very fussy about which versions of Windows it would install. It would not
install the Home version, but would install some versions of XP Pro. Sometimes
it would accept a version, but then the installation would not work. When I did
get it installed, it did not allow me to use my sound card or usb devices and it
had no shared folder. It did not have the ability to cut and paste between
Windows and Linux, nor could you drag and drop.

Win4Lin Pro has come a long way since your last use. Version 5 is a mature
product with simple DEB package install and then create your Guest O/S by
installing the Windows O/S media. Any newbie can do it now!

I recommend that you try the latest version which is optimized for Ubuntu.
You may just like it now!