Windows 7 sports the new XP Mode, which allows you to run Windows XP in a Virtual Machine. This is great for running legacy applications that refuse to run in Vista or Windows 7 new security model. This is a very welcome addition to the new OS, and should solve a lot of complaints that businesses and home users alike have been having.
Windows 7 sports the new XP Mode, which allows you to run Windows XP in a Virtual Machine. This is great for running legacy applications that refuse to run in Vista or Windows 7 new security model. This is a very welcome addition to the new OS, and should solve a lot of complaints that businesses and home users alike have been having.
I decided to install it and give it a try. First thing is first when installing XP Mode: download it from Microsoft’s download page. It takes a few steps to get it installed, as you are installing the Virtual PC application, then adding the Windows XP Virtual Machine. It will require a reboot, but once everything is installed, you’ll be ready to launch Windows XP inside of Windows 7, and be supported by Microsoft.
Sure, people have been using Virtualization for years to run legacy OS’s inside of others (VirtualPC, VirtualBox, DOSBox, etc.), but this includes a licensed copy of Windows XP SP3 and is ready to go from Microsoft.
After you have installed XP Mode, you can launch it from the Start menu, under All Programs, Windows Virtual PC, then click Windows Virtual XP. At the first run, you should see a few screens to get you started. First, the mandatory License Agreement we see often and love so much from Microsoft: