44. Windows XP Mode

There are many software application that simply will not work, or work well, on Windows 7 that work perfectly well on Windows XP. Although Windows 7 has backward compatibility with many applications it can be extremely annoying when you install an application that works perfectly well on Windows XP only to find that on the new operating system it refuses to function correctly.

With this in mind Microsoft has developed Windows XP Mode specifically for Windows 7. Windows XP Mode is a virtual environment which allows you to run older software in an XP environment but, at the same time, have it appear to be running within Windows 7.

Windows XP Mode comes in three sections. The first is Windows XP Mode itself which comprises a copy of Windows XP Professional complete with a pre-activated OEM (Original Equipment manufacturer) product key. The second part comprises Microsoft's Virtual PC application, and the third part consists of an optional update for computers that do not have the necessary Virtual Technology hardware in the form of either an Intel processor which supports VT or an AMD-V processor.

Necessary Components for Windows XP Mode

To be able to use Windows XP Mode you will require the following components:

Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate (other versions of Windows 7 are not supported).
Processor with VT (Virtual Technology,) either an Intel VT or an AMD-V processor. This is recommended but if your processor is not VT compatible you will need to download the Windows XP Mode update.

The Windows XP Mode applications available for download from: Windows XP Mode Application Download

Downloading

Click the link above to access the Microsoft Virtual PC download site.

Fig: 44-1 Windows Virtual PC Download Page Web Site
A yellow band will appear at the top of the web page. Click on the click here link to download and run the Windows Activation Technologies add on to allow you to start the download.

Fig: 44-2 The Run Add-on drop down menu.
Click the Run button to install the active X control.

Fig: 44-3 Windows Activation Technologies Active X Control
Once the Run Add-on has been installed you need to select the edition of Windows 7 that you are using from the Step 2 section of the web page.
Remember you can only use Windows XP Mode on Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate. If you select Premium, for example, the following message will appear: You are not eligible to download Windows XP Mode. You must have Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate to run Windows XP Mode. To upgrade visit Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade .

Fig: 44-4 Select the Windows 7 operating system version you are using.
After you have selected your Windows 7 version you next need to select your operating system language.

Fig: 44-5 Select your operating system language from the drop down menu list.
After you have selected your language a set of download buttons will appear in the Step 3 section of the web page. You will not need to download the Virtual PC Update unless your PCs hardware does not possess the required Virtual Technology requirements.

Fig: 44-6 Click the download options in sequence to download all of the relevant applications.
Installing Windows XP Mode
Next you need to install Windows XP Mode. Click on the XP Mode download and then, when the window below appears, Click the Run button.

Fig: 44-7 Click Run to start the installation.
On the Welcome to setup for Windows XP Mode, Click the Next button.

Fig: 44-8 To install Windows XP Mode, Click the Next button.
Specify the location for the Windows XP Mode files. The default is C:\Program Files\Windows XP Mode. Click the Next button to continue.

Fig: 44-9 Default location for the Windows XP Mode files.
Windows XP Mode will now start to install. You can check it's status via the progress bar.

Fig: 44-10 Installation progress window.
Another license agreement window will now appear. To continue you need to accept the license agreement by placing a check mark in the box next to the I accept the license terms option and then Click the Next button.

Fig: 44-11 Accept the license agreement and then Click Next.
Select the installation folder location and type in a suitable password. Confirm the password before Clicking the Next button.

Fig: 44-12 Installation folder and credential window.
Select the automatic updates option by clicking the radio button next to the Help protect my computer by turning on Automatic Updates now (recommended) option and then Click the Next button.

Fig: 44-13 Turn on Automatic Updates to protect your installation.
You are now ready to start the actual setup. Click the Start Setup button to continue.

Fig 44.14

Fig: 44-14 Click the Start Setup button.

The welcome screen will now appear. The progress bar indicates how setup is progressing.

Fig: 44-15 Welcome Screen.
As setup progresses further screens appear informing you about the product.

Fig: 44-16 What is Windows XP Mode?
Each window explains more about what Windows XP Mode does.

Fig: 44-17 Windows XP Mode progress
When you see the Installation Step 1 window you are almost finished.

Fig: 44-18 Installation step 1 window
Having now almost completed setup, Windows XP starts loading personal settings.

Fig: 44-19 Loading personal settings window.
Finally the Windows XP desktop appears indicating that setup has completed.

Fig: 44-20 The Windows XP Desktop.

Installing Windows Virtual PC
Once you have installed Windows XP Mode you next need to install Windows Virtual PC. To do this Click on the Windows Virtual PC setup file. The update installer will first search your computer.

Fig: 44-21 Standalone Installer searching for components.
When the installer asks you if you want to install the following software update, Click the Yes button.

Fig: 44-22 Click the Yes button to start the installation.
The License agreement will now appear. To accept the license agreement, Press the I Accept button.

Fig: 44-23 Licence terms.
Windows XP Mode will now begin to install.

Fig: 44-24 Installation progress bar.
After the installation has completed, Click the Restart Now button to restart your PC.

Fig: 44-25 Installation completed.
Remember that, if your processor does not support hardware assisted virtualization technology, you will now need to install the Windows XP Mode update you previously downloaded from the Windows XP Mode website.

Fig: 44-26 Microsoft Security Essentials opened in XP Mode from the Windows 7 start menu.