How to Install and Configure Virtual Windows XP Mode in Windows 7

[TheGreatOne]

Introduction to Virtual Windows XP Mode in Windows 7

Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 makes it easy to install and run many of your Windows XP productivity applications directly from a Windows 7-based PC. It utilizes virtualization technology such as Windows Virtual PC to provide a Virtual Windows XP environment for Windows 7.

Windows XP Mode provides a 32-bit Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (SP3) environment pre-loaded on a virtual hard disk. Client virtualization software, like Windows Virtual PC is a pre-requisite to use Windows XP Mode.

What is Windows Virtual PC?

Windows Virtual PC is the latest Microsoft virtualization technology for Windows 7. It is the runtime engine for Windows XP Mode to provide a virtual Windows environment for Windows 7. With Windows Virtual PC, Windows XP Mode applications can be seen and accessed from a Windows 7-based PC. Get more information about Windows Windows Virtual PC here: Windows Virtual PC: Documentation


System Requirements for Virtual Windows XP Mode:

• Supported Operating Systems: Windows 7 (Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, or Windows 7 Enterprise.)
  
  
• Hard disk requirement: 2GB for installing Windows XP Mode. Addtional 15GB of hard disk space for the virtual Windows environment.
  
  
• Note: You can use Windows Virtual PC to run Windows XP Mode on your computer. Windows Virtual PC requires processor capable of hardware virtualization, with AMD-V or Intel VT turned on in the BIOS.

[TheGreatOne]

Install Windows XP Mode in Windows 7

• Now Download the Windows Virtual PC Beta
  
  
• Based on the architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) of your computer, download the appropriate update package (Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu or Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu). Double click on the update package (Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu or Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu) and follow the instructions. Reboot your system to complete installation.
  
  
  • Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu : 32 bit\VirtualWindowsXP.msi
  • Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu : 64 bit\VirtualWindowsXP.msi
  
  
• Now Download Windows XP Mode Beta .
  
  
• Based on the architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) of your computer, download the appropriate installer (VirtualWindowsXP.msi). Double click on the installer and follow the instructions to complete the installation.
  
  
• On the download page choose the appropriate file name from the following options:
  
  
  • For 32-bit Windows 7 : 32 bit\VirtualWindowsXP.msi
  • For 64-bit Windows 7 : 64 bit\VirtualWindowsXP.msi
  
  
• First Install the the update KB 958559 that is the setup of Windows Virtual PC Beta you have downloaded .
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  After completing installation you need to restart the PC.
  
  
  
  
• After restarting install the downloaded VirtualWindowsXP.msi installation file.
  
  
  
• After completing installation If you'll prompted by UAC, click on Yes.

[TheGreatOne]

Configure Windows XP Mode in Windows 7

• After completing installation, You'll need to configure the Virtual XP mode.
  
  
• Launch the Virtual XP Mode.
  
  
  
  
  
• It will prompt You for the Password. Type password and again enter password to confirm it, then click on the Next.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Now in the next window you can turn on Automatic updates on XP mode as this is the recommended settings.
  
  
• Now the Setup will Configure the XP mode for First Use.This will take some time as per your PC specifications.

[TheGreatOne]

Using Virtual Windows XP mode

• After completing the configuration virtual PC opens the XP mode. And this XP Mode will have all the features of Windows XP.
  
  
• Following is the screenshot of Virtual Windows XP mode:
  
  
  
  
  
• To Close Virtual Windows XP : Click on X button or CTRL +ALT+ DEL button on the top of Virtual XP.
  
  
• Now to start Windows XP mode , In Start menu Choose Windows Virtual PC and select Virtual Windows XP.