Windows 7 - Windows XP Mode - Install and Setup

Information

Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 makes it easy to install and run your applications for Windows XP 32-bit directly from your Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit 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 Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows 7 Enterprise users the flexibility to run many older productivity applications in a virtual Windows XP environment on a Windows 7-based PC.

Note

Windows Virtual PC (step 1 below) 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. For more detailed information about Windows Virtual PC, see Windows Virtual PC: Documentation

Tip

To Uninstall Windows XP Mode - Open Control Panel (All items view), click on Programs and Features, and select Virtual Windows XP. To Uninstall Windows Virtual PC - Open Control Panel (All items view), click on Programs and Features, click on the View installed updates link in the left pane, then select Windows Virtual PC (KB958559).

Warning

System Requirements: You must pass the Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool to determine whether your PC works with Windows XP Mode. 1 GHz 32-bit / 64-bit processor required Memory (RAM) 1.25 GB required, 2 GB memory recommended Recommended 15 GB hard disk space per virtual Windows environment Supported host (your computer) operating system: Windows 7 Home Basic Windows 7 Home Premium Windows 7 Enterprise Windows 7 Professional Windows 7 Ultimate NOTE: Windows XP Mode is only available in Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate. Supported guest (virtual machine) 32-bit only operating system: Windows XP Virtual Applications feature is supported only on Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) Professional Windows Vista Virtual Applications feature is supported only on Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Ultimate Windows 7 Virtual Applications feature is supported only on Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate

1. Download the 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) version of Windows Virtual PC for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7.

A) Double click on the downloaded installation file.

Example:
Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu
or
Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu

B) Click on Yes. (See screenshot below)

C) Click on the I Accept button. (See screenshot below)

D) When it is finished, click on the Restart Now button. (See screenshot below)
WARNING: This will restart your computer immediately. Be sure to save and close anything that you have open first.

2. Download the 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) version of Windows XP Mode for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7.

A) Double click on the downloaded WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe installation file.
NOTE: The part of the name in red will vary for you depending on what language you selected.

B) Click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)

C) Click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)

D) If prompted by UAC, click on Yes.

E) Check the Launch Virtual Windows XP box, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)

3. Check the I accept box, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)

4. Type in a password and type it in again to confirm it, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you would like to be logged on automatically whenever you open Virtual Windows XP (step 10), then check the Remember credentials box.

5. Select (dot) the Help protect my computer by turning on Automatic Updates now box, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)

6. You will now see this for a few moments. (See screeshot below)

7. If you did not check the Remember credentials box in step 4, then you will need to enter your password entered in step 4 and click on OK. If you did, then skip this and continue on to step 8. (See screenshot below)

8. The Virtual Windows XP window will now open. You are now in Windows XP Mode. (See screenshot below)

9. To Close Virtual Windows XP -

A) Click on the X in the upper right corner of the window like you would any other window in Windows 7. (See screenshot above)

OR

B) In the Virtual Windows XP window, click on Action (menu bar) and Close.

10. To Open Virtual Windows XP -

A) Open the Start Menu.

B) Click on All Programs, expand Windows Virtual PC folder, and double click on the Virtual Windows XP shortcut. (See screenshot below)

11. Installing a Program in Virtual Windows XP -
NOTE: You would install a program in Virtual Windows XP just like you would in Windows 7 with the same access to everything in Windows 7. For example, hard drives, DVD drives, USB drives, Windows 7 folders and files, etc.....

A) After you have installed any program in Virtual Windows XP, you will notice that there will now be a shortcut to it also in the Windows 7 Start Menu. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Double clicking on the shortcut in the Windows 7 Start Menu will open and run the program in Windows XP Mode. You can now move or copy this Windows XP Mode program shortcut where you like in Windows 7 for easy use.