Windows 7: Is it worth creating XP mode in windows 7

In order to run virtual XP, I bought Windows 7 pro (64 bit) and installed today.
Before buying windows XP, I would like to ask you a simple question: How well XP mode runs under windows 7? Is it worth running XP mode?

My purpose is to use some programs which run only under XP,not under windows 7.
Your comment would be appreciated.

1. It depends how much RAM you can allocate to the virtual machine.

2. You will take a performance hit when you are in XP Mode, particularly when launching and shutting it down.

3. Bearing in mind it's a freebie from Microsoft, it is a cost effective way of running legacy programs that won't run under Windows 7.

4. Having used it myself, I'd recommend it as long as you don't expect Windows XP performance.

5. Having bought Windows 7 Pro, it would be a shame not to use XP Mode.

Windows XP Mode - Install and Setup

When I bought the win 7 computer, it came with 8GB RAM. Is that enough to run XP mode smoothly?

Yes, with 8GB available, you can give XP Mode up to 3.25GB.

However, I must stress, you'll get reasonable performance, but it won't be as quick as a native install of Windows XP SP3.

But as I said, you've paid for Windows 7 Professional so it defeats the object if you don't then give XP Mode a go.

If you decide you don't like it, just uninstall it.

However, there is an alternative and that's VMware Player: VMware Player: Run Windows 7, Chrome OS - Free Download for a Virtual PC

One thing to keep in mind (and I do like XP Mode) is that it "fakes" the hardware environment. This works fine for most XP programs, not at all for others. My housemate is a college professor and I tried to use it to get a Powerpoint plugin to work properly (good old Adobe apparently can't be troubled to write an effective update for their http://www.adobe.com/products/presenter/ $500+ software) and it refused to do the audio recording. (Which for that program is kind of the point...)

It never hurts to try, though. For many programs it can save you from the hassles of a dual-boot system.

In fact, I installed VMware player this afternoon. I realized that I got to have a new xp oem to complete XP mode (b/c I don't have a non-activated xp cd) My question is which one would you like to recommend between VMware player and Microsoft Virtual PC (sic).

It's a matter of personal choice really.

I've tried both and I do prefer VMware player if only for the aesthetics, but prefer XP Mode on cost grounds.

You don't need an XP disc, just download XP Mode (it's a freebie from Microsoft) from the Virtual PC site and install it.

You will need an XP disc if you use VMware player.

One important thing I forgot to mention and that is whichever virtual machine you use you'll need to go into the BIOS and enable hardware virtualization under the Power settings otherwise your virtual PC won't work.

Good to know about the BIOS issue. I want to take a look at BIOS tomorrow morning. I might ask you if I was not able to find a check box for HW Virtualization. My office desktop computer is Dell XPS.

You will find it in the Dell BIOS.

I've just checked the BIOS in my computer (HP Pavilion) and it is listed as Virtualization Technology.

The default setting is Disabled so you'll need to highlight the setting then choose Enable.

Save the change before you exit the BIOS and you should be good to go.

Can be I am misunderstanding something here, but to be sure I would like to remind you that XP Mode does not need any XP licence or product key. It is a fully working XP Pro SP3 virtual machine, free to install and use on Windows 7 Pro, Ultimate and Enterprise editions on Microsoft Virtual PC.

If you instead of free XP Mode want to install XP from your own install media, then you need a licence. However, there's nothing to gain regarding performance, so there's simply no reason not to use completely free, licenced XP Mode.

Kari