Windows 7: Using the XP Mode in VirtualBox

I installed VirtualBox yesterday, and now have decided I don't want Windows Virtual PC anymore. I want to have a virtual XP machine in VirtualBox instead.



Is there any way to convert the XP Mode file provided by Microsoft to a format usable by Virtual Box?

If that is an .iso of XP, the answer is yes. Instructions are here - don't get confused by the Windows 7 title. Works just as well for XP, Vista, Ubuntu or any other.

Unfortunately not. It is not an ISO, just an installer from MS. I do not want to have to pay for a copy, just use the one Microsoft provides for Professional and Ultimate users.

Download Windows XP Mode

you can install the following plugin to use Microsoft XP Mode vhd file inside vbox:

VMLite XP Mode Plugin for VirtualBox released

Thank you. Looks like that will work.

Do what I did.

1. Download Windows XP mode from the microsoft site
2. Using WinRAR, extract the exe file
3. rename xpm. to xpm.rar
4. extract the file with VHD in the name and the file named KEY
5. Rename key to a txt file so you can get the key
6. Rename the VHD to .vdi and it will load in VirtualBox.

When you startup, it will work a bit as it still sets up the intergration components of Windows Virtual PC. After you can log in, I suggest you install Guest additions.

I guess the VMlite didn't work. Now XP Mode is asking me to activate. Any way to get around this legally?

If you install vmlite plugin, it should auto activate.

Not sure what happened the first time. I installed the vmlite plugin, then uninstalled it. I then booted up the machine in VirtualBox, and it asked me to activate.

I did the exact same thing this time, and it's not asking me to activate/

Well, I just got the activation notice. Thanks to this solution, I now have the key. Thank you!