Running a program built for Win 95?

AstaLaVista said:

If XP runs based on the same platform as NT or Win 2000 then Yes, 16-bit apps are supported.

+1 on just running a Virtual PC on your Win 7... that is what I do on my office PC. I run Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit and I also run Windows Virtual PC for those apps that require XP or less.

Download Windows XP Mode

Extremely easy to install and run... even I was able to do so!

Please be aware that XP mode, which is what the OP would need to get XP with Virtual PC, is only supported under Windows 7 Enterprise, Professional, and Ultimate...

Note: Windows XP Mode is only available in Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate.

Source: Windows Virtual PC: Requirements

According to the OP's specs, he has Premium.

Yes, Virtual PC runs on all (or most) iterations of Windows 7, but Virtual PC with XP Mode only runs on noted systems.

strollin said:

I have Windows 95 running in a VMWare Player VM on my Win 7 Ult 64-bit machine so virtualization will definitely work.

However, to set up a VM, the OP will need a copy of Windows 95 to install inn the VM.

This is where the difference in VM software comes in. In Virtual PC with XP Mode, you get XP for free. With WM Ware or any other, you need your own copy.

And no, I'm not arguing which is better, my only point is that with Virtual PC/XP Mode, you get XP free. However since the OP's version of Windows doesn't qualify, it's a moot point, and in that case I personally may go with VM Ware Player as that's what I'm using now to run Windows 8 in.

Also be aware that Virtual PC does NOT support accelerated 3D gaming. However, if you run a version of XP in VM Ware Player it should run 3D gaming as discussed here: running star wars kotor 2 problems?

My bad, I did not check the specs... I don't know why I usually assume that most people running 64 bit are running Ultimate .

It's a common mistake; we all do it

I managed to obtain a boot disc for Win 95 and I wanna try dual boot.
how do I ensure my existing Win 7 setup is left unharmed?

sygnus21 said:

It's a common mistake; we all do it

Is there any way I can bypass MS restrictions to use Virtual XP?

strollin said:

I have Windows 95 running in a VMWare Player VM on my Win 7 Ult 64-bit machine so virtualization will definitely work.

However, to set up a VM, the OP will need a copy of Windows 95 to install inn the VM.

do you know of any good tutorials?

luckyrick said:

I managed to obtain a boot disc for Win 95 and I wanna try dual boot.
how do I ensure my existing Win 7 setup is left unharmed?

You won't be able to dual-boot with newer hardware with Windows 95. Windows 95 can only handle the hardware made for the time period. Anything newer and it will not work. You will have to use a virtual machine to install Windows 95.

luckyrick said:

sygnus21 said:

It's a common mistake; we all do it

Is there any way I can bypass MS restrictions to use Virtual XP?

No; however, if it could....

1. It would be in violation of Microsoft's EULA agreement.
2. It could be considered a form of piracy

That said, you should be able to find a copy of XP dirt dirt cheap. And VMware Player is free. Those two together would give you what you want, and then some.

Richardc269 said:

luckyrick said:

I managed to obtain a boot disc for Win 95 and I wanna try dual boot.
how do I ensure my existing Win 7 setup is left unharmed?

You won't be able to dual-boot with newer hardware with Windows 95. Windows 95 can only handle the hardware made for the time period. Anything newer and it will not work. You will have to use a virtual machine to install Windows 95.

Agree. And as an example, I tried building a Windows 98 machine and had a heck of a time getting parts to work together. Motherboards, hard drives, sound & video had to be old school for 98 to work.

Here's the post: Building a Windows 98 machine