Windows 7's new feature: Windows XP Mode

[blackroseMD1]

Thanks to Rafael Rivera for this info.

Rafael Rivera and Paul Thurrott reveal a new Windows 7 application compatibility feature called Windows XP Mode. Yes, it’s that "secret new feature" you’ve been hearing about…

Over a month ago, we were briefed about a secret Microsoft technology that we were told would be announced alongside the Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) and would ship in final form simultaneously with the final version of Windows 7. This technology, dubbed Windows XP Mode (XPM, formerly Virtual Windows XP or Virtual XP, VXP), dramatically changes the compatibility story for Windows 7 and, we believe, has serious implications for Windows development going forward. Here’s what’s happening.
XPM is built on the next generation Microsoft Virtual PC 7 product line, which requires processor-based virtualization support (Intel and AMD) to be present and enabled on the underlying PC, much like Hyper-V, Microsoft’s server-side virtualization platform. However, XPM is not Hyper-V for the client. It is instead a host-based virtualization solution like Virtual PC; the hardware assistance requirement suggests this will be the logical conclusion of this product line from a technological standpoint. That is, we fully expect future client versions of Windows to include a Hyper-V-based hypervisor.

Windows XP Mode running Word 2003 under XP and Word 2007 under Windows 7.
XP Mode consists of the Virtual PC-based virtual environment and a fully licensed copy of Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3). It will be made available, for free, to users of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions via a download from the Microsoft web site. (That is, it will not be included in the box with Windows 7, but is considered an out-of-band update, like Windows Live Essentials.) XPM works much like today’s Virtual PC products, but with one important exception: As with the enterprise-based MED-V (Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization) product, XPM does not require you to run the virtual environment as a separate Windows desktop. Instead, as you install applications inside the virtual XP environment, they are published to the host (Windows 7) OS as well. (With shortcuts placed in the Start Menu.) That way, users can run Windows XP-based applications (like IE 6) alongside Windows 7 applications under a single desktop.
Obviously, XPM has huge ramifications for Windows going forward. By removing the onus of legacy application compatibility from the OS, Microsoft can strip away deadwood technology from future versions of Windows at a speedier clip, because customers who need to run older applications can simply do so with XPM. For Windows 7 specifically, XPM is a huge convenience, especially for Microsoft’s corporate customers, who can of course control XPM behavior via standard Microsoft administration and management technologies like Active Directory (AD) and Group Policy (GP). And it significantly recasts the Windows 7 compatibility picture. Before, Microsoft could claim that Windows 7 would be at least as compatible as Windows Vista. Now, they can claim almost complete Windows XP compatibility, or almost 100 percent compatibility with all currently running Windows applications.
We’ve both been using and testing Virtual XP for over a month and we we’ve been dying to communicate what we’ve discovered, as you might imagine. So here’s what you can expect. Paul will publish a high-level screenshot gallery on the SuperSite for Windows showing off Windows XP Mode and what it’s like to run Windows XP and Windows 7 applications side-by-side. On Within Windows, Rafael will provide a deep technical dive into Windows XP Mode and explain how it works and how you can make it work the way you want. Later, Paul will add a Windows XP Mode article to his Windows 7 Feature Focus series as well. And of course we’ll be covering this feature in-depth in "Windows 7 Secrets," which will be published by Wiley & Sons later this year.
Thanks for reading!
Paul and Rafael


Within Windows

 

[LePoilu]

I've just read that.

I knew that they worked on simily things like MED-V.. but never expected that Seven will include it!

It's a really good news, and I hop the real starting point for enterprise upgrade !

XP is definitly dead !

(Shame that it's not "out of box, and only for pro/ultimate)

 

[swarfega]

Wow! This is really interesting and a very useful feature. Particularly for people who want to run older software.

Windows XP v7 perhaps

Think this is included in the 7100 leak everyones installing?

 

[zapppa]

Wow! This is really interesting and a very useful feature. Particularly for people who want to run older software.

also for games?

 

[blackroseMD1]

Wow! This is really interesting and a very useful feature. Particularly for people who want to run older software.

Windows XP v7 perhaps

Think this is included in the 7100 leak everyones installing?

No, it's not included in the this leak/RC...you will have to download it from Microsoft's website. Still, it's a pretty awesome function to have a fully licensed XP SP3 in Windows 7.

 

[LePoilu]

Wow! This is really interesting and a very useful feature. Particularly for people who want to run older software.

Windows XP v7 perhaps

Think this is included in the 7100 leak everyones installing?

It's not "out of the box"

also for games?

Based on new VirtualPC. Maybe this one support 3D hardware acceleration (not the case in VPC2007)

 

[myzr7]

I've just read that.

I knew that they worked on simily things like MED-V.. but never expected that Seven will include it!

It's a really good news, and I hop the real starting point for enterprise upgrade !

XP is definitly dead !

(Shame that it's not "out of box, and only for pro/ultimate)

Wonderful for some but not for everyone. Yeah Mom I can make your software from your old machine work all I need to do is upgrade your new OS. Just a little more time and money then its all free and good. Seriously MS why leave Home Premium out in the cold. Seems to me thats who would need it the most!

 

[Studulike]

Bit more info here:

Windows 7 to have an 'XP mode' | Beyond Binary - CNET News

 

[swarfega]

Wonderful for some but not for everyone. Yeah Mom I can make your software from your old machine work all I need to do is upgrade your new OS. Just a little more time and money then its all free and good. Seriously MS why leave Home Premium out in the cold. Seems to me thats who would need it the most!

I agree there, youd think Home users would use it more. Theyre just trying to make ultimate seem more worth the extra money.

 

[napilopez]

I agree there, youd think Home users would use it more. Theyre just trying to make ultimate seem more worth the extra money.

I disagree actually. I haven't had any trouble with XP apps that a "mom" would use. Most of the application incompatibilities come with more powerful apps that delve deeper into the system, which tends to happen with business users and stuff. I really doubt moms and other less tech saavy casuals will really need such a feature.

 

[Deathsink]

I disagree actually. I haven't had any trouble with XP apps that a "mom" would use. Most of the application incompatibilities come with more powerful apps that delve deeper into the system, which tends to happen with business users and stuff. I really doubt moms and other less tech saavy casuals will really need such a feature.

This is really good to hear.

 

[Win7User512]

Interesting...but when did Virtual PC get to version 7?

 

[SiliconAddict]

Meh. While I think enterprise customers will take a serious look at this I can guarantee you there are three big question the all will have for MS before they go anywhere near Win 7 with XP Mode

1. How is this virtualized environment sandboxed from the rest of the network, read the networking stack in Win7 and how is it sandboxed from the rest of the system.

2. Does this mean they now need to patch anything that comes out for Windows 7 AND Windows XP. If so you just doubled your testing load prior to patch deployment.

3. What are the base system requirement for Win 7 + XP Mode and what performance can you get off of real world 3Ghz P4's and early 2Ghz C2D's. Then there is the memory footprint needed for both OS's to run. One of the bigger reasons why companies didn't bit on Vista was the hardware requirement. If the requirements for Vista = (Win 7 + XP Mode) Its a wash to get on the latest and greatest if it means you need to drop money on new hardware. Also there is overhead on laptops. Just how badly does this impact battery performance. Because the idea is that compatibility is no longer an issue. Well it it impacts battery life in a big way it certainly is.


Don't get me wrong. All of the questions above may very well have been worked out by MS already. I'm just saying that IT folk aren't idiots...well most aren't. Most don't automatically accept something at face value. There are almost always underlying factors involved in rolling out something new and the pros and cons are always weighed. I will be interested in finding out more about this as we get more details.

 

[SiliconAddict]

Interesting...but when did Virtual PC get to version 7?

Now

 

[looniam]

the posted article fails to mention you need to have a cpu with VT. the CNET article that is linked specifies it. to see if yours does:

intel quads:
Intel® Core™2 Quad processor numbers

intel duos:
Intel® Core™2 Duo processor numbers

all extreme and i7s have VT.

unfortunately because the workstations at my job have E4600 C2Ds it would still cost a buttload of $ to integrate to Win7.

sorry i am not familiar with AMD though the wikipedia article mentions which ones do have VT.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtualization_technology

 

[raj11650]

whats xp mode

is it xp mode compatibality something like that!!!

i got a tv turner which doest have driver in win 7
so i have to boot in xp if i want to get tv turner

so will this xp mode allow me to install tv turner on win 7!!!:sarc:

 

[Lebon14]

^ raj1402. The WinXP Mode is for SOFTWARES not drivers. Also, I'm pretty sure somewhere someone did an homebrew driver for your TV Tuner. Just search around and you'll find one and since W7 is compatible with Vista's drivers, you are in paradise.

P.S It was not confirmed that this WinXP Mode will only be for SOFTWARES. Just I thought this way since XP's drivers system is different from Vista & Win7.

 

[jimbo45]

Meh. While I think enterprise customers will take a serious look at this I can guarantee you there are three big question the all will have for MS before they go anywhere near Win 7 with XP Mode

1. How is this virtualized environment sandboxed from the rest of the network, read the networking stack in Win7 and how is it sandboxed from the rest of the system.

2. Does this mean they now need to patch anything that comes out for Windows 7 AND Windows XP. If so you just doubled your testing load prior to patch deployment.

3. What are the base system requirement for Win 7 + XP Mode and what performance can you get off of real world 3Ghz P4's and early 2Ghz C2D's. Then there is the memory footprint needed for both OS's to run. One of the bigger reasons why companies didn't bit on Vista was the hardware requirement. If the requirements for Vista = (Win 7 + XP Mode) Its a wash to get on the latest and greatest if it means you need to drop money on new hardware. Also there is overhead on laptops. Just how badly does this impact battery performance. Because the idea is that compatibility is no longer an issue. Well it it impacts battery life in a big way it certainly is.


Don't get me wrong. All of the questions above may very well have been worked out by MS already. I'm just saying that IT folk aren't idiots...well most aren't. Most don't automatically accept something at face value. There are almost always underlying factors involved in rolling out something new and the pros and cons are always weighed. I will be interested in finding out more about this as we get more details.

C'mon guy -- what planet are you on.

You can run NOW decently performing XP VM's on a 1GB laptop running VMWARE. -- OK this won't run games or other stuff but works fine for Windows "Corporate front ends" like SAPGUI, ORACLE etc etc. and a load of real time XP Stock exchange data retrieval stuff etc etc.

The hardware you are talking about (especially if this is built into W7 itself) will run this without batting an eyelid. Great move by MS BTW.

Don't forget the way Virtual machines actually run means you can in no way compare their needs 1:1 with a real machine.

You can still do an awful lot on a 512MB XP virtual machine that you wouldn't even THINK of trying on a 512MB Real machine.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[bigmamamonk]

Guys isn't this bad even though it provides 100% compatibility?

I mean a virtual machine provides quite a bit of overhead so I kind of doubt performance might be optimal using XP Mode!! :shock:

If Win 7 would have been compatible without such workarounds I guess it would have been much better!

 

[jimbo45]

Guys isn't this bad even though it provides 100% compatibility?

I mean a virtual machine provides quite a bit of overhead so I kind of doubt performance might be optimal using XP Mode!! :shock:

If Win 7 would have been compatible without such workarounds I guess it would have been much better!

Hi there
Didn't you read the post in the thread just above yours.

1) Virtual machines don't necessarily cause much overhead -- what they DO need however is OODLES OF RAM and enough disk space for the Guest OS and its applications. Since Disk space is incredibly cheap these days only sufficient RAM will necessarily be needed. For a lot of comapatabilty "Officy" stuff you'll probably be able to run it on a 512MB Virtual machine which won't have any trouble running even on a moderate Office workplace desktop - which usually has a pretty standard 2GB RAM in it these days. Even if the equipment is OLD it will still have 1GB RAM -- still OK for a 512MB Virtual machine. CPU is very rarely an issue for VM's unless you are running some really hideously complex CPU bound application on the VM like a Weather forecasting run etc.

2) A lot of stuff for ALL sorts of reasons won't be compatable with W7 -- for example as I've often said hardware for which the manufactuer has long since gone out of business.

It's very easy to look at this from a Single Users point of view -- for example --junk that old printer I can get another one. Normally not too much of an issue.

BUT: Replicate that several hundred times in a large network with equipment costing from hundreds of dollars to several thousand (or more) and its a different ballgame - and besides there just might not currently be any equivalent hardware.

No in this case Microsoft have got it RIGHT - but we of course will need to see how it will be implemented in practice.

Cheers
jimbo