Please explain Virtual PC/XP Mode

[dreamweaver 547]

I'm struggling to fully understand Virtual PC & XP mode.

Am guessing this is a little like Sun Virtual Box or VM Ware. So if I install Virtual PC & XP mode in Windows 7 Pro, does that mean that a program made for XP will run in Windows 7.

Also, if XP is running within Windows 7, is it protected by the same internet security application that is running in 7 Pro? And is there any advantage to not installing this - less processor or RAM use?

Am planning to put this in a Toshiba L300 on a formatted HDD as a clean install to replace Vista.

 

[kronwhon]

Keep in mind that XP Mode runs at the processor level, and as such, requires a processor with Virtualization Technology.. one minute for a link.

 

[kronwhon]

Although OEMs have been shipping hardware virtualization in PCs for three years, hardware virtualization is not available in all PCs—so even if your PC is new, it may not have hardware virtualization. Additionally, those PCs with hardware virtualization have it turned off by default, so you will need to turn on the hardware virtualization capability before you can use it.

Windows Virtual PC: Configure BIOS

 

[pparks1]

Windows Virtual PC is the same concept as VMWare or Sun Virtual Box. However, even though it requires hardware virtualization support, the performance of Windows Virtual PC and XP Mode is pretty bad compared to VMWare or Sun VirtualBox which do not require the hardware virtualization components.

XP mode is the technical name for a licensed and activated copy of Windows XP that you can run within 7 Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate. You are not entitled to this license with Home Basic or Home Premium.

XP Mode allows you access to installed applications within the VM on the host computer...however the VM does have to be running. It just runs the app within a window on the host...although the processing and such is coming from the virtual machine. VMWare does the same thing with their Unity functionality.

You have to install AV's and the like within a VM. It's just like having a second physical computer.

 

[kronwhon]

Security is handled separately from Windows 7

See the deployment guide at:
Download details: Deploying Windows XP Mode

"you must install your antivirus software in the Windows XP VM, even though it’s already running on the host computer"

and yes, it does require extra RAM and hard disk space:

"
Hardware Virtualization Technology enabled
1 GHz 32-bit / 64-bit processor required
Memory (RAM)

• 2GB memory or higher recommended

Recommended 15 GB hard disk space per virtual Windows environment"

from
Windows Virtual PC: Requirements

The standard Windows 7 requirement is 1 GB ram

 

[dreamweaver 547]

Looking at these posts, and this is obviously a matter of opinion, XP mode looks like something which is a lot of effort for not much in return.

Surely from a design point a new operating system such as Windows 7 should incorporate within its kernel the capacity to have software made for XP, Vista etc. running on it as a default. That, to me would have made more sense, rather than going down the VM route.

I am not sure I can see an advantage to this at the moment. Judging from my experiences with Virtual Box, I couldn't wait to get back to the host system.

Who is going to run a program on XP mode and then move back to Windows 7? Is there sharing of files?!

 

[pparks1]

Looking at these posts, and this is obviously a matter of opinion, XP mode looks like something which is a lot of effort for not much in return.

Well, I would disagree wholeheartedly with this. As a systems admin, I find virtualization to be one on the hottest technologies over the past 5 years. I actually do very little within my actual machine...but do tons of stuff within the virtual machines that I run.

The returns are huge to the right person
#1). Total sandbox. If you screw it up, you don't screw up your main machine
#2). Can EASILY backup the whole system by backing up 1 virtual hard drive file
#3). Gives ability to setup little mini networks and learn how to manage servers and workstations
#4). Provides very easy area to play with other operating systems like Linux to learn how they work
#5). Ability to create snapshots and go back are invaluable for writing documentation and learning something new.
#6). Extremely fast reboots when setting up things which do require numerous reboots.
#7). Ability to move it to different hardware and easily share with other people.

 

[Lee]

Some truly excellent point pparks1. Been using VM's long before Microsoft bought out PC. They are an excellent tool especially for playing in the sandbox. It just to bad someone hasn't come up with a good VM for Mac OS X 10.xx.

 

[HughShaw]

Some truly excellent point pparks1. Been using VM's long before Microsoft bought out PC. They are an excellent tool especially for playing in the sandbox. It just to bad someone hasn't come up with a good VM for Mac OS X 10.xx.

I tried out MAC OS X Leopard 10.5.5 in VMware just to play around with it a bit. It's OK I guess, but I ended up not having the patience to learn a new OS at the moment.

Edit: I did notice that the mouse was acting a bit choppy in the virtual OS X, but maybe that was because I didn't install VMware tools.

 

[dreamweaver 547]

Sorry, I've had password problems, so there have been delays in my response.

My main point is that if Microsoft introduced Virtual PC/XP mode, then surely this isn't any different to installing VirtualBox or VMWare within Windows 7 and running Vista, XP, 2000 etc.

I know that in VirtualBox if you get a virus in a virtual o/s you just delete the partition and the main system is unaffected. I imagine that this is similar for Windows Virtual PC.

What would have been better is something where you can run programs made for XP, 2000 etc. in W7 directly.

 

[kronwhon]

What would have been better is something where you can run programs made for XP, 2000 etc. in W7 directly.

Hi Dreamweaver,

XP mode allows this. You still have to install windows xp separately, but you can place shortcuts directly on your Windows 7 desktop for your XP apps, and they will run without the user even knowing that XP Mode exists.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/features/compare.aspx

the feature is called seamless application launching

 

[dreamweaver 547]

That makes sense, though hopefully Windows 7 can pick up applications that are used in Vista.

I am guessing that Compatibility Mode would be a better option and is also available in all Win 7 versions?

 

[kronwhon]

As a rule of thumb, if it works on Vista, it should work on 7 as well.

You can use this site to search for specific software and hardware that has been compatibility tested by MS:

https://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/partner/submission.aspx

If your app is not listed here, then it is best to contact the developer and ask if they support Windows 7.

 

[dreamweaver 547]

Thanks - I will look into this.