Setting up Windows XP mode for all users

[tewas]

Hi,
I'm trying to set up Windows XP mode in such way that everyone could use it. I did that with local admin, created virtual XP machine and installed software on it. I am able to use the software in win7 as local admin, however i run into problems once i log in as regular domain user. When i log in as a domain user (just regular user without any privileges) and try to launch program that is installed in XP mode i get following message:

The virtual machine configuration names 'Windows XP Mode' could not be found.

I'm thinking that i did not set up XP mode in such way that all users could use it. Does anyone know how to fix this, or ideas how i can make it work? The bottom line is that domain users will be able to use application (it has tons of problems with native Win7 environment and i thought XP mode will do the trick)

Thank you

 

[Dinesh]

This tutorial will help you: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8247-windows-xp-mode-install-setup.html

 

[tewas]

Hi,
I have that done, however when i log in to Win 7 machine, only administrator can use the program that is installed on virtual machine.
I put the icon pointing to the program on the virtual machine and when i click to launch that program i get the error message (first post)
I'm starting to believe that Virtual XP is individual for each user that logs in to the Win7 machine. Does anyone have setup that allows multiple windows 7 users to launch program on same virtual machine?

 

[skiwi]

I have the same question.
Is it possible to set up one virtual machine (say for all users (ie Public)) that all standards users can share use of ?

 

[andy5224]

Win XP Mode - Public

Yes, you can set up Win XP Mode for all users on a Win 7 platform.
Create your image exactly how you want everyone to see it when they open. You can even join a domain and pull down any credentials you have.
The actual image file (.VHD) will be in the following directory:
C:\Users\USER_NAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines

Take that VHD (it should be quite large..several Gb) and COPY it to a local, public folder. The Public folder is found under C:\Users. I created a folder called VM Users. Default name of the file you're looking for is Windows XP Mode.vhd

Log out of the Win 7 machine and have another user log in...I'm still assuming this is an Enterprise environment so they will log into the Domain with their credentials.

Have them go to Start All Programs WIndows Virtual PC and launch Windows Virtual PC (NOT XM Mode!). Give the name whatever you wish and set the RAM to whatever you wish (as much as you can spare!) and on the next screen, select "Use an existing virtual hard disk" and browse to the folder and .VHD your copied (in my example, C:\Users\Public\VM Users\Windows XP Mode.vhd) - hit "Create".

Voila! You are logging in to the same VM that everyone else can log into. Copy this VHD to any machine you need users to have this exact image. I suggest you disjoin the Domain and give the machine name a generic name that will be changed once it's on the next machine. NOTE: Newest research shows that running Sysprep (or any other kind of SID removal tool) is really unnecessary. I got this information direct from Microsoft.

A couple of big advantages here (obvious to some, perhaps not to all readers) is you can have a copy of the vhd elsewhere as a master of the image (assuming you're an Administrator of the image) and it appears as though it is not platform specific. We've been able to copy this image file across a couple platforms we have here (in our case we have Lenovo desktops and Dell laptops...no problems making the virtual machine work perfectly).

Good luck!

 

[tewas]

Andy,
Thanks a lot for this info. I will try your setup and i think it should work.
Your assumption is correct, we are using enterprise environment with domain and users are using their credentials to log in.

 

[andy5224]

You may ask your Domain Admin folks (if that's not you) if they are looking at an Enterprise solution for virtualization. Our folks are and it's called MED-V. In fact our guru's are going to sign a contract with Microsoft to use this as our solution (for some reason I can't quite figure out - Win XP Mode is FREE!) so we've been told we can't roll it out as a "solution" to our group. We can, however, use it for a few folks so this is why I created the steps above. It was very successfully tested in our Lab so...it should definitely work for you. Don't forget to mirror your access Groups (especially Administrator) when you create the master VHD.