Windows XP Mode - Install and Setup

How to Install and Setup Windows XP Mode in Windows 7​

   Information

Windows XP Mode is 32-bit XP Pro SP3 virtual machine.

Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 makes it easy to install and run your applications for 32-bit Windows XP directly from your Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit based PC. It utilizes virtualization technology such as Windows Virtual PC to provide a Virtual Windows XP environment for Windows 7. Windows XP Mode provides only Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, or Enterprise users the flexibility to run many older productivity applications in a virtual Windows XP environment on a Windows 7-based PC.

UPDATE: Windows XP Mode now accessible to more PCs | Blogging Windows

   Note

Windows Virtual PC (step 1 below) is the latest Microsoft virtualization technology for Windows 7. It is the runtime engine for Windows XP Mode to provide a virtual Windows environment for Windows 7. With Windows Virtual PC, Windows XP mode applications can be seen and accessed from a Windows 7-based PC. For more detailed information about Windows Virtual PC, see Windows Virtual PC: Documentation

To find out whether your computer's CPU is capable of hardware-assisted virtualization. To check, download and run the Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool.

• If you receive the message “This computer is configured with hardware-assisted virtualization,” you can run Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode. See the instructions below.
• If you receive the error message "There is no hardware-assisted virtualization support in the system," your computer's CPU doesn't support hardware-assisted virtualization. You can still use Windows XP Mode by installing an update to Windows 7. See Why am I receiving errors about hardware-assisted virtualization (HAV) when I try to use Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC?. Be aware that XP Mode will run much better if hardware-assisted virtualization can be enabled.

   Tip

• To Uninstall Windows XP Mode
  • Open Control Panel (icons view), click on Programs and Features, and select Windows XP Mode.
• To Uninstall Windows Virtual PC
  • Open Control Panel (icons view), click on Programs and Features, click on the View installed updates link in the left pane, then select Windows Virtual PC (KB958559).

   Warning

Windows Virtual PC Requirements:

• 1 GHz 32-bit / 64-bit processor required
• Memory (RAM)
  • 1.25 GB required, 2 GB memory recommended
• Recommended 15 GB hard disk space per virtual Windows environment
• Supported host (your computer) operating system:
  NOTE: Windows XP Mode can only be installed on Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, and Windows 7 Enterprise.
  • Windows 7 Home Premium (32-bit or 64-bit)
  • Windows 7 Professional (32-bit and 64-bit)
  • Windows 7 Ultimate (32-bit and 64-bit)
  • Windows 7 Enterprise (32-bit and 64-bit)
• Supported guest (virtual machine) 32-bit only operating system:
  • Windows XP
    • Virtual Applications feature is supported only on Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) Professional
  • Windows Vista
    • Virtual Applications feature is supported only on Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Ultimate
  • Windows 7
    • Virtual Applications feature is supported only on Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate

EXAMPLE: Windows XP Mode

Here's How:
1. Go to the Windows XP Mode webpage, select your language, and click on the Continue button. (see screenshot below)

2. If you have not already, you will need to validate your Windows 7 first. Click on Install to install the Genuine Windows Validation Component, or follow on screen instructions. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You will need to have Windows 7 activated and cookies enabled to be able to do this.

3. Download and Install Windows XP Mode
A) Select your language, and click on the Download button for the version (ex: WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe) you want to download. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: The "N" version of Windows XP is for the European version of Windows.

B) Save the WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe file to your desktop.
C) Double click on the downloaded WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe installation file to start installing it.
NOTE: The part of the name in red will vary for you depending on what language you selected (step 1).

D) Click on the Next button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you like, you could click on Browse and select another location to save the VHD file for XP Mode to instead of the default location in the screenshot below.

E) Click on the Next button. (see screenshot below)

F) If prompted by UAC, click on Yes.

G) When Windows XP Mode is finished installing, click on the Finish button. (See screenshot below)

4. Download and Install Windows Virtual PC
A) At the Windows Virtual PC webpage, select your language, and click on the Continue button. (see screenshot below)

B) Select your language, and click on the Download button for either the Windows6.1-KB958559-x86-RefreshPkg.msu (32-bit) or Windows6.1-KB958559-x64-RefreshPkg.msu (64-bit) file for your same 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 version you have installed.

C) Save the Windows6.1-KB958559-x86-RefreshPkg.msu or Windows6.1-KB958559-x64-RefreshPkg.msu file to your desktop. (see screenshot below)

D) Double click on the downloaded Windows6.1-KB958559-x86-RefreshPkg.msu or Windows6.1-KB958559-x64-RefreshPkg.msu file to start installing it.

E) If prompted by UAC, click on Yes.
F) Click on Yes. (see screenshot below)

G) Click on the I Accept button. (see screenshot below)

H) When it is finished, click on the Restart Now button. (see screenshot below)
WARNING: This will restart your computer immediately. Be sure to save and close anything that you have open first.

I) When the computer is finished restarting, continue on to step 6 below.
5. To Open and Run Windows XP Mode
A) Open the Start Menu, then click on All Programs, expand the Windows Virtual PC folder, and double click on the Windows XP Mode shortcut. (see screenshot below)

6. Check the I accept box, then click on the Next button. (see screenshot below)

7. Type in a password and type it in again to confirm it, then click on the Next button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you would like to be logged on automatically whenever you open Windows XP Mode (step 5), then check the Remember credentials box.

8. Select (dot) the Help protect my computer by turning on Automatic Updates now box, then click on the Next button. (see screenshot below)

9. Click on the Start Setup button. (see screenshot below)

10. You will now see this for a few moments while Windows XP Mode is being setup. (see screeshot below)

11. When setup is finished and you did not check the Remember credentials box in step 7 above, then you will need to enter your password entered and click on OK. If you did, then skip this and continue on to step 12. (see screenshot below)

12. The Windows XP Mode - Windows Virtual PC window will now open. You are now in Windows XP Mode. (see screenshot below)

13. Next, be sure to install Integration Components and enable Integration Features.
NOTE: Sometimes this will be enabled for you automatically during installation.

14. Set Windows XP Mode Settings
A) In the Windows XP Mode window, click on Tools (menu bar) and Settings. (see screenshot above)

B) In the left pane, select Close/Shut Down. (see screenshot below)

C) In the right pane, select (dot) Automatically close with the following action, then select Shut Down and click on OK. (see screenshot above)
15. To Close Windows XP Mode
A) Click on the X in the upper right corner of the Windows XP Mode window like you would any other window in Windows 7. (see screenshot below step 19)

OR

B) In the Windows XP Mode window, click on Action (menu bar) and Close. (see screenshot below step 16)
16. Installing a Program in Windows XP Mode
NOTE: You would install a program in Virtual Windows XP just like you would in Windows 7 with the same access to everything in Windows 7. For example, hard drives, DVD drives, USB drives, Windows 7 folders and files, etc.....
A) After you have installed any program (ex: CCleaner) in Windows XP Mode, you will notice that there will now also be a shortcut to it in the Windows 7 Start Menu in the Windows XP Mode Applications folder under Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Double clicking on the program's shortcut (ex: CCleaner) in the Windows 7 Start Menu when Windows XP Mode is closed will open and run the program in Windows 7 but as if it you were running it in Windows XP Mode. You could also move or copy this Windows XP Mode Applications shortcut where you like in Windows 7 for easy use.




That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Change Virtual Machine Settings in Windows Virtual PC
• How to Create a Virtual Machine in Windows Virtual PC
• How to Create Differencing Disks in Windows Virtual PC
• How to Delete a Virtual Machine Created with Windows Virtual PC
• How to Copy a Virtual XP Machine in Windows 7
• How to Add Limited User Accounts to Windows Virtual PC XP Mode
• How to Boot from a CD or DVD in a Windows Virtual PC
• How to Connect Windows Virtual PC to the Network
• How to Install, Enable, and Disable Windows Virtual PC Integration Features
• How to Select Host Devices to Share with Virtual Machines in Windows Virtual PC
• How to Enable the Built-in Administrator Account in Windows XP Mode
• How to Speed Up Performance of a Virtual Machine

 

[Brink]

Just one thing that may need to be noted:

The 3rd step in the update process, as I understand it, (as highlighted by airbot in another post) is not really needed if you have BIOS support for virtualization. Is that correct? So don't bother to download/install the last (Windows6.1-KB977206-x64.msu) if you have BIOS support for virtuallization. Right?

Hello Bit64z,

While the Windows XP Mode Update download may be optional for PCs with Hardware Assisted Virtualization Technology, it will not hurt anything to install it to be safe if one is not sure if they do or not. I installed it on my system with BIOS support, and it works without issue. I added a note though.

 

[theog]

Hi Shawn

I test XP mode out on an old P4-1800, ram 2g last week, works well, bit slow but OK.

Ray

 

[JerryNJ]

Wow, but I have W7 Home Premium, so it appears it will not run XP mode (old applications). That said, trying it did find Palm Desk Top and Synchronization as two of the many applications that my version of W7 could not run. I plowed ahead and ended with a sequence that looked hopeful, but failed. The process went into a Palm Desk Top Synchro mode, but alas, I could not establish a connection either USB Cable or USB IR Dongle.

 

[blockie]

Error when trying to start XP MODE

I followed the Xp Mode tutorial up until it was time to Open XP Mode. START.....PROGRAMS.......WINDOWS Virtual PC.......WINDOWS XP MODE and got a message( see attached) which told me "it won't work".
What might be wrong?

I am using W7 Ultimate 32bit.
3gh AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor
2 gb RAM
ASUS M3A78-EM Mother Board
More than 20gb free space on system disk prior to XP mode installation.

 

[blockie]

Working OK now. Second install did it.

 

[jiashutosh]

Window XP Mode

Is Window XP Mode is not for the windows 7 Home Basic (64 Bit) o s. If no please reply me how can I use this facility on my laptop(O. S.)

 

[Kari]

Hello Jiashutosh, welcome to the Seven Forums.

To use XP Mode you need to have Seven Professional, Ultimate or Enterprise.

Kari

 

[wysiwyg]

All this loading etc, and no one has yet remarked on what success, if any, they have had in using it for older applications etc.

So far I've tried two XP ONLY games and although both installed correctly, when you try to start them it asks for the disk, when the disk is already in,

By the way the games are Civilization IV and Alexander.

The Computer window shows the disk in the drive, right click to auto play, as the disk does not autoplay.

I may be missing something as I haven't used XP for nearly 3 years.

No trouble whatsoever downloading XP mode into 64 bit 7 pro

 

[sphred]

I don't know if I'm putting this in the right place. I have created VHD and then went through this tutorial perfect except that I wasn't watching close enough and let it create it's own VHD on my SSD instead of putting it on F where I had one created. I tried to change to it but I can't seem to do it.
is there a way to change it?
will it be faster on the SSD than on the old drive (WD 360)?

Brink; I tried to rep and it keeps telling me that I need to spread it around , but I have given rep to others in the mean time am I doing something wrong? Thanks anyway for both VHD and Virtual PC tutorials. This forum is the best I've found.

 

[Brink]

Hello Sphred, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Since Windows XP Mode installs like a program, you will just need to uninstall it from Programs and Features in the Control Panel first. Afterwards reinstall it, being sure to select your SSD instead, and the XP-Mode Update KB977206. It shouldn't take to long to do.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[sphred]

that makes perfect sense i thought i might be able to do it through tools. thanks

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Sphred.

Yeah, if it was a VHD that you created within Windows Virtual PC, then you could of just moved the VHD to the SSD, and changed the "Hard Disk 1" location in the virtual machine's settings to the new location of the VHD.

 

[sphred]

I like to play around with things from CNET and other places. Can I do that here and know that if I mess something up I can just delete and reinstall? This was why I wanted it as a sandbox of sorts.

 

[Brink]

Hello Sphred,

Sure, you would need to leave Windows Virtual PC installed, but you can uninstall Windows XP Mode and reinstall it and possibly Windows XP Mode Update to have a fresh Windows XP Mode again. It's not secured like a true sandbox though since Windows XP Mode does integrate some with your installed Windows 7. For example, being able to have shortcuts of installed program in Windows XP Mode in Windows 7 to run as if they were running in Windows XP Mode.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[sphred]

Thanx I figured that since it was integrated, but it's nice to hear it from someone who knows. Will have to keep sandboxie for the funny stuff I guess.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Sphred.

 

[boxterduke]

How can I run XP Mode without being a local admin on the host (physical) PC

 

[Brink]

Hello BoxterDuke,

You would have to have the administrator right click on the Windows XP Mode shortcut in your Start Menu, and Allow your user account at least Read & execute or above permissions to be able to.




Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[jnd53]

I have XP Mode working; I have a HTPC, the frontend software that I have been using for a long time, is no longer supported. I was able to load it in the xp mode and is working except for 1 big detail. I have a button that when depressed starts media player classic, problem is I have it set to start the mpc in windows 7 pro 64bit. IT starts no problem but it starts inside xp mode which of course will not run. I need to have mpc start in win 7. I tried mapping the C drive but that did not work either. The program still starts inside xp mode. Is there a way to start a program from xp mode desktop but run on the win 7 side? I use 2 monitors 1 for the frontend software 2nd for viewing.
Any Help is greatly appreciated...............
Jerry

 

[Kari]

Hello Jerry, welcome to the Seven Forums.

Because of the limitations of Remote Desktop Protocol, you can not start a program in remote client (virtual host) from remote host (virtual guest, XP Mode in your case). I just answered a similar question a few days ago, read this.

Kari