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]

Is there a way to just completely start fresh with this? I guess I messed things up a bit when I tried to change my username/remove my password, and now I'm not even able to log in. I tried uninstalling and installing it, but it just gave me the same error that I had the wrong login information.

Hello Noles,

Check in your C:\Users\(user-name)\Virtual Machines folder to see the location of your Virtual Windows XP VHD and VMC files. They should be gone after you uninstall it below. If not delete them to start clean again when you reinstall Virtual Windows XP.



You should be able to select Virtual Windows XP in Programs and Features to uninstall Windows XP Mode.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[The Cool Guy]

removed broken image link

Shawn does the msi package contain the whole installer of windows xp or should we insert the windows xp disc?

Thanks

 

[Noles]

Hello Noles,

Check in your C:\Users\(user-name)\Virtual Machines folder to see the location of your Virtual Windows XP VHD and VMC files. They should be gone after you uninstall it below. If not delete them to start clean again when you reinstall Virtual Windows XP.

View attachment 11511

You should be able to select Virtual Windows XP in Programs and Features to uninstall Windows XP Mode.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

I actually just reinstalled it again and it worked fine.

 

[Brink]

Noles, I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.

 

[Brink]

Shawn does the msi package contain the whole installer of windows xp or should we insert the windows xp disc?

Thanks

Hello The Cool Guy,

Yes, the Windows XP Mode MSI download will install XP completely in a virtual machine when Windows Virtual PC is already installed first.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Night Hawk]

Not only is XP complete there but you can also connect online and download the latest updates for XP to see those go on except for hardwares like video, sound, and other addons. The XP mode has a virtual video card and synthesizes sound using the existing onboard or sound card you normally use in 7.

The XP mode also has full access to all drives other then a second virrual drive available along with the virtual C it runs from. When installing Windows separately from an installation you only see the A=floppy, C=local hard drive, and E=dvd drive if installed. For some reason no other physical drives are seen with any custom install.

 

[The Cool Guy]

Hello The Cool Guy,

Yes, the Windows XP Mode MSI download will install XP completely in a virtual machine when Windows Virtual PC is already installed first.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Shawn, if it contains Windows XP in it, should we activate it with out own Product Key or is it already activated?

 

[Brink]

I do not believe that you will need to activate Windows XP Mode since I do not see a activation option.

 

[Night Hawk]

There isn't any need there since that is all self contained and not a separate OS as you would see with a normal installation. What that sees is the main gui lacking the ability to be used outside of the VPC beta.

It does everything else however while you are not able to get device drivers on for things like expansion cards and other devices. It's strictly intended for running older programs while isolating itself from any compatibility issues with 7.

 

[The Cool Guy]

Thanks a lot, Shawn and Night Hawk. +1 rep to you both.

 

[Cecy]

No Virtualization Technology

I'm sorry, I don't have the Virtualization Technology in my netbook.
Is there any other option without that?

Is there an estimated date when Win 7 will be officially released?
I guess that, after that, we will be able to find compatible drivers, right?

Thanks!!

 

[Brink]

Hello Cecy, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I'm sorry, but this would be a incompatible CPU hardware issue that you are having that does not support virtualization instead of Windows 7 or drivers.

You might see if you are able to use Virtual PC 2007 SP1 instead though to create a XP virtual machine with.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Mohsen]

error

hi
Virtualization Locked Off
SONY-VAIO-VGN-CS36GJ

help,






help,help,help

 

[darkassain]

hi
Virtualization Locked Off
SONY-VAIO-VGN-CS36GJ

help,
View attachment 19393

View attachment 19394

View attachment 19395

help,help,help

i am sorry Mohsen but unless there is a bios update or a option in the bios that enable such a feature,you will not be able to install XPM...

 

[Sands2]

Hi Guys

I cant get Windows6.1-KB958559-x64 to install on my Win7 64bit 7232 Build.

I run an e8500 on a Asus P5q3.

Intel ID check says the chip can

Bios says Virtualization Tech is enabled.

I did load Virtual XP mode first though. Is that the issue?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Maybe i need to try SunMicrosystems called VitualBox?

 

[Brink]

Hello Sands,

Windows6.1-KB958559-x64 should be installed first, then XP Mode. You might see if unistalling XP Mode will allow you to afterwards.

What error message, if any, are you getting?

 

[Sands2]

Hi Brink


Thank you for taking time to help me.

I uninstalled XPmode rebooted and again I cannot install VPC 64bit.

I get this:
http://www.sevenforums.com/Hi Brink...ot install VPC 64bit. I get this: <img src=

 

[Night Hawk]

One question is how to remove both once you have them on. There's no uninstall option for either to allow you to reinstall the Virtual PC first on the second attempt ahead of the XP mode. There's no listing for either seen in the Programs+Features as well as not seeing an uninstall option in the Start>All Programs folder.

Another thing would be installing the Virtual PC a second time to overwrite the first in order to correct any problems seen with the first install. You would follow that following a full system restart which most forget to do in order to install the XP mode the second time. Again a full restart will be needed for the initial startup. Sometimes it takes a few reboots before it will suddenly start running.

 

[copernicus]

There is a listing to remove it. Microsoft Virtual Machine(might be PC). Then just erase the virtual disks if you want.

 

[Night Hawk]

Virtual Windows XP is seen and maybe tied into both while the Virtual PC item itself is not seen there. Removing the XP mode and restarting the system before seeing the second install of that might work.