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

 

[shailesh]

'Format' XP Mode

Managed to improve performance by increasing RAM allocation!

Something went wrong during setup of my application though, and now there are corrupted files I cannot uninstall. I want to 'format' XP mode. Can I do that by uninstalling and reinstalling? If yes, do I have to uninstall Windows Virtual PC also, or just uninstalling Windows XP Mode will suffice?

Also, will all the applications get removed on their own? Will the space allocated to XP Mode be automatically reallocated?

 

[Brink]

Hello Shailesh,

You would only have to uninstall and reinstall Windows XP Mode. No need to do the same with Windows Virtual PC.

Yes, when you uninstall Windows XP Mode through Programs and Features in the Control Panel, it will remove it and free up the space used by it.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Raargh]

Managed to improve performance by increasing RAM allocation!

Something went wrong during setup of my application though, and now there are corrupted files I cannot uninstall. I want to 'format' XP mode. Can I do that by uninstalling and reinstalling? If yes, do I have to uninstall Windows Virtual PC also, or just uninstalling Windows XP Mode will suffice?

Also, will all the applications get removed on their own? Will the space allocated to XP Mode be automatically reallocated?

Hi;

A tip if you can't get it to install and work - make sure that in Control Panel, under Programs and Features, Turn Windows features on or off, you have the Windows Virtual PC turned on! I did not, and it took hours before I found it.

Steve

 

[sanjbb]

validation..?

hi,
I'm stucked at the validation. Have gennuine windows but doesn't let me through..
any suggestions!?

 

[Kari]

hi,
I'm stucked at the validation. Have gennuine windows but doesn't let me through..
any suggestions!?

Are you using Internet Explorer? My own experience is that this validation script runs not so well on other browsers.

Kari

 

[Brink]

hi,
I'm stucked at the validation. Have gennuine windows but doesn't let me through..
any suggestions!?

Hallo Sanjbb, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Do you have cookies enabled in IE? You will need to have them enabled to be able to pass as genuine.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[sanjbb]

thanks for the fast answer..!
I'm using opera. gonna try with IE..(with cookies enabled of course)

 

[sanjbb]

solved..! opera was the problem..!

thank you..!

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Sanjbb. Glad that we could help.

 

[Paul Turner]

Hoping to install XP tomorrow. Looked on the Microsoft download site and just found this tutorial which is excellent but earlier today I found another site that says the Microsoft site is incorrect and that you should install Virtual PC first then the KB977206 update if its is required and then XP mode. Both your site and Microsoft give the order as XP mode, Virtual PC, KB977206 (if necessary) and then run XP mode to complete installation. Considering your tutorial lookes very comprehensive I cannot belive it is incorrect but maybe something has changed since it was written.

Thanks for reading this.

Paul

 

[Brink]

Hoping to install XP tomorrow. Looked on the Microsoft download site and just found this tutorial which is excellent but earlier today I found another site that says the Microsoft site is incorrect and that you should install Virtual PC first then the KB977206 update if its is required and then XP mode. Both your site and Microsoft give the order as XP mode, Virtual PC, KB977206 (if necessary) and then run XP mode to complete installation. Considering your tutorial lookes very comprehensive I cannot belive it is incorrect but maybe something has changed since it was written.

Thanks for reading this.

Paul

Hello Paul, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I've personally always installed Windows Virtual PC first then XP Mode, but you can install either one first.

Please let us know how it went for you.

 

[Kari]

Hi Paul, welcome to the Seven Forums.

I can of course only speak for myself but at least I have always, on every rig and every install, installed first the XP Mode, then VPC which requires reboot, and after reboot launched the second half of XP Mode installation by launching it from Start Menu.

Kari

 

[Paul Turner]

Still confused, 2 answers, both different but both saying their method works. Really confused by Brinks answer since its opposite to what is written in the tutorial whereas Kari repeats what is in the tutorial.

What can go wrong if I do it in the wrong order, don't want to have to format and re-install Win 7.

 

[Kari]

Paul, read Brink's answer once again:

I've personally always installed Windows Virtual PC first then XP Mode, but you can install either one first.

Like we say in Finnish, some men like mothers, some other daughters meaning both ways are OK, do as you please.

You can not harm your PC or VPC / XP Mode installation whichever approach you choose. I simply do the XP Mode install always first because it does not require reboot. VPC install requires reboot and I like to be "done" at that phase so after reboot I can just launch XP Mode from Start Menu to let it finish installation and start first time.

Kari

 

[Brink]

Still confused, 2 answers, both different but both saying their method works. Really confused by Brinks answer since its opposite to what is written in the tutorial whereas Kari repeats what is in the tutorial.

What can go wrong if I do it in the wrong order, don't want to have to format and re-install Win 7.

I just used what was officially instructed on how to at Microsoft in the tutorial, but you can install either one first. It really doesn't matter.

 

[Paul Turner]

Installed as per tutorial and working fine. Only snags were internet connection crashed when it was checking validity of my copy of windows and I was surprised when I had to install Avast Free for every user.

Question regarding memory. Virtual PC has been allocated 512 mb which does not appear much to me. Machine had 4gb and my question is should I fit more memory before I consider increasing the 512mb or would it be OK to increase it now.

Thanks.

Paul

 

[seavixen32]

Try increasing the RAM allocated to XP Mode to 1GB.

I don't see any need to buy more RAM unless you want increased performance from your host computer.

 

[boscru]

Just a quick question on XP mode. When you go into XP mode does XP delete the restore points in Windows 7 as it does in a dual boot setup?

 

[Brink]

Hello Boscru,

No, that was only for when dual booting with XP instead.

System Restore Points - Stop XP Dual Boot Delete - Vista Forums

 

[Ex_Brit]

I echo Shawn, no it doesn't effect restore points the way a dual boot might.