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]

Elition,

The only thing I can suggest to try a clean reinstall of Windows 7, then install your drivers and Windows Virtual PC first then Windows XP mode. Do not install any other program until afterwards. Something seems to be interfering.

 

[Ex_Brit]

'Scuse me butting in here & forgive me if this has been suggested already. I'm not using it myself, but although your PC is capable of supporting it doesn't necessarily mean it's turned on, so check the BIOS again if necessary.
I noticed in mine when I was overclocking it the other day that Virtualization (or whatever they called it in there) was disabled, so I enabled it for whenever I decide to go that route.

 

[Elition]

Elition,

The only thing I can suggest to try a clean reinstall of Windows 7, then install your drivers and Windows Virtual PC first then Windows XP mode. Do not install any other program until afterwards. Something seems to be interfering.

That could be the problem. I did a Upgrade from Vista Ultimate to Win 7.
So yeah.. XP Mode isn't that important at the moment for me to do a clean install.

Ok.. skipping OVER the XP Mode Problem, I cannot

**off topic request removed - please start a new thread for this instead. Brink **

 

[sebo1988]

please help me. ACER 5634 WLMI Intel T5600 core 2 duo 2.5 gb ram

There isn't hardware visualization option on BIOS.

 

[Brink]

Hello Sebo, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If there is not an option in the BIOS, then you motherboard or BIOS version may not support Virtualization then.

You might see if you have the latest BIOS version installed to see if it may have the option in it. I couldn't find your model at Acer though.

Shawn

 

[Ex_Brit]

From a Google search I read many similar questions regarding the T5xxx series. It appears that some are OK and other not depending on the chip and it's either enabled by Intel or it isn't and can't be changed, despite what the utility is saying.

 

[sebo1988]

my bios version is v3.60 . What can i do?

 

[Ex_Brit]

You probably can't do anything as Intel have blocked it in the first place. best to contact Tech Support for your computer.

Which reminds me, I've been meaning to ask a question of my own. In my BIOS, under the Advanced tab/CPU Config Intel Virtualization Tech was already enabled.

But I found another similar function under another section in Advanced: "Intel Virtualization Tech for Directed I/O" (Intel Vt-d) which was disabled so I enabled that.

What is it? The online explanations are a bit too technical for me to grasp I'm afraid.

 

[Brink]

Hi Peter,

It looks like Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O basically enables the direct assignment of devices to guest VMs. The link goes into more details on it, but I agree it is a bit complicated.

 

[Ex_Brit]

Thanks Shawn. I guess if I read it enough times something will dawn eventually...LOL. The trouble with Intel is that they are all eggheads and expect everyone else to be too.

 

[Night Hawk]

I guess I was the fortunate one here running an older AM2 model board that just happened to have the latest bios for it when originally ordering it. Everything was already set to go while I still have to actually build new for a famility member with no possible support for an older socket series.

The real problem at the Intel site there Shawn is the blown out details of how this and that is supposed to do this or that without cutting things to the bottom line explaining what to look for when setting the bios while there are all kinds. Instead they are trying to explain theory! You would think they would consider some type of general reference guide you could follow.

 

[Leobelbas]

Perfect! Not a hard procedure at all...

 

[Night Hawk]

Generally once you have everything set in the bios for some boards while others simply are enabled by default the VPC going on first and after a restart the XP mode it should start right up.

When you rush ahead and install the XP mode before the VPC or forget to restart the system as part of installing the VPC then you run into problems. For running vhds made while using the betas for both in most cases those will run when first backed up and later added into the new Windows Virtual Machines sub folder later.

 

[Wii Master 64]

does virtual pc and xp mode know if you have home premium or something other than proffesional or ultimate? because, when i get windows 7, i want to have xp mode as well, but i got home premium for $50. so, does it run an OS check or something?

 

[Brink]

NOTE: Windows XP Mode is only available in Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate.

Sorry Wii Master. Virtual PC will work, but not XP Mode. However you should still be able to create a virtual PC machine with a XP ISO file though.

 

[Wii Master 64]

ok. thanks for that, but how do I scan to see if my BIOS can run virtualization technology? I have an AMD Athlon X2 processer and when I click on the link to go to that page, the download button doesn't work.

 

[Brink]

Most newer motherboards have this Virtualization feature and have it enabled by default, so you can just try to install Windows Virtual PC to see. If there is a problem, you will get a error message telling you what it wrong.

 

[Night Hawk]

No worries Wii Master. Virtual PC and XP Mode will work on Windows Home Premium if it passes the test here: Hardware Virtualization Technology (checks CPU compatibility and if virtualization is enabled in BIOS)

You may have to correct something there. Shawn. Sorry but I have to catch you on this one.

"Windows XP Mode will only run on Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate editions and requires a virtualization engine, such as Windows Virtual PC." http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

One reason I couldn't run the Virtual PC 2007 in Vista was I was stuck with the Home Premium edition. This is one reason why I won't settle for anything less then the Ultimate edition this time around.

Unfortunately the MS information there shows that only the Professional and Ultimate editions of 7 will run the XP mode itself for desktop editions. The Professional and Ultimate editions also include the other support needed for the updated VPC as well.

 

[Brink]

Oops, correct you are Night Hawk.

I updated that post above. You should be able to create a normal virtial machine with a XP ISO though.

 

[Night Hawk]

It's still a disappointment for those who go for the Home Premium editions and find out this is not supported. The previous Virtual PC 2007 also saw a lack there on the Vista equivalent as well. I know that one well!