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

 

[raen]

XP Mode Setup Fails

Hello, everyone. I'm brand-new to Windows 7. I just got a custom rig a few days ago and installed 64-bit Professional.

I downloaded the two files from Microsoft and let them install to the default place on C:\, but when I went to run XP Mode for the first time, the setup got almost all the way to the end, and then failed. I've tried re-booting and disabling my anti-virus, but that did no good.

It also wants my installation folder to be
D:\Users\raen\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines\
--is that all right?

Thanks,
raen

 

[windude99]

Hello, everyone. I'm brand-new to Windows 7. I just got a custom rig a few days ago and installed 64-bit Professional.

I downloaded the two files from Microsoft and let them install to the default place on C:\, but when I went to run XP Mode for the first time, the setup got almost all the way to the end, and then failed. I've tried re-booting and disabling my anti-virus, but that did no good.

It also wants my installation folder to be
D:\Users\raen\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines\
--is that all right?

Thanks,
raen

Go to start then click on all programs. Scroll down to Windows virtual pc and click on it. Then click on XP Mode. See if it works from there.

 

[raen]

Go to start then click on all programs. Scroll down to Windows virtual pc and click on it. Then click on XP Mode. See if it works from there.

That's exactly what I did. All three times.

 

[Britton30]

It also wants my installation folder to be
D:\Users\raen\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines\
--is that all right?

Thanks,
raen

Is this where Win 7 is installed too? If not it should be in the same partition/drive as the OS.

 

[raen]

It also wants my installation folder to be
D:\Users\raen\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines\
--is that all right?

Is this where Win 7 is installed too? If not it should be in the same partition/drive as the OS.

Ah! Yeah, I was wondering why it wanted to put it in my profile. Where would be a good place to put it, then?

Thanks,
raen

 

[raen]

XP Mode installation failed

After making sure that my profile is on the same partition as the system, I tried to re-install and set up XP Mode. Once again, it got almost all the way to the end and failed.

First I installed WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe
Then I installed Windows6.1-KB958559-x64-RefreshPkg.msu
Then I went to my Start menu and ran Windows XP Mode to initiate the setup. It wanted to install to
C:\Users\raen\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Virtual PC\Virtual Machines\
and indeed C:\ is where the Windows system is installed.

I'm about to tear my hair out here.
Please help!

Thanks,
raen

 

[JonathanV]

I have Windows 7 Home Premium. I referred to the note says Windows XP Mode is only available in Windows 7 Pro, Ult and Ent editions. But Windows Virtual PC is still available for download in Home Prem.

I have another way, after I install Windows Virtual PC, can I download Windows XP iso file from another website and use that iso file to install Windows XP on Windows Virtual PC?

Example:
1. Boot into iso file.
2. Press Enter.
3. Press F8.
4. Choose partition.
5. Format using NTFS.
6. Copying files, etc.

I hope this would work with Windows 7 Home Prem.

 

[Brink]

Hello Jonathan,

Yes, you can use a separate XP ISO file to do that since the ISO is not the same as the XP Mode download/feature.

 

[mlank]

What version of WinXP Mode do I need to install?

I have a Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit.
What version of WinXP Mode do I need to download/install.
Thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello mlank,

You would want to download and install the top WinXP one without the "N" in it. The "N" version is for the European version of Windows.

 

[Kari]

Windows N versions come without media features i.e. no Windows Media Player (XP & 7) and no Windows Media Center and DVD maker (7). Other than that they are fully working versions of Windows.

Windows XP N: Description of Windows XP Home Edition N and Windows XP Professional N
Windows 7 N: What is a Windows 7 N edition? - Microsoft Windows

Both XP Mode and XP Mode N can be installed on all Windows 7 Pro or above systems, regardless if the host is a full or an N version. As XP Mode is due GPU and other display restrictions usually not used for media purposes, it makes WMP quite useless feature in it. Especially those running the host 7 from a relatively small SSD might even benefit a bit installing XP Mode N, as it takes a bit less space.

My 2 cents.

Kari

 

[Dick Jagger]

Can not install XP Mode anymore. Just downloaded from Microsoft and am getting this error.

 

[Brink]

Hello Dick,

I'm sorry, but your image with the error was broken. Could you upload it again?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

 

[ACMDogfight1997]

I WANT TO INSTALL THIS ON MY LAPTOP NOW FITTED WITH WINDOWS 7 ULTIMATE BUT THIS KEEPS GETTING INTO THE WAY!!!:

PLEASE HELP ME!!!

 

[Brink]

Hello ACM,

At what point in the tutorial are you getting this message, and what happens once you click on OK?

 

[ACMDogfight1997]

I'm sorry, I accidentally put the wrong picture link on the post. The message I'm getting looks like that but says:

"Hardware-assisted virtualization is not enabled on this computer"

And it says I must enable hardware-assisted virtualization in BIOS and I don't know how to do that. Any suggestions?

 

[Britton30]

What is the full model number and brand of the machine you're working on? The BIOS may be locked, but we can have a look.

 

[ACMDogfight1997]

HP Envy Dv7-7223cl. It had Windows 8 that was downgraded to Windows 7 Ultimate about a week ago.

 

[Brink]

ACM,

Yep, you'll need to boot into your BIOS/UEFI settings, enable virtualization when you find the setting, and save changes to then restart and return back to Windows.

When you restart the PC, you will see for a very brief second or two at the bottom of the screen what key (usually DEL or a F# key) to press to "Enter setup" (or similar) to boot into BIOS/UEFI. If you miss that brief time, you'll have to restart to try again.

 

[ACMDogfight1997]

And how do I access BIOS/UEFI?