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

 

[ikjadoon]

So I installed XP Mode, but it never launched a setting up screen or anything like that. It just finished the installation. I installed XP Mode, THEN the update, like MS' site says. Restarted, too. What's up? On 7 Pro 64-bit.

 

[Brink]

Hello ikjadoon, and welcome to Seven Forums.

What happens when you try to run XP Mode by selecting Virtual Windows XP in step 10 of the tutorial?

 

[ikjadoon]

Hello ikjadoon, and welcome to Seven Forums.

What happens when you try to run XP Mode by selecting Virtual Windows XP in step 10 of the tutorial?

I didn't have that folder in my Start menu, actually.

What I found out was that, somehow, Virtual PC wasn't checked in Windows Features (you know where you can turn Games, Telnet, etc. on and off). Wasn't the update supposed to do that?

Well, I checked it and reinstalled XP Mode and, lo behold, XP Mode launched after installing and the folder came up in the Start menu.

Thanks for the help and legit amazing guide.

~Ibrahim~

 

[Brink]

Ibrahim,

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

Interesting, that it was not checked in Windows Features. It is added when Windows Virtual PC is installed and should have been checked by default.

 

[ikjadoon]

Ibrahim,

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

Interesting, that it was not checked in Windows Features. It is added when Windows Virtual PC is installed and should have been checked by default.

That's what I thought...either way, it's all good now.

~Ibrahim~

 

[fifilein]

hey guys,

i didnt know this site before and found several hints for some of my problems in those tutorials here, great work.

one questions to the virtual pc, is it somehow possible to run more than one virtual machine at the same time? at the MS page its written, that the other VM stops when a new one is opened.

would just copy the VM files and add both of them to VPC just do the job, or would i need some kind of vmware/virtual box to do this?

 

[Brink]

Hello Fifilein, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If you have enough installed RAM to support running more than one VM, then yes you sure can have more than one VM window opened at a time. You can look at the VM's settings (step 5 there) to see hoe much memory (RAM) is allocated for the VM.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[nate42nd]

So....is XP mode's XP 32 bit no matter what? or is there a choice between 32 and 64 bit?

The tutorial says 32 bit but later it sounds like there is a choice.....

I am running 64 bit Windows 7 Pro at a business and need to install XP mode 32 bit for a legacy application.....I'm worried that the employees will be very confused....I hope it's good.

Nevermind, here's the answer. 32bit only

Does Windows Virtual PC support 64-bit Windows XP as a guest operating system?

No. Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode was designed to help small business with application compatibility from Windows XP to Windows 7. The majority of business applications currently run on 32-bit versions of
Windows XP.

 

[Brink]

Hi Nate,

Correct, it would be a 32-bit XP Mode installed as a VM for Windows Virtual PC. The choice is for what 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 that you have installed for which XP Mode or Windows Virtual PC to download instead.

 

[nate42nd]

Thanks Brink,

The tutorial says to install Virtual PC 1st then XP mode 2nd.

On MS website it seems to say the opposite...I must be confused. It probably does not matter what order you install them huh?

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

 

[rsvr85]

Thanks Brink,

The tutorial says to install Virtual PC 1st then XP mode 2nd.

On MS website it seems to say the opposite...I must be confused. It probably does not matter what order you install them huh?

Download Windows XP Mode

It doesn't matter, i've installed both combinations and both work fine. Not sure why MS says to do that???

 

[Brink]

Nar, you will need to have Windows Virtual PC installed first, then XP Mode. I would not think that XP Mode would install or work without Windows Virtual PC installed already.

 

[rsvr85]

Nar, you will need to have Windows Virtual PC installed first, then XP Mode. I would not think that XP Mode would install or work without Windows Virtual PC installed already.

Negative, XP-Mode installs fine without Virtual PC. I'm doing it now

Of course it worn't work until VPC is installed but that's not the point here.

 

[Brink]

LOL, technicality gets you every time.

 

[rsvr85]

LOL, technicality gets you every time.

Yep

 

[nate42nd]

Thanks guys. I will just follow Brinks tut.

That should get me where i need to be. Teaching ten 16 year old girls how to use it will be the challenge.

 

[rsvr85]

Thanks guys. I will just follow Brinks tut.

That should get me where i need to be. Teaching ten 16 year old girls how to use it will be the challenge.

Defo your best bet, i was i no way disagreeing with Shawns tutorial, just stating technicalities

Why not just create 10 accounts on SF for the girls and leave them to it

 

[nate42nd]

Thanks guys. I will just follow Brinks tut.

That should get me where i need to be. Teaching ten 16 year old girls how to use it will be the challenge.

Defo your best bet, i was i no way disagreeing with Shawns tutorial, just stating technicalities

Why not just create 10 accounts on SF for the girls and leave them to it

Yea, they can't figure out ONE account. It's ugly. They have other things on their minds. (I wish I was 16 again)

 

[nauticatarcher]

When I try and install Windows XP mode I get error message saying
"The System administrator has set policies to prevent this installation"
I am the administrator, How do I change policies?

 

[Mr Samurai]

Bios Settings to let you run XP mode?

Hello,
Great tutorial, but one thing, My comp keeps asking me to reset the bios setting to allow virtulisation, I have been through every setting I can find in the bios and still can't find it. Am I missing something simple.
I am running an Asus M4A785TD-V EVO board with an AMD Phemon x4 955 it has integrated grapgics ATI Radeon HD 4200.
Please help a very frustrated Samurai.