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

 

[z3r010]

re #5, the dot is properly known as a radiobox

We know that, but 99% of the public would be confused.

 

[darkassain]

i thought it was a radiobutton...
yah z3 is right most wouldnt know what it means...

 

[Wiisper]

Okay, after some searching i found a download but the installer stops at step 5 with the error "the file could not be written" followed by the "hard disk could not attached to the virtual machine. Please check the values provided and try again.". When i press okay it ask i get a wizard to create a new virtual hard drive but that isn't working either, any ideas?

,Wiisper

 

[copernicus]

Okay I'm a bit confused here.

I'm on a 64 bit machine, the xp program I want to run is 32 bit.

Is this what I need to download/install:

Windows 7 (64bit) > Virtual Machine 64 bit > Windows XP Mode (32 bit) > 32 bit program inside of the VM.

?

 

[z3r010]

Yes

 

[copernicus]

Well, I just intalled the XP mode without first installing the Virtual PC(since I can't find it). It installed, but I have no Idea how to change it's settings since it needs to be shut down first, but once you shut down there's nowhere to change the settings...because I don't have virtual PC installed. lol

 

[Brink]

Hello Copernicus,

This tutorial below will show you how to change the settings, but you will need to have Windows Virtual PC (step 1) installed first though.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8253-windows-virtual-pc-change-virtual-machine-settings.html

 

[copernicus]

Yea, figured, I've used virtual pc before(earlier versions). I installed this to run a program, which turns out runs fine through windows 7, I was just installing it wrong.

I'm so awesome. ha.

 

[Brink]

LOL. Well, I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted out though.

 

[Night Hawk]

If you look back on the thread here you'll see how I partitioned the two drives(ix64bit,1x32bit) seeing a recovery partition of just over 100gb there. The latest Virtual pc to be available in two days. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/default.aspx

That will a plus for the 64bit 7 more then the 32bit here however. With XP out of the equation just a few XP programs that will install and run on the 32bit 7 won't run once installed on the 64bit. For those not being able to get things going with the older programs on 7 at all that along with the XP mode will make life a bit easier in general.

 

[copernicus]

Well, I just intalled the XP mode without first installing the Virtual PC(since I can't find it). It installed, but I have no Idea how to change it's settings since it needs to be shut down first, but once you shut down there's nowhere to change the settings...because I don't have virtual PC installed. lol

Update on the settings, you don't need to use virtual PC to manage the independent XP mode.

Start > Programs> Windows Virtual PC > Manage Virtual Machines > Right click on the Virtual Windows xp.vmcx

Just make sure the VM is shut down.

Also Pining XP mode apps on the taskbar doesn't use the Icon, the pinned item only acts a a quick launch. =/

 

[Night Hawk]

I was just pointed to something else you may want to look over regarding the XP mode. "How many Intel CPUs will fail the XP Mode test in Windows 7?" was the title for the article seen at How many Intel CPUs will fail the XP Mode test in Windows 7? | Ed Bott’s Microsoft Report | ZDNet.com

According to the information brought up there certain bios features may have to be present and enabled for both Intel and AMD cpus with certian selective models in order to see working results. The cpu in use needs to see either the Intel Virtualization Technology (Intel VT) or AMD Virtualization (AMD-V).

 

[Jilaman]

I got the same issues as Wiisper above. When it proceeds to copy the VM file I get a failure saying the File cannot be Copied. It happens everytime. Has anyone else seen this and found a solution?

 

[darkassain]

alright the links are here...

32-bit
http://download.microsoft.com/download/8/C/6/8C620E1A-2A14-411F-A091-27AE6EDE0675/Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu
http://download.microsoft.com/download/B/0/E/B0E7F655-02C9-4B4F-B8C7-E48BBB0D3F86/32%20bit/VirtualWindowsXP.msi
64-bit
http://download.microsoft.com/download/8/C/6/8C620E1A-2A14-411F-A091-27AE6EDE0675/Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu
http://download.microsoft.com/download/B/0/E/B0E7F655-02C9-4B4F-B8C7-E48BBB0D3F86/64%20bit/VirtualWindowsXP.msi

 

[Iknewitwin7]

Nice one Brink, and congrats on the MVP . When did you receive that honor?

 

[Brink]

The download links from Microsoft are in steps 1 and 2 though. Not just the MSDN or TechNet links.

 

[darkassain]

The download links from Microsoft are in steps 1 and 2 though. Not just the MSDN or TechNet links.

i see now...
was used to the big download button though..

 

[Brink]

Nice one Brink, and congrats on the MVP . When did you receive that honor?

Thank you Iknewitwin7. I got it recently back in April for Windows Desktop Experience.

i see now...
was used to the big download button though..

LOL, I understand that. I do like those download buttons, but you can't change the text for it so I just went with the links instead.

 

[Zealhybrid]

I got the same issues as Wiisper above. When it proceeds to copy the VM file I get a failure saying the File cannot be Copied. It happens everytime. Has anyone else seen this and found a solution?

Wich language version are you downloading????, I tried with spanish x86, three times and nothing.

Now I´m trying with english version x86...maybe this time it will work

UPDATE:
YEY!!!!, the english version worked for me!!!!!!!,
can someone please notify MS, that the spanish version(x86) is corrupted.......:huh:

By the way?, may I install the mui pack to change the language on the XP virtual machine??????

 

[Night Hawk]

One suggestion here would be compiling a list of cpus that will support virtualization for both Intel and AMD. It will take some time but will make things easier for anyone wanting to try this out and only later finding they are not running a cpu seeing support.