Windows 7: Windows XP Mode - Install and Setup

That is truly an omnibus post.
However before I get underway my local computer guru has told me that I should not follow this route as my SSD drive would not accept Win XP at all......of course, if you could reassure me, I shall roll up my sleeves.
Thanks. Am I happy to have found your site!

Hello Stuggler, and welcome to Seven Forums.

While XP will not support the TRIM feature of an SSD, it really wouldn't matter since this would be a virtual machine. You won't have any issues with installing XP Mode if you like.

Many thanks, Brink. A speedy response is always an added delight to a helpful reply.
Now to take the next step.

You're welcome. I hope it goes smoothly for you.

I have not read all 36 pages of this thread, but would've thought my question would be answered in Post #1 so here goes: what are the considerations for using XP Mode over simply running a program in Compatibility Mode? I understand that if the program is 16 bit, then XP Mode is the only way possible if one's W7 is 64-bit, but are there other reasons that XP Mode is superior to Compatibility Mode?

I have an old XP SP3 computer that I run for a couple of programs alone, and while I don't think any are 16-bit, it seems to me that I did in at least one case try running one of these on W7 years ago without success, hence that I've kept the XP machine for it. Does "XP Mode" virtualization always work in every XP case?

Hello Max,

As for which one is superior, I'd say it would come down to what works best in your situation.

XP Mode would be perfect in your situation if the XP program will not run in compatibility mode since XP Mode is just a virtual machine running Windows XP.

Thanks Brink!

Funny I had never heard of "XP Mode" till this tut was referenced in another thread. But now that I am running W7 Pro I may have to download and try it before MS decides it goes the way of W10!

Please let us know how it went.