Does Windows XP Mode = Compatibility Mode?

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  1. Posts : 144
    Windows 7 x64
       #1

    Does Windows XP Mode = Compatibility Mode?


    Hi all!

    I've heard that Windows 7 Home Premium doesn't include the "Windows XP Mode" and I'm told on the MS's website that it's a separate download, with an image showing totally XP-themed window in the 7 environment.

    Windows 7 Features: Windows XP Mode

    I'm running Ultimate and I recall no separate download, yet I have the Compatibility Mode available.

    So, what I'm asking is... Does the "XP Mode" mean the "Compatibility Mode" or is it a different beast altogether?

    Thanks!
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  2. Posts : 6,243
    win 7 ultimate32bit, Win8.1pro wmc 32bit
       #2

    xp mode runs in a virtual machine, compat mode is where you try to make an older file or group of files behave as though they were engineered for a newer os version, someone else will explain better than i can :)
    Last edited by pebbly; 07 Feb 2010 at 13:15. Reason: typo
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  3. Posts : 6,618
    W7x64 Pro, SuSe 12.1/** W7 x64 Pro, XP MCE
       #3

    No, they are two separare things. XP mode is a virtual environment in which XP is run. Compatibility mode is just settings that are adjusted within W7.

    The download for XP Mode and the virtual environment are something that you have to download manually, it is not on Windows Update. For XP mode to work, your hardware must support it. As far as I know, it is primarily whether your CPU supports virtualization.
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  4. Posts : 824
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit (6.1, Build 7600)
       #4

    pebbly said:
    xp mode runs in a virtual machine, compat mode is where you try to make an older file or group of files behave as though they were engineered for a newer os version, someone else will explain better than i can :)
    I would say you explained it perfectly!
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  5. Posts : 144
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    So, it's basically a MS-created VirtualBox I can run Windows XP in without needing a separate licence for it?
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  6. Posts : 6,243
    win 7 ultimate32bit, Win8.1pro wmc 32bit
       #6

    higgins said:
    So, it's basically a MS-created VirtualBox I can run Windows XP in without needing a separate licence for it?
    not too sure about the licence part of your question ,but yes its just a virtual box
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  7. Posts : 6,243
    win 7 ultimate32bit, Win8.1pro wmc 32bit
       #7

    Greg S said:
    pebbly said:
    xp mode runs in a virtual machine, compat mode is where you try to make an older file or group of files behave as though they were engineered for a newer os version, someone else will explain better than i can :)
    I would say you explained it perfectly!
    thank you for that Greg S
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  8. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 64 bit
       #8

    pebbly said:
    higgins said:
    So, it's basically a MS-created VirtualBox I can run Windows XP in without needing a separate licence for it?
    not too sure about the licence part of your question ,but yes its just a virtual box
    I didn't have to put in any registration information when I installed it. Microsoft says this:

    To use Windows XP Mode, you need to download and install Windows XP Mode, which is a fully licensed version of Windows XP with Service Pack 3. You also need to download and install Windows Virtual PC, which is the program that runs virtual operating systems on your computer.

    Here's a link to where I found the info:

    Install and use Windows XP Mode in Windows 7
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  9. Posts : 2,528
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #9

    Yes, your Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate license contains an XP Mode license as well (the XP Mode VM is licensed based on the Virtual PC BIOS, so it is pre-activated as long as it runs in Windows Virtual PC).
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  10. Posts : 824
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit (6.1, Build 7600)
       #10

    cluberti said:
    Yes, your Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate license contains an XP Mode license as well (the XP Mode VM is licensed based on the Virtual PC BIOS, so it is pre-activated as long as it runs in Windows Virtual PC).
    Does this work on an older laptop, say about five years old?
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