Running Windows 7 64bit with XP mode 32bit

Hi, I've got a copy of Windows 7 64 bit to use. There are a couple of programs that I use that may not work with a 64 bit OS. How exactly does XP mode work? Does XP itself need to be installed on the same machine? I mean do I need an XP disk to get XP mode?

And does XP mode need to be 64 bit if i am running windows 7 in 64bit?

Ideally I would like windows 7 64 bit installed with XP mode 32 bit to run the odd program that isn't compatible with 64 bit. Is this possible..?

Thanks for the help,

Jez

Welcome!

The virtual XP is a 32 bit version, so you don't need to worry about that. You can only use it if you have the Professional edition.

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

Hope this helps,
~JK

So i won't need the XP disk to run XP mode?

Thanks for the quick reply,

Jez

jeza006 said:

So i won't need the XP disk to run XP mode?

Thanks for the quick reply,

Jez

Click to expand...

Nope, just download the files for free from Microsoft.

great thanks, i'll start the install....

Jez

Jonathan_King said:

Welcome!

The virtual XP is a 32 bit version, so you don't need to worry about that. You can only use it if you have the Professional edition.

See this link: Download Windows XP Mode

Hope this helps,
~JK

Click to expand...

You can install free Virtual PC and XP Mode in Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise editions.

Kari

Kari said:

Jonathan_King said:

Welcome!

The virtual XP is a 32 bit version, so you don't need to worry about that. You can only use it if you have the Professional edition.

See this link: Download Windows XP Mode

Hope this helps,
~JK

Click to expand...

You can install free Virtual PC and XP Mode in Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise editions.

Kari

Click to expand...

That's true, I meant any version Professional or higher. Thanks for pointing that out.

Another thing.. when you download and use the XP Mode software, Microsoft will have you download " Microsoft Virtual PC" to run XP Mode.. you need this because XP Mode is just an image of XP Pro made to be a virtual environment, and virtual hard drive software is what is used to run this.

But.. The Microsoft Virtual PC software is lacking many features. You may want to try to run your XP Mode with software called VMLite.

Download: Welcome to the VMLite

You have to register to download the software and tutorials but it's free.

Yes, VMLite runs faster. I am not sure about memory, since I seldom use vpc.

These are the main pros and cons of VMLite.

From: VMLite vs virtual pc - VMLite

Pros:

(1) Runs faster. No RDP/RemoteApp is getting in the way.

(2) no requirement for VT-x or AMD-V

(3) supports more virtual disk formats

(4) vpc has a disk capacity limit of 127G, while VMLite has a limit of 2TB. 127G is way too small to run virtual machines converted from a physical computer.

(5) supports 64-bit guests, vpc only works with 32-bit guest OSes.

(6) supports multiple virtual CPUs, whereas vpc only works with a single vcpu.

(7) better and faster graphics. VMLite supports 32-bit true colors, and supports 3D/2D acceleration from version 3.1.2. VPC seems to have only 16-bit colors, and no support for 3D/2D. For example, if you play Google Earth in vpc, it will be very slow. Another example, you won't be able to play SecondLife in VPC, whereas VMLite 3.1.2 has no problems in playing SecondLife.

(8) VMLite file sharing is much faster than vpc, since we don't use tcp/ip to transfer files, instead we forward kernel level IRPs between host and vm, and between VMs.

Cons:

(1) VMLite does not support USB devices at the moment, while VPC/XP Mode has strong supports for USB devices. (We are working on it, takes quite some time, though)

(2) VPC/XP Mode does better job to integrate individual virtual apps, with taskbar integration. We are implementing this feature on VMLite too.

In summary, after we implement USB and single application mode, VMLite will be superior to VPC in every aspect.

Thanks for all the replies. Everything is running smoothly so far! Haven't had to use the virtual pc yet.

Thanks everyone,

Jez

Hi there

until the VMLITE Licensing questions have been satisfactorily resolved, if you don't want to use XPMODE you can use VBOX or VMWARE products - both these will run on ANY version of Windows 7 and don't require the VT virtualisation feature enabled in the BIOS either.

Note also you can even run a 64 Bit GUEST on a 32 BIT OS when using vmware products (vmplayer or server - free - workstation paid for software).


Of course using a 64 bit guest on a 32 bit Host means that the host can only use a max of 4GB RAM so your Guest VM's will be limited to around 2GB max. You WILL need the VT feature enabled to run a 64 bit guest on a 32 bit host.

Otherwise no probs running a Windows VM 7 X-64 Virtual Machine on an XP host.

Cheers
jimbo

I have windows xp 32 bit. I would like to update to windows 7 64 bit. will that work?

I wonder if running Virtual XP on my Win 7 64 bit machine, will it require me to turn off the machine each time I want to run in XP and its programs.

Also if the files used by XP can be seen by Win 7 software?

Thanks for sharing any experience in this reqgards.