Overview of Windows XP Mode in Windows 7

Windows XP mode (XPM) is one of the new features found in Windows 7. XPM is one of Microsoft's solution to software compatibility issues with using XPM is where the user can still run old applications in Windows 7.


XPM works by utilizing virtualization technology with the help of Windows Virtual PC. Windows Virtual PC itself is a further development of Virtual PC 2007 that has been aged for a long time since its release.


Then what is the advantage for users to use the XPM and Windows Virtual PC is compared to using other virtualization program like VMware for example?


Its main advantage is what is called Seamless Applications, which users can run applications contained in the XPM directly from the desktop Windows 7, as if the application is installed on Windows 7 itself.


Another advantage is the ease of sharing resources. Resources contained in Windows 7 can be easily accessed from the XPM, and vice versa. Resources are referred to here is a folder, a USB device, the clipboard to the printer.


But unfortunately while Windows 7 is planned for the "friendly" to the hardware specifications, a very interesting feature is apparently not even to be enjoyed by all users, this is because this feature requires XPM processor that supports hardware virtualization features that in fact is not contained in the processor-processor earlier. The system needs more to run this XPM is as follows:

• Windows Virtual PC requires processors capable of hardware virtualization, with AMD-V ™ or Intel ® VT turned on in the BIOS
• Supported Operating Systems: Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, or Windows 7 Enterprise.
• Hard disk requirements: 2 GB for installing Windows XP mode. Additional 15GB of hard disk space for the virtual Windows environment.

When this post was written, both XPM and Windows Virtual PC that is still in Beta phase has been released together with the release of Windows 7 RC. In the Technet site, the files that are already available for download are as follows:


   1.RAIL QFE Beta for Vista SP1 (x86)
      Includes: RAIL QFE; 04-30-2009
      12:41 (MB)
   2.RAIL QFE Beta for Windows XP SP3 (x86)
      Includes: RAIL QFE; 04-30-2009
      1:17 (MB)
   3.Windows Virtual PC Beta (x64)
      Includes: VPC Beta; 04-30-2009
      5.67 (MB)
   4.Windows Virtual PC Beta (x86)
      Includes: VPC Beta; 04-30-2009
      4.88 (MB)
      Beta Mode 
   5.Windows XP (x64)
      Includes: XP Mode; 04-30-2009
      445.37 (KB)
      Beta Mode 
   6.Windows XP (x86)
      Includes: XP Mode; 04-30-2009
      445.37 (KB)


According to the plan, all files will be released to the general public on May 5. And while waiting for that date, please download the following document for some who want to know more about this XPM:


Windows Virtual PC Beta Release Notes


Virtual PC Windows Evaluation Guide


Also visit the official website at the following links to get the latest info about the various XPM as well as on Windows Virtual PC.


Windows Virtual PC Home