How to Enable XP Mode in Windows 7?

One of the new features announced in Windows 7 RC is the availability of XP mode. Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 makes it easy to install and run your Windows XP applications directly from your Windows 7-based PC. It utilizes virtualization technology, such as Windows Virtual PC, to provide avirtual Windows XP environment for Windows 7. With this features, Windows XP Mode applications can be seen and accessed from a Windows 7 desktop.

 

If you want to enable the XP mode, you need to download additional software and install it on top of Windows 7 RC. Here are the steps to enable XP mode on Windows 7.

1. First you need to make sure that Hardware Virtualization Technology is enabled, which means the CPU should support for hardware virtualization. This can be checked using the Intel Processor Identification Utility. If your CPU is enabled for hardware virtualization, make sure that it is enabled using the BIOS settings.

Virtualization Technology can be enabled in the BIOS settings under the System Configuration tab.

2. Once you make sure that CPU supports virtualization, you need to download Windows XP Mode Beta and Windows Virtual PC Beta.

• Download Windows XP Mode Beta (445.4 MB – 890.7 MB)
• Download Windows Virtual PC Beta (4.9 MB – 10.6 MB)

3. Once you have installed these application, you can start using the XP mode in Windows 7 RC.

Other Requirements for XP mode;

• Windows 7 RC
• 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
• NB: Windows XP Mode is only available in Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate.

Windows Virtual PC features for Windows XP Mode;

• Once both the Windows Virtual PC and the virtual Windows XP environment are installed, Windows Virtual PC provides a simple wizard to setup the Windows XP Mode with just a few clicks.
• Users can access USB devices attached to Windows 7 directly from Windows XP Mode.  These devices include Printers and Scanners, Flash Memory/Sticks and External Hard Disks, Digital Cameras and more.
• Publish and Launch applications installed on Windows XP Mode directly from the Windows 7 desktop, as if they were installed on the Windows 7 itself.
• Access your Windows 7 Known Folders -  My documents, Pictures, Desktop, Music, Video, from inside the virtual windows environment, such as Windows XP Mode
• Cut and paste between your Windows 7 and Windows XP Mode.
• Print directly to your attached printer from your Windows XP Mode applications either in applicationmo
• de or desktop mode.