Windows7How

Windows XP mode in Windows 7

September 2, 2009

Just like the good old days

Those that have been closely following the development of the Windows operating system are well aware that certain Windows versions can really get under your skin. The moment an OS does that, users find it extremely difficult to part from it and move on to the new one. Some appreciate the stability and security of a certain OS while others are just fond of the applications that are included in it. Of course, another group of users may also become emotionally attached with the functions and the design of the OS. In the history of Windows operating systems there have been such hard-to-let-go versions. It all started with Windows 98, then Windows 2000 and afterwards Windows XP. These versions have been popular from the moment they’ve been released and not a single OS that’s been released in between managed fully to replace them; the users were simply far too pleased with what they had and found it unnecessary to experiment. The best example of this was the release of the operating system Vista. The numerous compatibility issues, the lack of stability and mind-blowing requirements made users continue using XP instead of the new OS.

The Windows 7 developers, by the looks of it, are eager and, above all, determent to remove all of the obstacles that may stand in the way of making an OS that’s the best solution for all. Besides improving all of the aspects in Vista (we discussed the numerous improvements in previous articles), they’ve also gone a step further. They’ve enabled for users that continuously use XP safe migration to Windows 7 without being afraid that all of their old applications or games won’t be compatible with the newest OS. The XP mode for Windows 7 installs virtual machine that works as fully functional and licensed Windows XP Service Pack 3. In this mode, it’s possible to run all of the old applications and games that have compatibility issues in Windows 7. The advantage of this is that we won’t need to initialize a whole new virtual machine with UI as in XP. All we have to do is choose the application we want to run in XP and that’s basically it; the working environment will stay the same.

What are the requirements in order for this to be possible? First of all we need a processor that supports virtualization. Second, we need Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate Edition. Important: XP mode is not available on the Home Premium which most home users would be using. But there’s nothing to worry about as Win 7 is highly compatible with current software, xp mode was initially developed to target on small businesses and corporation to make sure the old software running in Windows XP will also run in Windows 7. By purchasing one of these three editions we’ll be offered with a link that allows us to download and install the package for Windows XP SP3 mode. After the installation, Microsoft promises that every single application that worked in Windows XP will work in Windows 7 as well.

Judging by the editions that allow this feature, it is safe to assume that the people from Microsoft are seriously determined to attack the business market not just with expensive advertising campaigns but also with quantity that will respond to the many needs of the users. Guided by the bad experience with Vista, countless users (especially business and system administrators) still don’t want to leave the safe and stable embrace of XP and move to the new OS. Now, Microsoft makes an offer users can’t afford to refuse.

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Tags: enterprise, home premium, os, professional, service pack, sp 3, ultimate, vista, windows 7, xp, xp mode