Windows XP Mode is an optional feature of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions, that helps small businesses upgrade to Windows 7 by providing a virtual Windows XP environment capable of running many legacy Windows XP-compatible business and productivity applications. With this you can now run your old XP applications on Windows 7 just like other applications and now have access to the USB in a virtual environment. Windows XP Mode (XPM) is a new addition to Wndows 7 RC. At the core of XPM are Virtual PC 7 (VPC) and the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) protocol. While VPC’s has a pretty clear purpose, RDP’s are well not so clear. XPM makes heavy use of several RDP features such as Remote Applications Integrated Locally (RAIL), compositing, and multi-monitor support. Windows XP Mode can be installed on the three following Windows 7 SKUs: Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate.
Microsoft recommends that customers use Windows XP Mode on a PC with 2GB of memory and 15 GB of additional disk space for Windows XP Mode. In addition, Windows Virtual PC requires a PC with Intel-VT or AMD-V enabled in the CPU, as it takes advantage of the latest advancements in hardware virtualization.
1. You will need to turn on the settings in your BIOS for hardware-assisted virtualization, which is a simple setting for both Intel VT and AMD-V equipped processors, which is a simple flip from disabled to enabled. If you don’t have this hardware in your computer you will not be able to use XPM.
2. Next you will need to Install KB update package: Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu or Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu. (I was able to find it on the internet with a simple search-links are above in the What You Will Need section , but should be available as an update after May 5th) Its as simple as accepting the EULA
Simply choose to install the update.
The update will install.
You are now done installing the update and will need to Restart your Computer.
3. Now you need to setup a virtual machine and download the VHD package(VirtualWindowsXP.msi) for your OS version (64bit or 32bit) and install it.
Next you will now start your Virtual PC for the first time.
4. To run Virtual Windows XP, follow Start > All Programs > Windows Virtual PC > Virtual Windows XP
If you don’t have the proper hardware it won’t run and will give you the error shown in the picture above. If you do have the proper hardware make sure it is turned on in the BIOS as mentioned in Step 1.
5. When the virtual machine starts for the first time, the Virtual Windows XP EULA appears. Accept it and click Next to continue.
6. On the next screen, Create a password for the User account. This is a required account with administrator privileges that the wizard creates automatically. It is the default account used to run Windows XP mode.
During the setup process you will be prompted how you want to handle window updates for XPM. Choose automatic update settings for Virtual Windows XP and proceed next.
7. After completion of first time start wizard, Windows XP Mode is ready to use.
Windows XP Mode is specifically designed to help small-business users to run their Windows XP applications on their Windows 7 desktop.
Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) is designed for IT Professionals.
How MED-V adds management to Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC?
To provide a managed, scalable solution for running virtual Windows XP applications, MED-V addresses many of the IT challenges around deployment and management including:
Deployment – deliver virtual Windows images and customize per user and device settings
Provisioning – define which applications and websites are available to different users
Control – assign and expire usage permissions and Virtual PC settings
Maintenance and Support - update images, monitor users and remotely troubleshoot
Run on multiple platforms – MED-V will work on both Windows 7 and Windows Vista.
Which customers should use Windows XP Mode standalone?
Windows XP Mode standalone is suitable for small and medium business users, who are able to set their XP applications themselves and may or may not have IT Professional staff. Each PC has its own virtual Windows XP environment that is controlled and managed by the end user. Windows XP Mode standalone is not designed for large, centrally managed deployments that have widely deployed business applications that require Windows XP.
So in summary MED-V builds on top of Windows Virtual PC and adds important management capabilities.
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