Breaking: Windows 7 to have Windows XP Mode
It seems like Paul Thurott and Rafael Rivera have revealed what was to be Microsoft’s planned major announcement with the release of Windows 7 RC. The featured is dubbed Windows XP Mode (XPM) and will dramatically change people’s views on compatibility with Windows 7.
Windows XP Mode is supposed to be a no-frills method of improving compatibility of legacy or XP-supported apps on Windows 7. This is what Paul Thurott had to say of the feature:
XPM is built on the next generation Microsoft Virtual PC 7 product line, which requires processor-based virtualization support (Intel and AMD) to be present and enabled on the underlying PC, much like Hyper-V, Microsoft’s server-side virtualization platform. However, XPM is not Hyper-V for the client. It is instead a host-based virtualization solution like Virtual PC; the hardware assistance requirement suggests this will be the logical conclusion of this product line from a technological standpoint. That is, we fully expect future client versions of Windows to include a Hyper-V-based hypervisor.
Windows XP mode will provide a Virtual PC based environment and a fully licensed copy of Windows XP SP3 for users who purchase Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate. XPM allows you to run apps in a virtual XP environment. Unlike typical Virtual PC products that run in a separate window, XPM will allow apps to run alongside the same desktop as Windows 7 and even have shortcut integrations. Basically, it allows you to run the Windows XP based applications along with the Windows 7 applications all on one desktop.
Rafael is expected to post more in-depth detail about the feature very soon. More information will be posted as it arrives. Let us know your thoughts on this new feature.
Screenshots: Paul Thurott’s Supersite
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Tags: windows 7, windows 7 xp mode, windows 7 xpm, windows xp mode, xpm
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40 Responses to “Breaking: Windows 7 to have Windows XP Mode”
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Sounds interesting…. Can’t wait to try it.
Microsoft has a zombie lurking around called Windows XP. I like this feature but I seriously think XP is an undead operating system that continues to lurk around Redmond, WA. This isn’t your typical zombie.
If this is correct they have made Win7 a most have upgrade for any one using Windows.
I had plan on getting Home Premium, but I will spend the extra money to get Pro just to have this feature.
This is how backward compatibility should work. This is a major barrier removal for corporations to adopting Win7 and retiring WinXP.
I wonder if 3D Acceleration will be supported
Initially I wouldn’t think so but if the XP apps can run alongside apps in windows 7, this could be a new scenario we’ve not seen before. Any word if this is in the RC build 7100 or if MS was just announcing it with windows 7 RC?
It’s supposed to come as an additional download that you install.
The big news too of course is everyone with Professional and above gets a free copy of XP SP3, so there’s no reason not to buy Windows 7 now… unless they somehow limit to its use in the virtual environment but I doubt it.
I was thinking the same thing, BF2/2142 do not work on Win7.
Since this a Virtual PC like feature there would be some level of performance hit and it main be to high for any useful 3D acceleration.
It doesn’t?! Are you running the RC build, that is quite surprising for such a popular game to be still unsupported by the RC build.
The virtual environment of course will not have that much capability if supported 3D acceleration. BF2 is quite a demanding game, but that would be cool if it can do that =)
I just have to say MS really scored with this one. They’re not making profit with XP anyway, why not give it away
I have worked around with bf2 v1.41 on win7 7077 rc1, and yes it runs, only things as you login into the account server, it minimizes to a small 640×480 window, and closes. So the only thing that I can see is the game needs to be worked on by dice.
I am using build 7000, been waiting for the 64 bit RC build before doing a clean install again.
The RC may support BF series, but the fact they are giving you WinXP SP3 is something I would of never thought MS would do.
they really want users to get over XP. There’s little reason not to now.
The 64-bit RC is leaked by the way. If you are waiting for the official release, it is May 5th
I looked for a torrent earlier today, but did find any on my regular site yet.
I like to wait till there is feedback posted before downloading.
And your right that there is little reason to hang on to WinXP if this info is correct.
It does run Second Life and Guild Wars just fine.
Most of my FPS is done on my Xbox 360.
Awsome Idea! Im glad they are learning from all the major probs with vista.
It took them over 8 years to make an OS better than WinXP, that is a long learning cycle.
Can anyone say: awesome?
Awesome!
(and not because you’ve asked)
You can download seventeen pictures (in a ZIP) of the Windows XP Mode feature here: Windows XP Mode screenshots.
I would like to see this become a full Virtual PC 2009. 2007 has too many problems to count. I NEED to be able to have more than one virtual floppy in at the same time!
Unfortunately I think it’s just a modified version of the current Virtual PC. They certainly need to beef up Virtual PC a bit. It seems to be less efficient than VMWare
Now only if they’d expand it have a ‘Windows 98′ and a ‘Windows 3.1′ mode I wouldnt have to keep a win98se partition or an extra Pentium 1 computer around for my old games.
It seems like they gave you a free XP SP3 image to run it with. I’m guessing if you have a win 98 or 3.1 ISO, you could but wow, that’s REALLY old
What’s all the fuss about this “virtual” Windows XP mode? I dabbled with a MacBook last year, and they have TWO virtual Windows XP solutions that let you run a full Windows XP window INSIDE of OS X. If they can do it, what’s the big deal about Microsoft being able to do it?
I eventually went back to my ThinkPad x60s with native XP SP3 because of the bottlenecks in using virtual XP on the MacBook, and the fact that I just couldn’t adjust to the “Apple Way” of doing things in OS X. I’m afraid that’s what users will experience in virtual XP mode in Win 7 – but the upside is it may drive folks to upgrade their software to more modern solutions.
So far we’re not sure if XPM is 3D Acceleration capable. If it turns out that it really is capable, then there is something to fuss about.
Also since many can’t handle the “Apple Way”, it’s a good thing that Microsoft is doing this so you don’t have to go to the “apple way”.
the big deal is now you can run XP applications inside a Windows 7 desktop as if you are only running Windows 7, except the XP only apps are emulated in a virtual environment.
AFAIK, my friends on Macs use Vmware and its all contained in a window and cannot be used seamlessly with the Mac desktop.
so keep using fricking windows xp then. If people want to remain dated old bags let them be. Some people just cannot accept change. If they do not want to upgrade to winows 7 and take advantage of many new technological advancements in UI, hardware and software, then so be it. Winxp mode is no different then any other virtualized environment. It’s not even a SECRET or new feature or anything of windows 7. It’s a separate download. Has nothing to do with win7. It’s just anohter anti-trust suit waiting to happen.
scratch that, it’s a separate download. lol no sute to happen.
havef a nic eday. it’s stupid anyways.
I imagine reworking apps and testing compatibility is very expensive for enterprises. They just want a “just works” solution and at the moment, it’s XP.
Dang, this sounds really sick. Very nice of Microsoft to give a free copy of xp away.
This is a great movement for Microsoft. With Vista as a failed OS, so many users went back to XP, and really started to turn against Microsoft. I even noticed (though not all that much) that Apple was catching up with the increase in Mac and iPod/iPhone sales. I think this is truly Microsoft’s final battle to either keep fighting, or start heading on a long journey to hell. So far, it seems as though Microsoft is proving itself with Windows 7 and the Virtual PC. But if I remember, there was also a big fuss about how great Vista was going to be, then when it came out, everything went bad and it turned out to be one of the largest mistakes in Microsoft’s history. I am sincerely hoping this is not another Vista, and it definitely does not seem so. If Microsoft gets this to work out as expected, they will have a huge chance to get back in the game and win some trust back. ~I hope I have the facts right.
, it’s all a matter of opinion at this point anyhow.~
[...] Breaking: Windows 7 to have Windows XP Mode It seems like Paul Thurott and Rafael Rivera have revealed what was to be Microsoft’s… [...]
[...] Breaking: Windows 7 to have Windows XP Mode It seems like Paul Thurott and Rafael Rivera have revealed what was to be Microsoft’s… [...]
[...] Breaking: Windows 7 to have Windows XP Mode It seems like Paul Thurott and Rafael Rivera have revealed what was to be Microsoft’s… [...]
[...] Breaking: Windows 7 to have Windows XP Mode It seems like Paul Thurott and Rafael Rivera have revealed what was to be Microsoft’s… [...]
[...] comments Leave a comment Easy AdSenser by UnrealJust a day after Paul Thurott revealed Windows XP Mode for Windows 7, he comes back with additional details where he’s pretty sure “most of [...]
[...] Breaking: Windows 7 to have Windows XP Mode It seems like Paul Thurott and Rafael Rivera have revealed what was to be Microsoft’s… [...]
[...] Breaking: Windows 7 to have Windows XP Mode It seems like Paul Thurott and Rafael Rivera have revealed what was to be Microsoft’s… [...]
But if I remember, there was also a big fuss about how great Vista was going to be, then when it came out, everything went bad and it turned out to be one of the largest mistakes in Microsoft’s history.
[...] Breaking: Windows 7 to have Windows XP Mode It seems like Paul Thurott and Rafael Rivera have revealed what was to be Microsoft’s… [...]
so you think this way on this topic. i am not sure whether i am with you or against you on this.