Install and use Windows XP Mode in

Windows 7
Appl ies t o t hese edit ions of Windows 7
Professional
Ultimate
Enterprise
In t his page
How does Wi ndows XP Mode work?
Bef ore you begin
Inst al li ng and usi ng Windows XP Mode
Important
As of April 8, 2014, technical support for Windows XP and Windows XP Mode is no longer available, including
updates that help protect your PC. This means that if you continue to use Windows XP or use Windows XP Mode on
a Windows 7 PC after support ends, your PC might become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses. Therefore,
to keep your Windows 7 PC secure after support ends, we recommend that you only use Windows XP Mode if your
PC is disconnected from the Internet. Learn more about Windows XP end of support .
Using Windows XP Mode, you can run programs that were designed for Windows XP on computers running Windows 7
Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate editions. Windows XP Mode isn't supported on Windows 8.
M EET WI N D OWS PCs+ TABLETS DOWN LOADS HOW- TO
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Programs can run in both Windows XP Mode and in Windows 7.
How does Wi ndows XP Mode work?
Windows XP Mode works in two waysboth as a virtual operating system and as a way to open programs within
Windows 7. It runs in a separate window on the Windows 7 desktop, much like a program, except it's a fully-functional,
fully-licensed version of Windows XP. In Windows XP Mode, you can access your physical computer's CD/DVD drive, install
programs, save files, and perform other tasks as if you were using a computer running Windows XP.
When you install a program in Windows XP Mode, the program appears in both the Windows XP Mode list of programs
and in the Windows 7 list of programs, so you can open the program directly from Windows 7.
Programs installed in Windows XP Mode in the Windows 7 Start menu
Notes
The majority of programs compatible with Windows Vista and Windows XP run well in Windows 7. If a program
doesn't, first try the Program Compatibility troubleshooter. It's included in all editions of Windows 7. For more
information, see Open t he Program Compat i bil it y t roubleshoot er.
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Some hardware and devices that work in Windows 7 might not be detected or work in Windows XP Mode.
Windows XP Mode was primarily designed to help businesses move from Windows XP to Windows 7. It isn't
optimized for graphic-intensive programs such as 3D games, nor is it well suited for programs with hardware
requirements such as TV tuners.
If you're playing music or video in Windows XP Mode using Windows Media Player, and you maximize or minimize
the Windows XP Mode window, Windows Media Player will stop playing. To resume playback, click the Play button
in Windows Media Player.
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Bef ore you begi n
In order to use Windows XP Mode, you need to make sure your computer meets certain system requirements, otherwise
Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode won't work correctly, even though you might be able to download and install
them. Before you begin, follow these steps:
Make sure you're running Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate. To find out which edition of
Windows 7 you're running, click the Start button , right-click Computer, and then click Properties.
1.
Find out whether your computer's CPU is capable of hardware-assisted virtualization. To check, download and
run the Hardware- Assist ed Virt ual izat i on Det ect ion Tool.
If you receive the message This computer is configured with hardware-assisted virtualization, you can
run Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode. See the instructions below.
If you receive the error message "There is no hardware-assisted virtualization support in the system,"
your computer's CPU doesn't support hardware-assisted virtualization. You can still use Windows XP Mode by
installing an update to Windows 7. See Why am I receivi ng errors about hardware- assi st ed virt ual izat i on
(HAV) when I t r y t o use Windows XP Mode and Windows Virt ual PC?. Be aware that XP Mode will run much
better if hardware-assisted virtualization can be enabled.
If you receive an error message saying "Hardware-assisted virtualization is disabled," this means your
computer supports hardware-assisted virtualization, but you need to change settings in your computer's basic
input/output system (BIOS) to turn on hardware-assisted virtualization. Procedures to turn on virtualization
settings in your computer's BIOS vary depending on the BIOS manufacturer. Check the information that came
with your computer or go to the computer manufacturer's website.
2.
Warning
Be careful when changing BIOS settings. The BIOS interface is designed for advanced users, and it's possible to make
a change that could prevent your computer from starting correctly. For more information, see BIOS: f requent ly
asked quest ions.
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Inst al l i ng and usi ng Wi ndows XP Mode
To use Windows XP Mode, you need to download and install Windows XP Mode, and Windows Virtual PC, the program that
runs virtual operating systems on your computer.
When you install a program in Windows XP Mode, the program becomes available for use in both Windows XP Mode and
Windows 7.
Windows XP Mode follows the same support lifecycle as Windows XPextended support ended on April 8, 2014. Learn
more about Windows XP end of support .
Hide all
To downl oad and inst al l Wi ndows XP Mode
Go to the Windows XP Mode page in Download Center. 1.
Under Quick Details, select your language. 2.
Click Continue and follow the instructions on the screen to validate your copy of Windows 7. 3.
Select a version of Windows XP Mode to install and click Install.
Note: Windows XPMode_N versions don't include Windows Media Player.
4.
Click Run in your browser's message bar, and follow the instructions on the screen. 5.
When setup is completed, click Finish. 6.
To downl oad and inst al l Wi ndows Vi rt ual PC
Go to the Windows Virt ual PC page in Download Center 1.
Under Quick Details, select your language. 2.
Click Continue and follow the instructions on the screen to validate your copy of Windows 7. 3.
Select a version of Windows Virtual PC to install and click Install.
Note: The x64 version works with 64-bit versions of Windows 7. The x86 version works with 32-bit versions of
Windows 7. To find out if your PC is running 32- or 64-bit Windows 7, click the Start button , right-click
Computer, and then click Properties. 32-bit and 64-bit information appears next to System type.
4.
Click Run in your browser's message bar, and follow the instructions on the screen. 5.
Click Yes to install Update for Windows (KB958559). 6.
If you accept the license terms, click I Accept. 7.
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To set up Windows XP Mode f or f i rst use
Click the Start button , click All Programs, click Windows Virtual PC, and then click Windows XP Mode.
Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP in the list of programs
1.
If you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next. 2.
On the Installation folder and credentials page, accept the default location where Windows XP Mode files will
be stored, or choose a new location.
3.
Type a password, type it again to confirm it, and then click Next. 4.
On the Help protect your computer page, decide whether you want to help protect your computer by turning on
automatic updates, and then click Next.
5.
Click Start Setup.
After setup is complete, Windows XP Mode opens in a separate window.
6.
Warning
Antivirus software isn't included with Windows XP Mode. Even if your computer running Windows 7 already has
antivirus software, you should also install antivirus software in Windows XP Mode to help defend your computer
against viruses.
To inst al l and use a program i n Windows XP Mode
In Windows 7, click the Start button , click All Programs, click Windows Virtual PC, and then click
Windows XP Mode.
1.
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program's installation file, open the file, and follow the instructions to install the program.
Installing a program in Windows XP Mode
Click the Close button at the top of the Windows XP Mode window. 3.
In Windows 7, click the Start button , click Windows Virtual PC, click Windows XP Mode Applications, and
then click the program you want to open.
Note
If the Windows XP Mode window is open when you try opening a program in Windows XP Mode from
Windows 7, you'll be prompted to close the virtual machine. Be sure to save any data you want to keep in
Windows XP Mode before closing it.
4.
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Windows XP suppor t has ended. Keep your PC prot ect ed. Learn more
Install and use Windows XP Mode in Windows 7 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows7/install-and-use-windows...
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