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How to Download Windows XP Mode with Virtual PC
Do you have some old applications that only run on Windows XP and not on Windows 7? Do you want to use them without having to dual boot or install another operating system? If so, you might be interested in Windows XP mode, a feature that allows you to run a virtual machine with Windows XP on your Windows 7 computer. In this article, we will show you how to download, install, and use Windows XP mode with Virtual PC, a Microsoft virtualization technology.
What is Windows XP Mode and Why You Need It
Windows XP mode is a free pre-installed virtual machine running on Virtual PC in Windows 7. It is designed for the user who does not have a lot of resources to spend on IT or on revamping important software. Windows XP mode extends the lifecycle of many older Windows XP applications that are not compatible with Windows 7. By using Windows XP mode, you can run these applications in a virtual Windows environment, with a single click, directly from your Windows 7 desktop.
download windows xp mode with virtual pc
Benefits of Windows XP Mode
Some of the benefits of using Windows XP mode are:
You can run many productivity applications that require Windows XP in a secure and isolated environment.
You can access your Windows 7 files and devices from within the virtual machine.
You can save time and money by avoiding the need to upgrade or replace your software or hardware.
You can enjoy the best of both worlds: the features and security of Windows 7 and the compatibility and familiarity of Windows XP.
Requirements for Windows XP Mode
To use Windows XP mode, you need to have the following requirements:
A computer that has a CPU that supports hardware virtualization. You can check if your CPU supports this feature by using tools like [SecurAble](^1^) or [Microsoft Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool](^2^).
The virtualization option must be enabled in the BIOS. You can access the BIOS settings by pressing a key (usually F2, F10, or Del) during the boot process.
A licensed copy of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate edition. You can check your edition by right-clicking on Computer and selecting Properties.
At least 2 GB of RAM and 15 GB of free disk space for each virtual machine.
A high-speed internet connection to download the necessary files.
How to Install Windows XP Mode and Virtual PC
Once you have met the requirements, you can proceed to install Windows XP mode and Virtual PC by following these steps:
Downloading Windows XP Mode Package
Go to the [Microsoft website](^3^) and select your language.
Click on Download and save the file (WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe) to your computer.
Double-click on the file and follow the instructions to install it.
Extracting the VHD File
Right-click on the file (WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe) and select Properties.
Click on Unblock and then OK.
Open the file with an archiving application that can extract ZIP files, such as [7-Zip] or [WinRAR].
Extract the file (sources\xpm) to a folder of your choice.
Rename the file (xpm) to xpm.vhd.
Adding a Browser Offline Installer
Since the Windows XP mode does not have an updated browser, you might want to add a browser offline installer to the VHD file. This will allow you to install a browser of your choice in the virtual machine without having to connect to the internet. You can download an offline installer for [Firefox], [Chrome], or [Opera] from their respective websites. To add the installer to the VHD file, follow these steps:
Mount the VHD file by opening Disk Management (Start > Run > diskmgmt.msc).
Click on Action > Attach VHD and browse to the location of the xpm.vhd file.
Select the VHD file and click OK.
A new drive letter will appear in Disk Management. Note down the drive letter.
Copy the browser offline installer to the root of the new drive.
Unmount the VHD file by right-clicking on it and selecting Detach VHD.
Setting Up a Hyper-V VM
Now that you have prepared the VHD file, you can set up a Hyper-V virtual machine using it. Hyper-V is a built-in virtualization feature in Windows 7 that allows you to create and manage virtual machines. To set up a Hyper-V VM, follow these steps:
Open Hyper-V Manager (Start > Run > virtmgmt.msc).
Click on Action > New > Virtual Machine.
Follow the wizard to create a new virtual machine. Give it a name, such as Windows XP Mode, and assign it at least 512 MB of RAM.
When asked to choose a hard disk, select Use an existing virtual hard disk and browse to the location of the xpm.vhd file.
Finish the wizard and start the virtual machine.
First Boot and Activation
The first time you boot the virtual machine, you will need to activate Windows XP mode. This is a one-time process that will not require any product key or internet connection. To activate Windows XP mode, follow these steps:
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When prompted, enter a password for the default user (XPMUser) and click Next.
Select No, not at this time when asked to register with Microsoft and click Next.
Select No when asked to enable Automatic Updates and click Next.
Select your time zone and click Next.
Wait for Windows XP mode to finish setting up and restart.
Login with the password you created earlier.
A dialog box will appear asking you to activate Windows XP mode. Click Yes.
A confirmation message will appear saying that Windows XP mode has been activated successfully. Click OK.
How to Use Windows XP Mode Applications
Now that you have installed Windows XP mode, you can use it to run your old applications that are not compatible with Windows 7. Here are some tips on how to use Windows XP mode applications:
Launching Windows XP Mode
To launch Windows XP mode, you can either start the virtual machine from Hyper-V Manager or use the shortcut in Start > All Programs > Windows Virtual PC > Windows XP Mode. The first option will open the virtual machine in a separate window, while the second option will open it in a seamless mode that integrates with your Windows 7 desktop. You can switch between these modes by using Ctrl+Alt+Break or by clicking on Tools > View Full Screen/View Integration Features in the virtual machine window.
Installing Applications in Windows XP Mode
To install applications in Windows XP mode, you can either use an installation CD/DVD, a USB flash drive, or a network share. You can access these devices from within the virtual machine by clicking on Tools > Settings > DVD Drive/USB/Integration Features and selecting the device you want to use. Then, you can run the setup program as usual and follow the instructions. Alternatively, you can drag and drop files from your Windows 7 desktop to your Windows XP mode desktop and vice versa.
Accessing Windows XP Mode Applications from Windows 7
One of the advantages of using Windows XP mode is that you can access your applications from your Windows 7 desktop without having to launch the virtual machine. To do this, you need to enable the Auto-publish feature in Windows XP mode. This feature will automatically create shortcuts for your applications in Start > All Programs > Windows Virtual PC > Windows XP Mode Applications. To enable the Auto-publish feature, follow these steps:
Launch Windows XP mode and login.
Click on Tools > Enable Integration Features.
Enter your password and click OK.
Click on Start > All Programs > Windows Virtual PC > Windows XP Mode Application Publishing.
Check the box that says Enable at startup and click OK.
Restart Windows XP mode.
Now, you can access your applications from your Windows 7 desktop by clicking on their shortcuts. You can also pin them to your taskbar or start menu for easy access.
How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Mode Issues
Windows XP mode is a great way to run your old applications on Windows 7, but it is not without its issues. Sometimes, you might encounter problems with performance, compatibility, or security. Here are some common problems and solutions that might help you troubleshoot Windows XP mode issues:
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem
Solution
The virtual machine is slow or unresponsive.
Make sure you have enough RAM and disk space for the virtual machine. You can adjust these settings by clicking on Tools > Settings > Memory/Hard Disk in the virtual machine window. You can also try to disable unnecessary features or services in Windows XP mode, such as Aero, antivirus, firewall, etc.
The application does not run or displays an error message.
Make sure you have installed the latest updates and drivers for Windows XP mode and the application. You can check for updates by clicking on Start > All Programs > Windows Update in the virtual machine. You can also try to run the application in compatibility mode by right-clicking on its shortcut and selecting Properties > Compatibility. You can choose a different version of Windows or adjust other settings that might help the application run better.
The application does not appear in the Auto-publish list.
Make sure you have enabled the Auto-publish feature in Windows XP mode as explained above. You can also try to manually create a shortcut for the application by right-clicking on it and selecting Send To > Desktop (create shortcut). Then, copy the shortcut to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Windows Virtual PC\Windows XP Mode Applications in the virtual machine. This will make it appear in the Auto-publish list on your Windows 7 desktop.
The application does not access or recognize your devices or files.
Make sure you have enabled the Integration Features in Windows XP mode as explained above. This will allow you to access your devices and files from within the virtual machine. You can also try to change the settings for each device or file by clicking on Tools > Settings > DVD Drive/USB/Integration Features and selecting the appropriate option.
The virtual machine is infected with malware or viruses.
Make sure you have installed an antivirus program in Windows XP mode and scan your system regularly. You can also use [Microsoft Security Essentials] for free protection. You can also try to restore your system to a previous state by using System Restore in Windows XP mode. You can access this feature by clicking on Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to download, install, and use Windows XP mode with Virtual PC, a feature that allows you to run a virtual machine with Windows XP on your Windows 7 computer. This way, you can run your old applications that are not compatible with Windows 7 in a secure and isolated environment. We hope you have found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.
FAQs
Q: Can I use Windows XP mode on Windows 8 or 10?
A: No, Windows XP mode is only available for Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate editions. However, you can still use Hyper-V or other third-party virtualization software to create a virtual machine with Windows XP on Windows 8 or 10.
Q: Can I use Windows XP mode offline?
A: Yes, you can use Windows XP mode offline once you have activated it online. However, you will need an internet connection to download the Windows XP mode package and the browser offline installer. You will also need an internet connection to access online services or websites from within the virtual machine.
Q: Can I use Windows XP mode on a Mac or Linux computer?
A: No, Windows XP mode is only compatible with Windows 7. However, you can use other virtualization software, such as [VirtualBox] or [VMware], to create a virtual machine with Windows XP on a Mac or Linux computer.
Q: Can I upgrade Windows XP mode to a newer version of Windows?
A: No, Windows XP mode is a pre-installed virtual machine that cannot be upgraded. If you want to use a newer version of Windows in a virtual machine, you will need to create a new virtual machine and install the operating system yourself.
Q: Can I customize Windows XP mode to suit my preferences?
A: Yes, you can customize Windows XP mode to some extent, such as changing the wallpaper, theme, resolution, sound, etc. However, some features or settings might not work properly or affect the performance of the virtual machine. You should also avoid making changes that might break the activation or integration of Windows XP mode.
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