Install and Use Windows XP Mode in Windows 7

Install and use Windows XP Mode inWindows 7Applies to these editions of Windows 7

Professional

Ultimate

Enterprise

In this page

How does Windows XP Mode work?

Before you begin

Installing and using Windows XP Mode

Important

As of April 8, 2014, technical support for Windows XP and Windows XP Mode is no longer available, includingupdates that help protect your PC. This means that if you continue to use Windows XP or use Windows XP Mode ona 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 yourPC 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 7Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate editions. Windows XP Mode isn't supported on Windows 8.

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Windows XP support has ended. Keep your PC protected. 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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Programs can run in both Windows XP Mode and in Windows 7.

How does Windows XP Mode work?

Windows XP Mode works in two ways—both as a virtual operating system and as a way to open programs withinWindows 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, installprograms, 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 programsand 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 programdoesn't, first try the Program Compatibility troubleshooter. It's included in all editions of Windows 7. For moreinformation, see Open the Program Compatibility troubleshooter.



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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'toptimized for graphic-intensive programs such as 3D games, nor is it well suited for programs with hardwarerequirements such as TV tuners.

If you're playing music or video in Windows XP Mode using Windows Media Player, and you maximize or minimizethe 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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Before you begin

In order to use Windows XP Mode, you need to make sure your computer meets certain system requirements, otherwiseWindows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode won't work correctly, even though you might be able to download and installthem. Before you begin, follow these steps:

Make sure you're running Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate. To find out which edition ofWindows 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 andrun the Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool.

If you receive the message “This computer is configured with hardware-assisted virtualization,” you canrun 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 byinstalling an update to Windows 7. See Why am I receiving errors about hardware-assisted virtualization(HAV) when I try to use Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC?. Be aware that XP Mode will run muchbetter if hardware-assisted virtualization can be enabled.

If you receive an error message saying "Hardware-assisted virtualization is disabled," this means yourcomputer supports hardware-assisted virtualization, but you need to change settings in your computer's basicinput/output system (BIOS) to turn on hardware-assisted virtualization. Procedures to turn on virtualizationsettings in your computer's BIOS vary depending on the BIOS manufacturer. Check the information that camewith 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 makea change that could prevent your computer from starting correctly. For more information, see BIOS: frequentlyasked questions.



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Installing and using Windows XP Mode

To use Windows XP Mode, you need to download and install Windows XP Mode, and Windows Virtual PC, the program thatruns 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 andWindows 7.

Windows XP Mode follows the same support lifecycle as Windows XP—extended support ended on April 8, 2014. Learnmore about Windows XP end of support.

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To download and install Windows 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 download and install Windows Virtual PC

Go to the Windows Virtual PC page in Download Center1.

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 ofWindows 7. To find out if your PC is running 32- or 64-bit Windows 7, click the Start button , right-clickComputer, 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 for first 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 willbe 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 onautomatic 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 hasantivirus software, you should also install antivirus software in Windows XP Mode to help defend your computeragainst viruses.

To install and use a program in Windows XP Mode

In Windows 7, click the Start button , click All Programs, click Windows Virtual PC, and then clickWindows 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, andthen 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 fromWindows 7, you'll be prompted to close the virtual machine. Be sure to save any data you want to keep inWindows XP Mode before closing it.

4.

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Install and Use Windows XP Mode in Windows 7