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Windows XP Mode

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Windows XP Mode

An option for users who have the 64-bit version of Windows 7 and must run 16-bit DOS applications. Only 32-bit versions of Windows can run 16-bit DOS apps natively (see NTVDM), and Windows XP Mode (XPM) includes a complete copy of the 32-bit version of Windows XP along with Microsoft's Virtual PC software. See Virtual PC and virtual machine.

XP Mode Availability
XP Mode is free for users of Windows 7 Pro, Enterprise and Ultimate. Users of 64-bit Vista, 64-bit Windows 7 Home versions and 64-bit Windows 8 may employ VMware, Virtual PC (free) or any other Windows desktop virtualization product along with their own copy of Windows XP.

Although Microsoft dropped support for Windows XP Mode in Windows 8, it can be installed in Windows 8 if a user has technical expertise and a Windows XP installation disc. See desktop virtualization and Windows 7.


Windows XP Mode in Windows 7
XP Mode supports 16-bit applications, which require a 32-bit operating system.







XP Mode Uses Remote Desktop Protocol
Communication between the Windows 7 desktop and XP Mode applications is made via the Remote Desktop Protocol (see RDP and Remote Desktop Services).
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References in periodicals archive
And, given that older incompatible applications can still run in Windows XP mode if need be, there really is no compelling reason to buy a 32-bit version of Windows 7.
Windows 7: much better than XP or Vista--not quite OS Nirvana
Microsoft will include a feature that lets people run applications in a Windows XP mode on Windows 7 to ensure that applications not designed for the forthcoming OS can run on it, a company executive has said.
Windows 7 to feature XP mode for older applications
Only 8% said that they were "somewhat unsatisfied" or "very unsatisfied."<p>A major factor contributing to those positive attitudes is "Windows XP Mode," the add-on Microsoft announced in late May that lets users run applications designed for XP in a virtual machine in Windows 7.
Windows 7 to get boost from rebounding PC buying plans
For one, Starter does not offer the Vista-esque "Aero" graphical user interface; instead, it will use what Microsoft called a "Windows Basic" theme that resembles XP.<p>Also missing from Starter, said LeBlanc, is DVD playback; multi-monitor support; personalization tools that let users change the desktop wallpaper, colors and sound themes; the Windows Media Center software for watching recorded TV or other content; and domain support.<p>The low-end edition also lacks Windows XP Mode, the virtualized environment for running older applications.
Microsoft kills Windows 7 Starter's 3-app limit
will unveil an add-on to Windows 7 that lets users run applications designed for Windows XP in a virtual machine, the company confirmed Friday -- the first time Microsoft has relied on virtualization to provide backward compatibility.<p>Dubbed "Windows XP Mode," the add-on creates an XP virtual environment running under Virtual PC, Microsoft's client virtualization technology, within Windows 7, said Scott Woodgate, the director of Windows enterprise and virtualization strategy.<p>In a post to a company blog, Woodgate said the add-on is part of the pitch to convince businesses to migrate to Windows 7.
Windows 7 gets virtual 'XP mode'
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