Datasheet

Virtualization Considerations 29
Windows XP Mode
Windows XP Mode is a virtualization technology that addresses a specific problem that
prevented many people from moving from Windows XP to Windows Vista. Many applica-
tions worked well in Windows XP but would not work in Windows Vista.
Interestingly, this problem prevented people from moving to Windows XP from
Windows 2000 in the early XP days. It seems to be a common problem, but Windows XP
Mode may be a definitive solution for those considering Windows 7.
Microsoft spent a lot of time and effort on Windows XP Mode, and from
everything I’ve seen it looks like it’ll be a success. It’s not uncommon for
Microsoft to use test topics to amplify the importance of features they’ve
added. If you’re preparing for the 70-685 and 70-686 Windows 7 exams, make
sure you understand the benefits and requirements for Windows XP Mode.
Windows XP Mode is a virtual instance of Windows XP running within Windows 7.
Applications that won’t run in Windows 7 can be installed in this instance of Windows XP.
However, Microsoft has engineered a great solution that doesn’t require the user to launch
Windows XP. When Windows XP Mode is configured, the user simply launches the legacy
application from their Start menu, and it appears as though it’s running just as any other
application would run.
Although Windows XP Mode is free with Windows 7, there are some requirements you
need to worry about. These include the following:
The processor must be capable of hardware virtualization.
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Virtualization must be enabled in the BIOS.
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At least 1.6GB free hard drive space must be available.
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If your system will support it, you can download and install Virtual PC for Windows 7
and then download and install Windows XP Mode for Windows 7.
Analyzing Your Existing Hardware Environment
Windows XP Mode originally required a processor that supports virtualization that needed
to be enabled in the BIOS. However, Microsoft later released an update with KB 977206 that
allows Windows XP Mode to work without hardware assisted virtualization (HAV). Intel
refers to HAV as Intel VT, and AMD calls it AMD-V. Both companies include utilities you
can download and run to determine if your processor has this capability.
Windows XP Mode works best if your processor supports virtualization.
However, if the processor doesn’t support virtualization or it isn’t enabled
in the BIOS, you can still use Windows XP Mode. Check out KB article
977206 at
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/977206.
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