Windows 7 XP Mode Easy Setup

As I started to use Windows 7 as my primary OS I was very impressed at how well it runs as a whole. Far faster than Vista, prettier and more functional than XP. Oh, and PowerShell 2.0 of course! Out of all the apps I’ve installed so far I’ve only found one that doesn’t run in Win7 and that’s the vSphere client. Unfortunately for me I spend a significant part of my day managing VMware servers so this quickly became a big problem. I could go with the .NET 2.0 hack but I didn’t feel like potentially breaking other apps so I decided to finally check out XP Mode. Needless to say, I was pleasently suprised. In sharing the fun I found that people tend to get hung up on a few small details (mainly VT support) so I decided to put together this little guide.

Enjoy!

Step 1: Download Files

 

Download the Intel Processor Identification Utility or the AMD Virtualization Compatibility Check Utility

 

Then go to http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx and follow the download instructions to download the 32 or 64 bit XP Mode files which for me were:

1. Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu
2. WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe

 

 

Step 2: Verify your processor supports VT and that it’s enabled in BIOS

 

Install the Intel Processor ID Utility (pedenu22.msi)

Run the utility and click on the “CPU Technologies” Tab.

Ensure that “Intel Virtualization Technology” has the word “Yes” to the right of it.

 

 

 

***I didn’t have any AMD machines available at the time I wrote this article. If you have instructions and perhaps a screenshot of the AMD utility feel free to email me at evilemuofdoom@gmail.com and I’ll add it to this article.***

 

Verify VT is enabled in the BIOS :

 

Dell BIOS (Text Version: Latitude, Inspiron, etc)

• During “Dell” Splash screen on boot press F2 to enter the BIOS
• Using the arrow keys move down to “POST Behavior” and press Enter
• Move to “Virtualization” and make sure “Enabled” is highlighted
  • If not enabled, press Enter, selected “Enabled” and hit Enter again

• Press the “Esc” key, select “Save and Exit” and press Enter

 

Dell BIOS (GUI Version: Precision, XPS, etc)

• During “Dell” Splash screen on boot press F2 to enter the BIOS
• Expand the ”Virtualization Support” menu
• Select Virtualization
• Check the “Enable Intel Virtualization Technology” checkbox
• Click Apply
• Click Exit

 

*HP and Lenovo info from Microsoft.com:

 

HP BIOS:

• Press ESC when prompted to enter BIOS
• Press F10 to configure BIOS
• Use the arrow keys to scroll down to “System Configuration”
• Select “Virtualization Technology” and press Enter
• Select “Enabled” and press Enter
• Press F10 to Save and Exit
• Select “Yes” and hit Enter

 

Lenovo BIOS:

• Press the blue ThinkVantage key when prompted on boot
• Press F1 to enter BIOS Setup Utility
• Use the arrow keys to scroll down to “Config” and press Enter
• Select CPU and press Enter
• Select “Intel Virtualization Technology” and press Enter
• Select “Enabled” and press Enter
• Press Enter to continue
• Press F10 to Save and Exit
• Select “Yes” and press Enter

 

 

Step 3: Install Virtual PC and XP Mode

 

Install Windows 7 XP Mode Virtual PC Component:

• Run Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu (or Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu for 64-bit)
• Select Yes to reboot

 

Install Windows 7 XP Mode

• Run WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe
• Follow basic install instructions

 

Once XP is running, install an application like you normally would in XP and it will automatically create a shortcut on the Start Menu of the Windows 7 machine. Here is an example using the VMware vSphere client which currently does not run in Windows 7:

 

 

After your application is installed, close the XP VM by clicking the X in the upper right (it will notify you that the Virtual PC is being hibernated).

Now, go ahead and open your Application from the Windows 7 Start Menu. You should see a dialog box like this while it loads the VPC in the background and opens your Application:

 

 

Although technically it’s running in a Virtual PC, XP Mode does a pretty good job of making it look like the Application is running natively:

 

 

 

Comments, corrections, and/or additions are always welcome!