Win 7’s XP Mode Needs Virtualisation-Friendly Processor, Licensed XP

@apollo89:

I DO expect them to give me XP. Simply because Windows 7 is, in the end, nothing but an updated XP. And simply because Microsoft's responsible for not being able to run certain XP programs in the future.

Adrian Buyssens

@Darkmatter91: I really dont see why you expected them to just GIVE you XP. No matter what Virtual Machine you try to use, you HAVE TO HAVE the OS to use in it. I don't see why you expect special treatment because it is MS.

apollo89

@Darkmatter91: What's up with M$? You know... They just want more revenue....

Raul Montana

I knew that it sounded too good to be true....I'm still looking forward to it though...I've been using Windows 7 since it was available in Beta and I have no complaints.

(FIRSTTTTTTTTTTTTTT) lol

Raul Montana

You have to have XP?!?! That completely ruins this feature, the whole idea was it required no extra effort to make everything work. I have XP SP3 but this is not easy for the consumer! Whats up Microsoft?

I'm not sure why XP mode exists, it could be that Microsoft are not fully confident Compatibility Modes do the job well.

Also, Microsoft will need to keep XP updated for much longer than usual with the addition of XP Mode in Seven for security exploits doesn't it?

aarste

@timgray: O.K., but does everyone know the ins and outs of Sun software as well as you apparently do?

tok3ninja

@knoxjon: Mine says Locked On instead of Yes for Hardware Virtualization, is this a bad thing at all?

aarste

This is obviously some strange new usage of the word "included" that I was not previously aware of.

Seriously, if they call it a "mode", it should be part of the Win7 product. If all they are doing is including a VM, then don't spin it as "XP mode"--it's just another VM, and you could already use VirtualBox or VMWare Player or something for free already.

brianary

By the way, if you need to know if your computer supports virtualization, Steve Gibson (of Opt Out fame) wrote a little program that'll tell you. I think it's called Securable.

knoxjon

@Adrian Buyssens: Thats a stupid argument. If thats how it is, I should get OSX Leopard for free, simply because I have Panther, and all Leopard is is a patched up version, and breaks other programs.

Grow up, Peter Pan.

Josh Lewis

So you've used it? Where did you manage to find a leaked copy? Or have you not used it and are not making assumptions? Or did you travel in time to after its release? If so, can I hop in your DeLorean and come with you?

Sun VM may offer more freedom, but we don't know that it will be better. Also, something that's easy for the end user will usually win over something that's better (see how many people use Windows Media Player over clearly better alternatives).

betawind

So after all, what is so special about this "Virtual XP" feature? Aside from adding Start Menu shortcut, it's still a virtual machine running in background. Seamless mode has been provided in VirtualBox for ages.

Now the users will suddenly find their Windows 7 running too slow, without knowing that they actually running XP *inside* Windows 7, and though they're now using or seeing XP, it's still running.

People has complained about heavy Windows services, and now come the "Virtual XP" to make it even slower.

tvbusy

I would've used this. But no, they have to bullshit me.

I'll stay with VM. Or dualboot. Or even two separate PCs linked by a network cable.

Still superior to 7's XP mode.

Allan 'kaecy.us' Bowden-Smith

i still don't understand why anyone would be that excited to run to win7 when it releases... what's wrong with XP? absolutely nothing! and microsoft just made it more valuable by adding it (as an add-on) right into their brand new os!...

it doesn't make sense to me why someone would buy windows7 when it's still important to hang on to xp

bonneyt

@Darkmatter91: I've updated the post (and headline) to reflect that, while not 100% confirmed, it seems you may not actually need an XP SP3 license to use XP Mode. Apologies for the confusion; it comes from somewhat vague language in the source article.

Who cares. Sun's VM is better than theirs and allows you way more freedom.

Windows 7's XP feature is pretty useless.

timgray

I've got a triple boot system.
Ubuntu (my primary)
Win 7 (games)
Win XP (need for a few pieces of software)

And I also use several virtual machines. Is there a way for my virtual machines to read and write from a physical boot sector?

Man that would be awesome.

l337_7r4d3r

Wouldn't It make more sense to just download VirtualBox and use that instead? Then you would have support for multiple OSs

SarojMarten

@here (just below the Figure 1) it will be downloadable from the microsoft site for all licensed Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions.

apnoetaucher

No!!! XP Mode has the OS and is free!!!

"At its core, XP mode consists of two things, the Windows Virtual PC engine and a licensed copy of Windows XP Service Pack 3 as a packaged virtual machine. Although neither piece will be included in the Windows 7 box, XP Mode will be a free download for those who have a license to Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise, or Windows 7 Ultimate."

They've been handing out free xp images for virtual pc for years for IE6 and IE7 testing.

It wouldn't be in their best interest to keep licensed win7 users from having immediate access to this feature, especially if some people are on the fence about switching.

SamburgerHandwich

@jtj:
Not quite. First, Lifehacker and its CNET source are almost certainly wrong. Everyone else is reporting that the XP license is included with XP Mode.

Second, it provides desktop integration so that the XP Mode apps run on your Win7 desktop and not in an OS window on your WIn7 desktop.

Third, who said anything about "Ultimate"? You can get this by buying Win7 Pro, which is probably what most LH readers would get anyway.

DWHarrison

@jtj: *edit* OK, after actually RTFA, its absolutely clear that you do not need your own XP licence. Where did that information originate from?

Still, it'll require a fair amount of overhead, particularly seeing as you'll need an antivirus/antispyware/etc/etc/etc inside the VM.

I heard that if you want to run XP, that you can run it all by itself without Windows 7, and that way you don't have to complain about it.

Think about it: Microsoft is giving you FREE virtualization software. If you don't like it, go buy a copy of VMware. Either way, you STILL have to provide the OS to run in the virtual machine. Don't want to pay for a copy of XP? Use Ubuntu.

@Brian: Reading this I think I would have to agree. It sounds like people who have Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate will be able to download a Virtual PC engine and a licensed copy of XP that are bundled together for free.

Hookem123

@Bert Bronaugh: I doubt you will find a site comparing 7 to XP. You will need to read up on Vista vs XP then Vista vs 7.

oh! and will you be able to use Windows 7 upgrade with your old XP license?

Jeff Carnahan

im going to go ahead and say that you guys are wrong here. im pretty sure XP mode comes with a fully licensed copy of XP SP3.

natenovs

@Brian: To me, that sounds like it's a free add-on.

I wonder if the student key will work ;)

Jeff Carnahan

STOP SPREADING FUD!!! XP mode does not require you to already own a copy of XP. It comes with fully licensed XP Pro.
"XP Mode couldn't be simpler. It consists of Windows Virtual PC 7.0, a new version of Microsoft's client-based virtualization product line, and a fully licensed install of Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3). (You can also install other OSes into the Windows Virtual PC 7.0 environment if you'd like.)"

[www.winsupersite.com]

STOP SPREADING THE BS!!!!!!

nightryder21

@garbanzo-bean: "A Microsoft director has pinned down the details for the 'XP Mode'". I believe he's right.

izym

@garbanzo-bean: sadly, probably not lifehacker

natenovs

@VegardMagooglymonkey: Convenience. Let's see you rebooting just to run a program. Anyway, any program that you are going to require XP to run is probably not that much of a resource hog that a Virtual Machine would not be speedy enough for your needs.

@VegardMagooglymonkey: It's intended for people who have one or two apps that only work in XP. If that is the case why in the hell would you want to reboot just to access them? I think you missed the point.

That's pretty funny, seeing as you can barely purchase XP anymore, and you can't re-use a licence...

By the sounds of things, this feature is pretty useless - just literally a renamed version of Virtual PC that you could easily download and install anyway, without buying Windows 7 Ultimate.

@Adrian Buyssens: Well. Look at it this way: If you have some programs that only works in XP, you probably have a XP license as well. Or course there is that case, where you never ran XP and suddenly need to use a program that only works in XP.

You should also notice that it is only for Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate. Most non-business customers will probably be running Home Premium/Basic or Starter.

Those running Ultimate will probably have a XP license. Other than that it's only business only, and since companies have legal XP licences on their computers, they can simply use that licence for XPM.

izym

Windows 7... strings attached!

AmTechIV

I usually wait for a while after new OS's come out to see whether or not they're worth making the switch. How does 7 look so far, as compared to Vista and XP? I've got Home Premium, and some of my friends are wondering whether it's worth getting a laptop with 7 on it. I know this is a topic that can take pages to answer, so anybody know of some forums that explore this comparison further?

BTW, to the new LH members, congrats and welcome.

Bert Bronaugh

@Adrian Buyssens: Every current version of something is an updated version of a previous project...That's usually the point..
And Wrong. If your programs don't run in any Windows version past XP it's because those distributing it decided it shouldn't be, not because Microsoft hates you. Might I suggest newer programs that are updated? Or troubleshooting compatibility for XP in Windows 7?

shadoblak

Here is the part from the article. It is a bit ambiguous but I don't think you need to pay for the XP license.

At its core, XP mode consists of two things, the Windows Virtual PC engine and a licensed copy of Windows XP Service Pack 3 as a packaged virtual machine. Although neither piece will be included in the Windows 7 box, XP Mode will be a free download for those who have a license to Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise, or Windows 7 Ultimate.

Brian

"And simply because Microsoft's responsible for not being able to run certain XP programs in the future".

Are you high? It's not Microsoft's responsibility to manage the hundreds of thousands of software applications in existence. It is the vendor's responsibility to update their programs for the appropriate operating system.

coldwind41

I don't see the point of a virtual XP. I you already have a licenced version of xp, and buy windows 7 why not just dual boot? I doubt the virtual machine will run as well as a native install of the OS in any case. That's how I have my system at the moment and I don't see any need to change that.

VegardMagooglymonkey

@Adrian Buyssens: Just like you expect a free copy of tiger when you buy snow leopard.

puntai

It was too good to be truth.

hmm. i have also read the opposite of this, that xp mode comes with a fully licensed version of xp.

i wonder who's right?

garbanzo-bean

LOL. You said that I personally would buy Mac products? LMFAO.

digitaldragon

@puntai:
LOL. YOU said that I personally

digitaldragon

I thought of that too

TammyLagma

oops, just saw the update. Turns out it was just a rumor.

The fact of the matter is that by providing windows XP within windows 7, Microsoft allows itself to depart from maintaining perfect backwards compatibility within new operating system. The requirement of perfect backwards compatibility leads to a bloated operating system and stagnating development. XP virtualization that requires a windows XP license is as good as removing the feature for the majority of users. Not to mention that Microsoft loses nothing by allowing XP to run virtualized without a license. Very few people would purchase both XP and Windows 7, so Microsoft loses practically no potential profits. Honestly, requiring a license sounds so ridiculous that I think this is either a rumor, or Microsoft will change their decision.

@l337_7r4d3r:
It's possible but a PITA with Windows because it detects it as different hardware when you boot on the iron vs. when you boot in the VM. So you constantly get license issues. Ubuntu, on the other hand, works quite nicely in this fashion.

Well, hey, look at that.

[lifehacker.com]

@Raul Montana: (FAIIIIILLLLL) lol... WHY EVEN BOTHER! It just makes you look stupid and childish.

In effect XP mode is just a case of downloading Virtual pc and using your copy of xp in a virtual machine. Hmm I'm sure I can already do that, without using xp mode.

GershamFimbria

I really don't see why there are all these bad comments, XP mode is purely for migration nothing else, its there as reassurance (or backup :-) ) for users that migrate from xp to 7 and are worried about their applications been incompatible, the fact is they probably already have a valid XP licence (however i think it may be included in 7). as for not been as advanced as VMware and the likes, this is probably designed for the average user who needs it running in the least number of steps/complexity. Besides i doubt many people will need xp mode seems to be okay with most xp apps i have used with it directly. beside there is another option its call multi-boot... AndiC

PaulMaguire

Agreed. Or if you have your own version, you can run a better virtualization tool like virtual box or VMware.

JacquelineToad

@FastBytes: That is an excellent question and one I really wish I knew the answer to.

betawind

@aarste: That's a really good point as it is currently expected to drop support for XP in 2014, but that would need to slip to whatever Windows 7 users are promised. The problem with this though is it gives XP users just another reason to stay with their already supported and purchased platform so how will Microsoft make their precious millions if they failed with Vista!

Also this poses issues for developers having to constantly still support the NT 5 platform while trying to ensure stability with Vista and Win7(NT 6)

I can see why it requires a compatible CPU as the integration needs to be as efficient as possible to save users finding Windows 7 as slow as Vista is compared to XP! Test your system compatibility with GRC SecurAble

What I am curious about, if one is running W7-64bit, will you be able to run XP in 32 or 64 bit mode.

@aarste: Probably not. It just means your bios are locked. Most likely that's because you have them locked. It could also say that because of a rootkit, though, so you might want to double check.

knoxjon

@dmanbluesfreak: VOTE: 1 month ban to "first" timers, and lifetime ban if repeated.

gover57

@apnoetaucher: Yeah, I found out it was going to be free as well. I just based my statement on the Lifehacker article. Thanks for the link by the way. :)

izym

Dang... 2GB RAM? That's going to dissapoint a lot of people, me one of them.

manutdfan539

@Darkmatter91: It's all about the $$$

ikawka

@DWHarrison:
Your second point is totally wrong. XPM is a *Virtual PC* running on Win7. The only illusion that you see is the seamless mode that VirtualBox from Sun has provided for ages, which put windows of the virtual XP on your Win7 desktop.

Seamless mode is nothing new. LH has already introduced it more than one year ago:
[lifehacker.com]

tvbusy

wait... you have to buy a bloated operating system in order to use a slim operating system hat you can already get - but when you use it you'll have to have a powerful computer to run it. I mean, it ensures basic compatibility, but doesn't change one of the biggest pluses of using xp. Why would I want this?

ShankhamalaSketch

The reason not to dual boot is because it is a PITA for a single application and it makes it hard to integrate (i.e. cut/paste) programs. I have one application (custom, niche and not easily replaceable) that will not run under Vista. It is much easier to open a virtual machine and run it than to reboot. This would be a dandy solution if it were available on Win 7 home version.

QuonEurylochus

@DWHarrison:
Your second point is totally wrong. XPM is a *Virtual PC* running on Win7. The only illusion that you see is the seamless mode that VirtualBox from Sun has provided for ages, which put windows of the virtual XP on your Win7 desktop.

Seamless mode is nothing new. LH has already introduced it more than one year ago:
[lifehacker.com]

tvbusy

I have a better question...if your going to run a virtual version of Windows XP on Windows 7 then why even upgrade/purchase windows 7????

PerlaGebius

@AmTechIV:

HOW is this strings attached? You don't want XP mode, you're not required to use it.