XP Mode is ready, will be a free download on October 22
By Vladislav Savov 
posted Oct 2nd 2009 6:29AM
posted Oct 2nd 2009 6:29AM
[Via Ars Technica; Thanks, Eugen]
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First with an actual comment. When will XP die?
When people stop developing for it, and/or a more stable and functional alternative is offered.
7 is more stable as is Vista. My XP PC at work crashes every day without doubt.
"When people stop developing for it, and/or a more stable and functional alternative is offered."
Vista post-SP1 was a more stable/functional alternative. Now it's just silly.
With this virtual XP mode, it will definitely drive a nail down xp's coffin. M$ has also "silently" admitted vista is a DUD.
Win 7 is the way to go
When companies can afford it and it's secure enough to deploy on military hardware. Considering that many DoD components still use XP, it'll be a while.
Seeing as how we still use COBOL and DOS my guess is right after the next apocalypse.
"Vista post-SP1 was a more stable/functional alternative."
Thats hilarious. You obviously need to do other things with your computer than play games. If Vista post SP1 was in fact more stable, people would be using it in work environments more and they just arent. I know that i would not dare to subject anyone of my 100+ users to vista, you would have office shootings within a day.
Keep making stuff up though, good show.
@Tsing Tao
I have a handful of friends and acquaintances that are running Vista successfully and with out major issues at their companies. Which most of those are support more than just 100+ users, with one around 10,000.
Vista hasn't gotten a bad stigma, sure it had some issues out of the gate, but in reality, it isn't nearly as bad of an OS as people make it out to be.
I know for us, we just weren't ready to do a major OS upgrade to our 4,000+ PCs when SP1 came out. Now with 7 being hot on the heals of Vista, and that we are now ready, there obviously is no point for us to go to Vista.
Vista is terrible. End of story. Every Vista computer I used, even ones fresh out of a box, were slow, buggy, and incompatible with everything. It brought nothing to the table except misery. Anyone who says their XP computer at work crashes everyday has no business maintaining a computer's health.
That said, I am quite happy with Windows 7.
XP is kind of like a zombie. You can shoot it as much as it wants but it just needs more BRAAAAAAINNNNNNNNS.
omg YOU ARE AWESOME
I know
FAIL!
Lol at "party-pooping measure"
XP what? iPhone is the flavour of the day. Apple should release iPhone mode for Mac. No multitasking, no unauthorized apps, no copying of music without iTunes...
wow... just wow...
*sarcasm*
If they could pull it off, they likely would. A truly restrictive, truly 'trusted platform' setup would basically be Apple's ultimate dream. We've all seen the rumors about the tablet which point to that kind of environment. They want it.
Just when you think M$ does something good by adding XP mode to 7, they find a way to boych things up by adding "only for windows 7 professional or higher"...
"Windows XP Mode is designed to provide small business and mid-sized businesses"
Whether it's for Pro and up is not really the hurdle, owning a CPU and Mobo that supports virtualization is.
Updating your software for the new OS is always the best option. Running in a virtualised mode is always going to have disadvantages than running natively.
This move is just to appease businesses - the quicker they update their software or move to newer software - the better for them.
Home users shouldn't really care.
That new i5 CPU doesn't support visualization right? Sucks to be an i750 users I guess.
virtualization I mean to say.
The i5 750 does support virtualization:
http://ark.intel.com/VTList.aspx
Thanks for the update and link johnfrum.
XPee is just rancid.
Yeah, funny how it managed to survive so many years, huh.
...it opened a hole in my pants.
Awesome. I'll be totally be not running this in Virtual PC but Virtualbox because I don't have processor visualization.
Screw you Microsoft and Intel >.
Processor visualisation? What?
Have fun trying to extract the virtual HDD from the setup and get it all working.
only certain processors have Intel Virtualization Technology. for example:
Intel Core 2 Quad:
http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyID=28398
Intel Core 2 Duo:
http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyID=26547
or if you want to look at another processor family, check out their info page:
http://ark.intel.com/
Dont forget AMD's ADM-v virtualisation technology that has been in around since Athlon 64 was introduced I believe.
Woah! My spelling a grammar sucked when I wrote this –.–
@Akinwale I meant processor 'virtualisation', not 'visualisation', which mbentley and poke explained :)
@richb93 I've done it on the beta, which was simple process. Getting the virtual hard drive is as easy as extracting the installer like a zip, importing the virtual hard drive into new virtual machine, and installing Virtualbox tools for all the drivers ;)
It's a shame Intel disabled virtualization even on some of their quad core processors.
I blame sony.
Good plan kingu, direct that anger!
@wWhat: I almost spit coffee out of my nose at that one. Good stuff.
I'm currently running XP mode on Windows 7 RTM. It works really nicely! 16-bit games FTW!
I couldn't find a way to run the x32 Windows XP mode in 64 bit Windows 7; so I just use VMWare Workstation with Ghost mode on, same effect. I can enjoy my 16 bit games as well!
Or you could just use Virtualbox, wmware or other.
But then you need an XP license if you don't have one for your VMware, if we stay legal.
XPMode provides you with an XP license.
The "pay for something new that you paid for before" seems to be the model here.
Just to clarify, It wont work on anything else than win7, whereas the others will.
Why did Microsoft have to bother with CPU vitualization at all, yes if you have a CPU and Mobo that can do it then fine but if you don't it should just run in a virtual box.
The lack of systems supporting virtualization was been greatly exaggerated. Granted its probably not turned on by default at the factory, the option should still be their if the chip supports it. It just isn't supported on the cheapest Intel lines in desktop and mobile CPU's, but is supported on almost every AMD chip for the last 3 or so years. I have 2 HP laptops, one Intel based and one AMD based and 2 Lenovo laptops both Intel based that all support it but it had to be turned on. If you bought a cheap machine, don't be surprised its missing some features.
As for the requirement of hardware virtualization, its probably a usability/stability thing. Get Virtual PC 2007 or some other VM host that allows you to run hardware VM support off and on. Run the VM with it turned on, then shut it down and turn off hardware VM support. You will notice a huge difference in VM responsiveness.
The only thing I am not liking about the WinXP mode in Win 7 is that they have completely dumbed down the interface from even Virtual PC 2007 which is even more dumbed down from something like VM Ware 2 server, ESXi, or Hyper-V. Hopefully the RTM version of Virtual PC for Win7 has an advanced mode that the beta was sorely lacking.
@ivanotter:
Win9x still booted from DOS 7. It was cut down yes, but it was still DOS. Press ESC when the clouds come up and there it was in all it's glory. You don't remember "command prompt only" and ""Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode"? http://support.microsoft.com/kb/138996
OK, that came out in completely the wrong place. This is what happens when you combine replied split over two two pages with a nigh-on invisible downvoted root comment :\
Microsoft don't seem to understand the least about interface design. The Windows 7 interface is a joke. The promised "streamlining" fails to badly it hurts. Do some rightclicks on task buttons and close them on XP: It's fast because the mousing distance is 2 pixels and no fancy stuff is trying to pop up. Try the same on Windows 7, it's a slow fading-in mess with gloss and transparency and some preview of something I knew was there anyway. When will Microsoft learn?
All those refusing to switch to Vista or 7 are professional users who refuse to click through sentences of information when trying to find something in some preferences somewhere. On XP there were icons to give visual recognition, it's much faster than text based recognition. Any graphic designer, any interface designer and any normal person should agree with this. But Microsoft sadly don't. I will run XP until it dies a slow hardware death, then switch to mac.
I don't trust this XP Mode thing. I just can't believe that it should actually work well. Please prove me wrong.
W7 interface is much cleaner then XP´s... and if you don´t the fancy things just switch it off.
God save us from the short-bus XP special kids. Let it go, it's crap.
Listen to what Robin just said...LOL......duh!
It sounds like you're ignorant as to what XP Mode actually does. Otherwise, you'd know exactly how well it's going to work. It's not magic, it's not some weird mumbo-jumbo Microsoft pulled out their ass, it's just a virtual machine for XP that's integrated into the OS. It'll work just as well as any other program that runs XP in a virtual machine, which is to say that it'll only be useful for businesses who have apps that absolutely refuse to run under 7 and should be re-coded anyways.
+1 Timbo, by the way. I've felt that way for a while.
Were you once a die hard fan of MS-DOS 6.22 ? who refused to go on Windows 95 ??
@tom,
fail
Windows 95 is a windows manager FOR DOS like Gnome or KDE are for Linux.
BTW I did in fact hold on to DOS for quite a while since I couldn't get most of the PC games of the day to run under Windows 95. They did however run quite well on XP in compatibility mode.
Erm..., you can right-click and close windows in Windows 7 as well; as a matter of fact, you can close all windows for one application with one click!
And many professionals I know are eagerly awaiting for the retail version of Windows 7 to drop. They know they can turn off all of the transparency and fade-ins if they run it on a seven-year-old computer. As long as a recent version of the Office suite runs alongside Windows, that's all they're concerned with. The only people I know that aren't willing to switch are closed-minded IT guys that can't use the OS because their favorite tools aren't arranged the same as in XP; coincidentally, the same people that refuse to change a corporation's browser or allow the end user to the same.
@Chad
FAIL. Win 95 was the first of the non separate DOS (32bit) Windows operating system. Though it had a command prompt, a lot of MS-DOS commands beyond the basics no longer worked because it was not MS-DOS as we knew it (you could not boot into DOS mode, for example, like win 3.11 and older).
It was no longer a "windows Manager" for DOS. it WAS the OS at that point
Is it THAT hard to change the appearance on Win7? I mean seriously if your too lazy to do that you shouldn't even own a computer.
Installed it two weeks ago on my home PC, works perfectly.
this is really nice in Windows 7. Unfortunately for me my Mobo doesnt support such virtualization VT-x
disabled virtualization? That's readily available in my Asus p6t deluxe v2 bios. Windows 7 RTM FTW!
IMO XP is old news and Vista is better in its current state... the only thing that XP is better at right now is perception... Vista got a really bad name for having so many hiccups at launch but as of RIGHT now its alot more stable and faster and downright prettier than XP. Im using XP right now on my work PC and I use Vista SP2 on my laptop til Windows 7 comes out.
Everytime I get into an arguement with an apple fanboy they bring up how vista sucks and I work in tech support and when I ask a person what OS there using they always say " Vista Unfortunately" like im gonna shun them for using it.
This is why Windows 7 launch has to be buttery smooth with absolutely no hiccups, because even if they iron it out they like they did Vista , the public perception wont change and people wont buy it and XP will live forever.
I ran the WIN7 RC for a long time and really think that MS got the concept of first impressions meaning a ton, hence why they put out wjhat maybe the worlds biggest beta test ever.
Now with there free Anti-Virus up and running and available to the public. and a viable PMP option in the ZUNE HD. Im statting to think MS is starting to get the value of marketing, aesthetics, and public perception.
"the only thing that XP is better at right now is perception"
Yeah, for opinion! There are a lot of features in XP that I like better than Vista/7... specifically the treeview lines, classic start menu, minimal window layouts, and quick launch folders with expandable menus (and no, pinning is NOT the same.) That's not even getting into the configuration without having to use wizards and overhead for Aero.
Andir-
Can't you just create a custom toolbar for the last thing? Just right-click on the taskbar, and go to toolbars > New Toolbar...
AS much i like Win 7 I gotta agree to "close them on XP: It's fast because the mousing distance is 2 pixels"
It took a month to get adjusted.
You can install vmware that runs even for those device with locked-virtualization, and it is for free.
You can download and install a custom image of vmware, and it is also for free (up to 120 days but you can install over and over and over).
And Vmwares runs way better than virtual machine and runs in every single version of windows 7, vista and xp.
VM Ware is all nice and free for most versions. I run VM Ware Server 2.0 locally mainly because then I can push VM Images over to our ESXi farm easier.
However Windows XP Mode seems more for general consumption VM usage and it comes with a free legal copy of Windows XP Pro ready to go.
The whole point of this is for business that OPERATE under certain programs that are not coded for 7. I don't get whats so hard to comprehend there. Thats why it's ony Pro and up. Most "home" users don't need it. It's not about people holding onto an old interface. If that was the case, why the hell would they upgrade in the first place. I work at an engineering company and at least 6-7 of our programs only run on XP. And yet we still run Cad2010 and Revit MEP.
It's a great option and works well I might add. Interface doesnt need to be complicated because if the program you are using is only coded for XP than it's obviously legacy. Legacy programs don't necessarily need much other than to run. (in a business environment anyway).
Exactly what you said. And in fact, I'd bet most businesses don't need XP Mode either - just ones that use specialized software.
Why consider the exorbitant cost of 'upgrading' my netbook currently running (very well indeed, thank you) XP and - by many reports - the subsequent drop in benchmarks?
My virtualization? Sticking with XP.
If you make something that is intentionally difficult to replace with anything
else, and you do a good job at this task then you will ultimately have a big
problem trying to migrate these "captives" to the next best thing once you
decide to unleash it upon the market.
It sounds like XP is the new IE6.
Microsoft is a victim of it's own success. It's hilarious.
The VPN softwares work only in windows XP. I guess this is a great help for such users
And just watch, here's what's coming. 2012 - Windows Apocalypse Edition (The FINAL Windows). 2015 - New Windows, with Windows 7 compatibility mode, because WAE was a bust.
Windows XP FTW
It has been avaible for a long time for free.
To all those folks who say "Vista was a dud, windows 7 is the way to go".
Go ahead and continue to reward the software company that made you pay for a substandard product. That will sure motivate them to keep producing the best OS they can.
XP needs to die, so hopefully supporting it this way will allow them to gradually ween people off of it...like a nicotine patch.
and on a side note, I never really noticed the difference between the logo for XP and for 7ista. It actually looks alot nicer now with the soft bloom as opposed to the faux 3D waving flag look.
Buy a new operating system and then download a free patch to make it look just like the old one. Maybe I'm missing the point here. Why not just keep the old one?
Yeah cause thats the point with this....Read my above post. Some of you guys have crappy comprehension skills or just like to make something out of nothing.
All I can say about Windows 7 is that it's Windows that works well and that it's a solid experience. It's nice to be able to play PC games and not be hampered by the OS.
Most (not all, but MOST) people have neither the need nor the desire to buy a new operating system - and consequently new hardware - every 3 years. Perhaps one day Microsoft will "get it" and stop putting out crap that nobody wants. Instead of putting lipstick on a pig, MS would be smart to make HUGE improvements to Windows before expecting people to buy each new edition.
Wasn't this "XP virtualization" already known a few months ago? I guess I don't understand what the breaking news is here. I've been running RC1 for a while now and am enjoying my XP mode with a few programs. So what didn't we already know about this?
I also find it funny that people are hating on XP when 90% of windows users refused and still refuse to let go of it. XP was like a godsend and now all of a sudden it's crap. I guess it's just the way of the techies... once something new comes out the old reliable solution is automatically crap.
But that's just my observation.
That was the Beta version. This is the final release version
They shouldn't have called it "XP Mode". They should have called it "Legacy" mode which means "OLD AND TIME TO UPGRADE YOUR SOFTWARE...". No matter what people say, Windows 7 and Vista were technological improvements to the Windows OS. Sure Vista had some "performance" issues, but it provided more capabilities than XP such as wider native driver support, more thought out folder organization, native window previews on the start bar, Dreamscene for those who can support it, and super awesome alt+tab. I mean...pretty and exciting is why people like Macs, right?
1 year from now, XP will be just as equivalent as NT4, 95, 98, ME, and 2000. I guarantee you this. Windows 7 is perfect for any Windows user.
Just ordered! Student discount means Professional x64 upgrade was only £30, plus £9 for a physical disc. Looking foward to it! Also from what I can see the XP mode is seamless with Windows 7 now which I couldn't see the option for when I tried it when it was initally available for download.
funny how short a time span it has been from XP being the darling stable, fast, bug free alternative to Vista hell, to being the unstable, slow, buggy alternative to Windows 7.
I'd just like to point out that "XP Mode" makes no attempt at video card acceleration (no DirectX/OpenGL games). This is focused on business apps that might have compatibility issues. Though as other posters commented, it does rock old school 16-bit games.