Is 'XP Mode' in Windows 7 something you'd want to use?

**MIG-31** · May 4, 2009, 05:38 PM

It could be Microsoft's most effective response to date to the issue of downward compatibility. But does this mean Windows XP lives on forever in your PC?
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Source: Betanews

SeraphicSorcerer · May 4, 2009, 06:40 PM

You know this is basically just the same thing as "classic" was under MAC OS X. Although Mac OS X had a much different architecture. Anyhow, I am sure it will "work" and be popular.

BlueMak · May 4, 2009, 06:46 PM

Does this mean that 7 will be less compatible with XP if you don't use this XP mode than Vista is? For example if you don't have Ultimate version or just don't want to use the mode.

**Mousey** · May 4, 2009, 07:25 PM

Should keep the "Bring Back XP" Whiners happy, Personally i say scrap XP forever and force em to adapt but whatever floats the boat i suppose.

**dj_stick** · May 5, 2009, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMak

Does this mean that 7 will be less compatible with XP if you don't use this XP mode than Vista is? For example if you don't have Ultimate version or just don't want to use the mode.

no it won't be any less compatible than Vista, what the XP mode is, is a Virtual Machine running a copy of XP, relatively isolated from the rest of Windows 7 - so programs that ONLY work on XP, that fail to install/open on Vista/7 will run just fine - there are quite a few business applications in that category, as well as a few older games

it's actually a pretty neat idea from MS, but it does require you to have an existing valid XP license (no problem for those upgrading...)

[hobo]eclipse · May 5, 2009, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_stick

it's actually a pretty neat idea from MS, but it does require you to have an existing valid XP license (no problem for those upgrading...)

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are you serious, was all for it till i heard that, not that it matters for me really, but jeez

roadrunner17 · May 5, 2009, 04:36 AM

Sounds pretty cool.
To be able to use XP without dual-booting.

A way to get everyone to upgrade.

**dj_stick** · May 5, 2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [hobo]eclipse

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are you serious, was all for it till i heard that, not that it matters for me really, but jeez

if you're pgrading from XP, well you've got that license you can use - and iirc they're really aiming this at businesses that already have a volume licensing system in place

BlueMak · May 5, 2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_stick

no it won't be any less compatible than Vista, what the XP mode is, is a Virtual Machine running a copy of XP, relatively isolated from the rest of Windows 7 - so programs that ONLY work on XP, that fail to install/open on Vista/7 will run just fine - there are quite a few business applications in that category, as well as a few older games

it's actually a pretty neat idea from MS, but it does require you to have an existing valid XP license (no problem for those upgrading...)

ok, thanks.

OldBuzzard · May 5, 2009, 12:36 PM

You won't have to already have an XP license to use this. They will be giving you a LICENSED copy of XP as a part of the package.

IvanV · May 5, 2009, 01:47 PM

I heard the same as OldBuzzard and upon skimming thorough the article, I'd say that that will be the case:

Quote:

Essentially giving away a working XP kernel -- which is what Microsoft has decided to do -- is the company's boldest move toward neutralizing the negative impact of the downward compatibility argument on the operating system.

Still, this will only be free for buyers of Win7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate (others will have to pay), though that kind of makes sense. Also, it won't work on all CPUs, only those that support virtualisation in hardware. That would be pretty much all recent AMD CPUs, but on Intel's side it would have to be C2D E6000 or higher with, I think, exception of some E7000 models.

BlueMak · May 5, 2009, 02:01 PM

Will this have the limitations of VMs? For example, will "it" see and use as such my radeon or will it "see" it as a S3 or something?

**dj_stick** · May 5, 2009, 02:17 PM

that's actually something worth looking into - i have a feeling graphics performance isn't going to be a top priority though

Tyrsonswood · May 5, 2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_stick

i have a feeling graphics performance isn't going to be a top priority though

I would imagine this is correct, they aren't adding this feature for gaming, it's for business software written for XP. There are still a lot of business running XP because they have proprietary software written for this OS and they never upgraded to Vista. Microsoft wants to sell the new Win7 OS to everybody, so this is one way to accomplish this. Or so they hope...

roadrunner17 · May 5, 2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_stick

if you're pgrading from XP, well you've got that license you can use -

Can you upgrade to 7 from XP?

In the Beta you had to have Vista SP1 to upgrade.

Maybe the RC will let you do it from earlier windows, I'll have to check it out in a while.

Does anyone know for sure?

Tyrsonswood · May 5, 2009, 02:50 PM

Not "for sure" but I have read several places that an XP to Win7 upgrade won't be possible.

MitchRapp · May 6, 2009, 03:10 AM

never ever upgrade
fresh installs are the way to go !

May 4, 2009, 05:38 PM	#1
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 56,854 Rep Power: 471 System Specs	Is 'XP Mode' in Windows 7 something you'd want to use? It could be Microsoft's most effective response to date to the issue of downward compatibility. But does this mean Windows XP lives on forever in your PC? ____________ Source: Betanews __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here

May 4, 2009, 06:40 PM	#2
SeraphicSorcerer HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 2,295 Rep Power: 156 System Specs	Re: Is 'XP Mode' in Windows 7 something you'd want to use? You know this is basically just the same thing as "classic" was under MAC OS X. Although Mac OS X had a much different architecture. Anyhow, I am sure it will "work" and be popular. __________________

May 4, 2009, 06:46 PM	#3
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,478 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	Re: Is 'XP Mode' in Windows 7 something you'd want to use? Does this mean that 7 will be less compatible with XP if you don't use this XP mode than Vista is? For example if you don't have Ultimate version or just don't want to use the mode. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

May 4, 2009, 07:25 PM	#4
Mousey Synth's Long Lost Bro Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Web Design Hell Posts: 7,189 Rep Power: 245 System Specs	Re: Is 'XP Mode' in Windows 7 something you'd want to use? Should keep the "Bring Back XP" Whiners happy, Personally i say scrap XP forever and force em to adapt but whatever floats the boat i suppose. __________________

May 5, 2009, 04:36 AM	#7
roadrunner17 DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Irvine, Ca Posts: 41 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Is 'XP Mode' in Windows 7 something you'd want to use? Sounds pretty cool. To be able to use XP without dual-booting. A way to get everyone to upgrade.

May 5, 2009, 12:36 PM	#10
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,783 Rep Power: 145 System Specs	Re: Is 'XP Mode' in Windows 7 something you'd want to use? You won't have to already have an XP license to use this. They will be giving you a LICENSED copy of XP as a part of the package. __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

May 5, 2009, 02:01 PM	#12
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,478 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	Re: Is 'XP Mode' in Windows 7 something you'd want to use? Will this have the limitations of VMs? For example, will "it" see and use as such my radeon or will it "see" it as a S3 or something? __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

May 6, 2009, 03:10 AM	#17
MitchRapp a.k.a. pepiman Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 998 Rep Power: 51 System Specs	Re: Is 'XP Mode' in Windows 7 something you'd want to use? never ever upgrade fresh installs are the way to go !