What is Windows XP Mode?

Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 makes it easy to install and run many Windows XP productivity applications directly from your Windows 7-based PC. It utilizes virtualization technology, such as Windows Virtual PC, to provide a virtual Windows XP environment for Windows 7.

Although Windows 7′s “XP Mode” has been a welcome feature of the new operating system, there’s been a fair bit of confusion brought on by the virtualization layer’s hardware requirements.

To work, XP Mode has required a PC processor that supports hardware virtualization, and that feature had to be turned on in the computer’s BIOS (basic input/output system). Those requirements caused some problems, as PC owners didn’t always have an easy way to tell if their system fit the bill.

Well, those requirements are no more. As part of a wave of virtualization announcements on Thursday, Microsoft said people running Windows 7 will now be able to use XP Mode without having to know whether their PC processor supports hardware virtualization.

“This change simplifies the experience by making virtualization more accessible to many more PCs for small and midsize businesses wanting to migrate to Windows 7 Professional or higher editions, while still running Windows XP-based productivity applications,” Microsoft said in a blog posting.

It’s worth noting, those already running XP Mode don’t need the update, but those who had found themselves on the sidelines because of their PC hardware can download the update (which should be comingdown automatically from Microsoft soon) (are available below) and try out XP Mode. To run XP Mode legitimately, users still need to be running the Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate editions of Windows 7.

Update Links:

Windows 7 32-bit (3.7MB)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=837f12aa-1d37-464e-ae59-20c9ecbebaf6

Windows 7 64-bit (4.1MB)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=e70dd043-e262-43c0-a002-446567f1e2b4