In a previous article, I’ve explained as to what is Windows XP mode in Windows 7 and how it is useful for running older programs in Windows 7. In this article, I’ll be discussing the method to set up Windows XP mode in Windows 7. Before you proceed further to set up Windows XP mode, you must confirm whether your Windows 7 has the minimum system requirements to run the XP mode, as described in the above article. Please remember that you must have Professional, or Enterprise, or Ultimate editions of Windows 7 to run the XP mode.
Here is the detailed procedure for setting up XP mode in Windows 7:
(1) First check whether your computer is running 32-bit version or 64-version of Windows 7. To check this, click the Start button in your Windows 7, right-click Computer, and then click on Properties option. Now, look for this information next to System type under System.
(2) You’ll have to first download and install Windows Virtual PC in your Windows 7. This program can run virtual operating systems on your computer. For downloading it, visit Microsoft’s Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC website, and then click Get Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC now (see image below):
(3) On the next screen, in the Windows 7 system type drop-down list box, select which version of Windows 7 you’re having on your computer, also depending upon whether you’ve 32-bit or 64-bit version, as determined above.
(4) In the same screen, in the Windows XP Mode language drop-down list box, select the language you want to use for the Windows XP Mode.
(5) Now, click Download Windows Virtual PC link to download this file. Save the downloaded file to your computer (in case you may need it again). Then, double-click this file to install Windows Virtual PC which is basically an update for Windows 7. Therefore, it will ask you whether to install Update for Windows. Click Yes.
(6) After the installation of Windows Virtual PC is complete, restart your computer.
(7) Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode will now be listed in the list of programs in Windows 7 (see image below), after the computer restarts:
(8) In the next step, you’ll have to install Windows XP Mode. For this purpose, you’ll be required to download Windows XP Mode, that is a fully licensed version of Windows XP with Service Pack 3. To download and install it, select Start -> All Programs -> Windows Virtual PC -> Windows XP Mode.
(9) In the Windows XP Mode dialog box that appears on the screen, click on Download. You’ll be taken to Microsoft’s Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC webpage that you’ve already visited earlier to download the Windows Virtual PC (see, steps 2 and 3, above).
(10) On this web page, in the Windows 7 system type drop-down list box, select which version of Windows 7 you’re having on your computer, also depending upon whether you’ve 32-bit or 64-bit version.
(11) In the same screen, in the Windows XP Mode language drop-down list box, select the language you want to use for the Windows XP Mode.
(12) Now, click Download Windows XP Mode link to download this file. Save the downloaded file to your computer (in case you may need it again). Then double-click this file to install Windows XP Mode program.
(13) Go past the Welcome dialog box. Accept the default location for the virtual hard disk file that Windows XP Mode uses; and then click on Next.
(14) This will install the Windows XP Mode.
(15) When you launch it for the first time, while on the Installation folder and credentials page, you may accept the default location to store the Windows XP Mode files, or change the location if you so wish.
(16) Enter a password for accessing the XP mode.
(17) In the next Help protect your computer screen, select whether you want to turn on automatic updates, and then click Start Setup.
(18) After the setup is complete, Windows XP Mode opens in a separate window.
This completes the setting up procedure. Now, the Windows XP mode is ready for use in your Windows 7 system. It will allow you to use your older programs in Windows 7 and will help you to save your money in as much as you don’t have to buy those programs / software again for Windows 7.
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