[Frylock86]

Paul Thurrott and Rafael Rivera have just unveiled a new feature of Windows 7 today that they have been forced to keep a lid on for quite some time. Introducing Windows XP Mode (XPM) for Windows 7!

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Over a month ago, we were briefed about a secret Microsoft technology that we were told would be announced alongside the Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) and would ship in final form simultaneously with the final version of Windows 7. This technology, dubbed Windows XP Mode (XPM, formerly Virtual Windows XP or Virtual XP, VXP), dramatically changes the compatibility story for Windows 7 and, we believe, has serious implications for Windows development going forward. Here's what's happening.

XPM is built on the next generation Microsoft Virtual PC 7 product line, which requires processor-based virtualization support (Intel and AMD) to be present and enabled on the underlying PC, much like Hyper-V, Microsoft's server-side virtualization platform. However, XPM is not Hyper-V for the client. It is instead a host-based virtualization solution like Virtual PC; the hardware assistance requirement suggests this will be the logical conclusion of this product line from a technological standpoint. That is, we fully expect future client versions of Windows to include a Hyper-V-based hypervisor.


XP Mode consists of the Virtual PC-based virtual environment and a fully licensed copy of Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3). It will be made available, for free, to users of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions via a download from the Microsoft web site. (That is, it will not be included in the box with Windows 7, but is considered an out-of-band update, like Windows Live Essentials.)

More news - HERE -
Screenshots - HERE -

This post has been edited by Frylock86: 24 April 2009 - 10:32 PM

[MistaBishi]

Cool! Thanks for the share!

[CommonSense]

Awesome!

[PurplePeopleEater]

I love windows 7 now, they really! did listen to us!

[colourfulclock]

Microsoft is just giving away free copies of XP to people with Windows 7?
genius.
now i'll actually consider buying ultimate or professional instead of premium

Wait, why are Paul Thurrott and Rafael aware of this but no one else was informed? I can't find any info on this other than on their sites?

This post has been edited by colourfulclock: 24 April 2009 - 10:49 PM

[Frylock86]

colourfulclock, on Apr 24 2009, 06:48 PM, said:

Microsoft is just giving away free copies of XP to people with Windows 7?
genius.
now i'll actually consider buying ultimate or professional instead of premium

Wait, why are Paul Thurrott and Rafael aware of this but no one else was informed? I can't find any info on this other than on their sites?

Tom's Hardware has an article as well

[colourfulclock]

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Tom's Hardware has an article as well

Yeah its here if anyones interested. But why hasn't there been any large announcement from Microsoft? It seems like a pretty important drawcard for buying 7 to me Neither article gives a link to the actual announcement either.

[Freka]

Windows 7 just shot XP. Maybe we will finally be rid of it now.

This post has been edited by Freka: 25 April 2009 - 02:10 AM

[Gragier_521]

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XP Mode consists of the Virtual PC-based virtual environment and a fully licensed copy of Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3). It will be made available, for free, to users of Windows 7..

Great news

[Eye Pie Rate]

What's the big deal?
Who cares about XP?

I don't see why I would ever use it.
Infact, why would anyone?

[Syzygy]

Eye Pie Rate, on Apr 25 2009, 07:34 PM, said:

What's the big deal?
Who cares about XP?

I don't see why I would ever use it.
Infact, why would anyone?

I know so many average users that don't know their ways around Vista, let alone Windows 7 (Which they probably haven't used before)

In most people's opinion XP would be more user friendly.

And before you come back with another reply, please consider that just because you/ and or other users in this community know how to use Vista/Windows 7 without being confused, there are many dumb-ass users that don't.

[Eye Pie Rate]

I installed Windows 7 on my friends computer who doesn't even know what RAM or a Graphics card is or even that Alt + Tab existed, and he said it was easier than using XP.

[xsever]

AMIRZ. I am sure you are going to like this news! No matter what people say, the facts are showing that XP is not a OS!

[Syzygy]

Eye Pie Rate, on Apr 25 2009, 09:36 PM, said:

I installed Windows 7 on my friends computer who doesn't even know what RAM or a Graphics card is or even that Alt + Tab existed, and he said it was easier than using XP.

Your friend probably has an IQ higher than 100 then.

[Frylock86]

Eye Pie Rate, on Apr 25 2009, 05:34 AM, said:

What's the big deal?
Who cares about XP?

I don't see why I would ever use it.
Infact, why would anyone?

The deal is Microsoft can now say Windows 7 will be 100% backwards compatible with previous versions of Windows. This will allow gradual transition without breaking apps.

BTW: here is the announcement from Microsoft themselves:

http://windowsteambl...virtual-pc.aspx

This post has been edited by Frylock86: 25 April 2009 - 03:22 PM