Windows XP Mode Finalized, Ready For Your Windows 7

Posted by Daniel Shain

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The code for a Windows XP Mode which is built into the new Windows 7 was recently finalized. We've had our share of issues trying to run old software with Microsoft's patented "compatibility mode" feature, but this virtualized XP environment should work much better.

Microsoft assures us that anything that was compatible with Windows Vista will be compatible with Windows 7, but there may still be some old software that just can't cut the mustard. And even if there's a newer version of that software that does cut said mustard, well, it might just feel too much like home to give up the old XP version. For those of you caught in either of these traps, XP Mode will be the answer.

One of the nice touches about XP Mode is that you don't need to run it on a separate virtual desktop - you can run your old XP applications right next to your Windows 7 applications with less hassle (see picture - that's XP Mode Word 2003 next to Windows 7 Word 2007). Here's the rub though - the feature will be available as a free download, but only to owners of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate. So that means no free XP (SP3 if you were wondering) for all you home subscribers. Still, it's pretty cool that it has been improved to this extent, as it appears to remove a tremendous amount of legacy compatibility issues.

The download will be available beginning on (no shock here) October 22nd.

Via windowsteamblog via engadget - image via winsupersite

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