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Windows 7 To Include "Windows XP Mode"

Posted by Soulskill on from the os-that-won't-die dept.

Z80xxc! writes "Paul Thurrott's WinSuperSite reports that Windows 7 will include a built-in virtual machine with a fully licensed copy of Windows XP Professional SP3. The VM runs in a modified version of Virtual PC, and applications running in the VM can interact directly with the host operating system as if they were running on the Windows 7 installation itself. While details are scarce for now, it looks as if this feature will only be available as a (free) addon for Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Windows 7. Also, a processor supporting hardware virtualization will be required, indicating that this is perhaps aimed more at power users and corporate users, rather than consumers. Microsoft confirmed the feature last night."

4 of 364 comments (clear)

  1. Re:And who needs it most? by Lord+Lode · · Score: 5, Informative

    I think companies are more likely to depend on old software that runs only on XP. So they target the correct users indeed.

    Most non-corporate users only use programs to browse the tubes, print documents, send email and view photo's, nothing that depends on XP :)

  2. Apple called from the year 2000 by foniksonik · · Score: 4, Informative

    Apple called from the year 2000 and wants their legacy transition strategy back... but hey it did work, so I say go for it Microsoft.

    BTW virtualization need not be in a window. When Apple provided OS 9 aka "Classic" support they didn't make the apps second class citizens in any way relevant to getting work done. Sure they were running in emulated mode and were not as fast as they could be but they had access to all peripherals, etc.

    Modern virtualization allows for way better performance, full access to all hardware and as importantly can still be sandboxed.

    They should hide all the virtualization aspects though and just let the apps open like they are regular apps with maybe a title bar note saying "(Windows XP) or something so there is a clue when an app gets updated to full native capabilities (the note will go away.

    When Mac OS did this transition it was actually quite exciting (though also frustrating) as I would be on the look-out for the OSX native version of some software to come out.... then we got to do it again when the Intel binaries came out...

    Anyways, if Microsoft does it right it will be transparent and will allow them to finally do away with the legacy support roadmap. This XP virtual mode will be there as long as it takes for companies to move their apps over to 64 bit Windows 7/8 whatever compatibility.

    --
    A fool throws a stone into a well and a thousand sages can not remove it.
  3. Re:Requested by the Military by wwphx · · Score: 5, Informative

    I hope this causes them to upgrade their VirtualPC as it doesn't support USB devices currently.

    --
    When you sympathize with stupidity, you start thinking like an idiot.
  4. Re:I knew it! by windwalkr · · Score: 4, Informative

    Carbon is the API abstraction layer; Classic was very much a VM - you even got to watch MacOS 9 boot in a window prior to any Classic application being loaded.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_(Mac_OS_X)

    Classic was only a VM and not an emulator, which is why the Intel chips are not supported.