Install, Setup and Work with Virtual XP Mode in Windows 7 – AppCompat Series

Windows XP Mode is a virtual machine package for Windows Virtual PC containing a pre-installed, licensed copy of Windows XP Service Pack 3 as its guest Operating System. XP Mode provides an additional layer of application compatibility in windows 7, which means that, you will have additional time to migrate your existing applications to the new operating system. XP Mode applications run in a Terminal Services session in the virtualized Windows XP, and are accessed via Remote Desktop Protocol by a client running on the Windows 7 host.

Windows XP Mode will work only under Windows Ultimate, Professional and enterprise flavours

Prerequisites:

Your hardware should have a virtualization capability such as Intel VT or AMD VT in the CPU and also this feature should be enabled in your BIOS settings (Update: Windows XP Mode will no linder require hardware Virtualization Technology - check the first section of this article).

In addition because XP mode is running a virtual instance of Windows XP; it needs additional RAM and Disk Space.

XP Mode can be downloaded from here!!!

Install the executable which you get as a download, along with the Virtual PC Update. Once installed, you can just trigger it in a single click from the start menu. A tutorial will also run to help you. Once the setup is done, the XP mode will run in the Virtual PC. You can install all the incompatible applications in the XP mode VM.

This will automatically publish all the shortcuts in the start menu. From there on, you can go to windows 7 start menu, open the application from the (Start Menu->Programs->Windows Virtual PC->Windows XP Mode Applications). You can also pin the application to the start menu or Task bar.

Pre-installed integration components allow applications running within the virtualized environment to appear as if running directly on the host, sharing the native desktop and Start Menu of Windows 7 as well as participating in file type associations.

When you invoke the application for the first time, you will get this below dialog. This is just setting and configuring your Virtual mode. Also, you may see the risk dialog near the system tray.

This signifies that a Proper security is needed – You should consider Windows XP in XP Mode as just another OS on your network. So the deal here is that, you should patch the system, run antivirus on it and keep it protected just like Win 7.

Internet Explorer ver 6 and 8 Flock Together

Many organizations have their internal websites and web applications which have their compatibility concerns while moving to a different browser or a different version of the same browser (IE6 to IE8). Redesigning and modifying this will involve a lot of effort and time. Using the Windows XP Mode, you can have 2 versions of Internet Explorer running on your machine. This signifies that, you can have your internal web-applications launched from the IE6 (through the Virtual XP Mode).

The Virtualization layer is so well made that, when we go to the default directories from the application, it points to the Windows 7 machine and not the Windows XP Virtual Machine.

For eg: I am running a Adobe reader 7.0 from the Virtual XP mode (see image), and when I did an open file from the File-> Open dialog, I get the Windows 7 Desktop and not the Windows XP machine.

This also takes care of the file extentions. I mean, if you dont have a adobe reader installed on your Windows 7 machine, having a file say, test.pdf will autmatically associate itself to the Adobe reader of the Virtual XP and open the file.

Summing Up

Applications running in Windows XP mode do not have compatibility issues as they are actually running inside a Windows XP virtual machine and redirected using RDP to the Windows 7 host. As an IT-Pro, you also save a lot of time in training the user on how to run this app in the new OS. It also eases the user to use the applications as if they are running the applications natively from Windows 7.

Graphic intense applications (like 3d games, AutoCAD etc) do not have an optimal functionality in the XP Mode. Also, some enhancements which can be made to nurture the User Experience is to provide the desktop snapping for left, right screen alignment and Takbar icon of the application (as of now, we get a Virtual machine Taskbar Icon).

For More Compatibility articles, Check here –http://www.msigeek.com/category/compatibility/

Just wanted to add these 2 documents available on the Microsoft download center aboutWindows 7 XP Mode

· Deploying Windows XP Mode – Guidance for Deploying Windows XP Mode in Small and Midsize Businesses

· Windows XP Mode IT Professional Deployment Overview – Explores features of Windows XP Mode and provides guidance to set up a small Proof of Concepts

The Complete Application Compatibility Series

· Part 1: How do you fix the OS Version Number Issues?

· Part 2: How do you Fix Browser Compatiblity Issues?

· Part 3: Demystifying the Windows 7 Virtual XP Mode (Currently Open)

· Part 4: Session 0 Isolation and Secure Desktop

· Part 5: Libraries, UAC, WRP and other Core Changes

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Windows 7 Deployment Learning Portal from Springboard Series Team.

Get helpful tips and tricks from Bytes by TechNet host Keith Combs and Senior Community Manager Stephen Rose on how to use the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) to create a technical proof of concept to help you see how Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2010-as part of the Microsoft Optimized Desktop-will work in your environment.

About this Portal – The Deployment Learning Portal is an online assessment and learning tool administered by The Test Factory on behalf of Microsoft Ltd. It requires a separate registration and login process than the Windows Live login process used by TechNet. By registering for this experience, you accept that your data will be sent to The Test Factory, which is located in the United Kingdom.

Register for this Portal here – http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ff470986.aspx

You will be interested in also reading these tips -

§ Deployment Image Servicing & Management (DISM) How-To Articles

§ Download Windows 7 Training Kit For Developers

§ Application Compatibility Toolkit Guides / How To Tutorials

§ Download Windows 7 & Office 2010 Deployment Proof of Concept (PoC) Jump Start Kit

§ Install, Setup and Work with Virtual XP Mode in Windows 7

How to Make Windows XP Startup Faster?

Do you often get frustrated while you wait around for your slow Windows XP computer to startup? Windows XP will automatically load and startup all the programs that are in the startup folder whether you intend to use them or not. This article will show you how you can speed up the bootup process of your XP PC by removing the programs that usually bog it down.


==Steps==
#Click on ''Start'', then ''Run'', and type ''"msconfig"''. Wait for a new window to pop up.
#Look under the "BOOT.INI" tab. You will see a box labeled "Timeout:", and a numerical value. By default, it's 30, which means 30 seconds of wait time before boot. This can be changed, make it 3 seconds. (Note: if you have more than one operating system, this means the wait time to startup to the highlighted Operating System. Sometimes you might want a bit more than 3 seconds than you can opt 5 or 10 seconds)
#Delete The Temporary Files Periodically From Your Computer To Make The Applications [[Run Faster|Run Faster]]. Type %Temp% in the run dialog box by clicking on Start -> Run, and click on "OK". You will see an open folder with many files. Click on the Edit menu and click on Select all and then click on the File menu and select Delete. Note: Always confirm that the folder which is opened has a "temp" on the top of menu bar and the folder indicates that it is a temporary folder.
#Perform a Scandisk To See That Your Computer Hard Drive is in Healthy Condition and it helps Your Computer Run Faster
#Always Perform a Disk Defragmentation at least once in a month. Start the disk defragmentation from the system tools available in the accessories from the start menu. It takes a longer time and it is advised not to run any applications in the computer including the screen savers, while running disk defragmentation.


=== Hibernation ===


After doing all this, another method you can do is to allow the computer to ''hibernate.'' Hibernation closes and opens Windows faster than usual. However, Hibernation is a good long-term recommended solution, as it does save electricity.


#Go to Start->Control Panel->Power Options. Click on the Hibernate tab.
#Click on the box that says "Enable hibernation" to check it.
#Click on the Advanced tab and change the Power buttons options if you want to hibernate by pressing the sleep button or the power button. Otherwise, holding the Shift key while in the Turn Off Computer menu will give you the option to hibernate.
#Restart your computer every week or so to clean your computer.
The power can then be completely turned off, even at the socket so that no power is wasted.


=== Prefetch ===


#Simply browse to the windows folder (Ex: C:\Windows) and under there you would see the prefetch folder. Go into the prefetch folder and delete all the files (Beware! It should look like this c:\windows\prefetch). We need to edit a registry key to tweak it. Open regedit and browse to this key:


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters


Under this key you should see a value named: EnablePrefetcher


It has 4 possible values:


0 - Disabled : The prefetch system is turned off.


1 - Application : The prefetch only caches applications.


2 - Boot : The prefetch only caches boot system files.


3 - All : The prefetch caches boot, and application files.


You need not to disable it entirely. This would actually make boot times *longer*. This is because this feature is also used to speed up the loading of boot files. That is why you should pick the number 2 option. It allows you to keep the advantage of caching system files, without continually clogging the system up with applications.


Set the value to 2 and reboot.


The 2nd time you boot it should boot much faster. Remember that, the side effect is that launching individual applications once windows has loaded will now be slightly slower.


== Tips ==
*When installing any new software, choose not to add the program to the startup folder. It often slows start up.


*Regularly check to see what programs are running in your startup folder as malicious programs such as spyware may have installed itself without your permission.


*If you accidentally uncheck a program, just retrace the steps above and recheck the program and restart your computer.


*Adding more RAM to a Windows XP computer helps it boot faster, and since RAM prices are very low these days, adding RAM strength is an easy way to boot faster.


*Visit http://www.Sysinfo.org and look up the program and its details you don't know what one of the listed programs do. Alternative sites: [http://startups.cesam-antimalware.com/En/ CESAM Startup Files Database], [http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups Bleepingcomputer Database].


*Uncheck system startup unnecessary startup programs.


== Warnings ==
*Always Save any open work before making changes.
*Shut down all applications before making changes.
*Don't uncheck anything from Symantec or any other anti-virus or anti-malware software. Doing so may disable or hinder the protection of your PC.
*Read your manual before you do any of thses steps.

How to maintain the computers for hackers or Virues?

Warning ! Ensure Proper Earthing for ur PC.

Use Quality Products always.

Use Box Processor for Maximum performance & Warranty

Use Legal Softwares to avoid data corruptions and Failures.

Use Legal Anti Virus to avoid data corruptions & Hardware Failures.

Update your Antivirus every week.

Use surge Protector for your Internal Modems.

Keep the UPS in-charge for 24hrs regularly for Extended Battery Life

Protect ur Printers from External Elements when not in use

Avoid re-filling cartridges more than 3 times

Avoid UPS Systems & Speakers very close to the Monitor