If you are a Windows XP user and want to upgrade to Windows 7, but are reluctant to leave behind Windows XP or some Windows XP software applications, there is a way that you can have both with Windows Virtual PC.
With your installation of Windows 7 Professional, or Windows 7 Ultimate, you get access to Windows XP Mode. A copy of Windows XP is installed on your computer and you can access a Windows XP desktop from within Windows 7. Windows XP Mode runs many older Windows XP productivity programs and that are not natively compatible with Windows 7, meaning you can continue to use older software and not have to purchase replacements right away.
Virtual PC Windows 8
You can run a Windows XP desktop on your Windows 7 computer. In Windows XP Mode, you can access your physical computer’s CD/DVD drive, install programs, save files, and perform other tasks as if you were using a computer running Windows XP. Software you install in Windows XP Mode also appears on the start menu in Windows 7. This tutorial by How-To-Geek will walk you through the process.
Windows Virtual PC Windows 7
However, Windows Virtual PC is not offered on the new Windows 8, which uses Hyper-V for virtualization. Hyper-V is described more powerful than Windows Virtual PC, but it does not have an XP Mode. Why would you want Hyper-V? If you wanted to create a virtual desktop to test software, operating systems, or browsers on, or if you were running a help desk and needed to replicate issues that users were having with different OS versions.
Note: Microsoft suspended the support for XP in 2014.
But, if you are still using your XP software, and want a newer operating system, Windows Pro 7 or Windows Ultimate 7 will provide an update that will still allow you to use your older programs.
We hope you have enjoyed this post on Windows Virtual PC.