Straight to the point...

[pilgrim72]

Hello...

In Windows 7 (Final retail, not RC), does the Home Premium versio include something that 'emulates' Windows XP to allow older PC programs to run ok - or is that something thats only available under Win7 Pro.

In addition, am I dreaming it that I read somewhere that the virtual machine technology in Win7 (if that's what the above is) will only work on certain compatible processors - and if so, does anyone know where a list of these processors can be found?

Many thanks,

Denny.

[codemonkey]

I believe it is only the Pro and Enterprise versions which have the XP Virtual Machine

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

And as for CPU's the CPU has to be able to support virtualisation. My laptop manages it with a T7250 so I'm sure most modern CPU's will be able to.

Updated with link

[system7]

List of compatible CPU here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86_virtualization

[pilgrim72]

Brilliant.

Thanks guys.

So Win7 is unlikely to run my X-Com UFO or my Master of Orion then?

;)

Best keep my copy of XP for a dual boot methinks!

Thanks for another speedy reply lads!

:hail:

[system7]

Have you not been able to get those games going in some sort of right-click compatibility mode then in Windows 7 RC1?

[NeilX90]

Am I right in thinking, then, that this is a proper VM ? I.e., the PC should boot in the VM, BIOS accessible etc. If this is the case, then using the XP VM to browse etc. should completely eliminate any nastiness that may arrive through your browser, downloads etc. All that would get infected would be the VM.

Or have I really not understood this !

[Recoil]

I'm not sure whether its possible to boot it separately from BIOS, i've never tried, but this is how it is for me...

Me talking to myself on Windows Live (with 2 different emails ofcourse):
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/Crag2/vxp.png


Maximized Window:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/Crag2/vxp3.png



Fully Maximized, its as if i was running XP instead :):
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/Crag2/vxp4.png


If you, say leave open Windows Media player, then close down the VM. When you reopen the VM again, WMP will still be open :)

[system7]

Thta's really very impressive, Recoil... :thumbs:

I think I'm right in saying virtualisation isn't suitable for gaming, because you need to assign a separate graphic card to it to get 3D acceleration, which is awkward in practise:



“Windows XP Mode is best suited for older business and productivity applications such as accounting, inventory and similar applications. Windows XP Mode is not aimed at consumers because many consumer applications require extensive use of hardware interfaces such as 3-D graphics, audio, and TV tuners that do not work well under virtualisation today.”


http://apcmag.com/inside-windows-7s-virtual-xp-mode.htm

[Baggpuss]

looks like quite a neat feature to have but its still not worth the double price over home premium i paid :P