NEWS
Microsoft is trying to make it easier to sway users of Windows XP onto the latest version of its operating system.
The company has been building a "Windows XP mode" that uses virtualisation to allow Windows 7 to easily run applications designed for Windows XP. According to sources familiar with the product, the application compatibility mode is built on the Virtual PC technology that Microsoft acquired in 2003, when it scooped up the assets of Connectix.
By adding the compatibility mode, Microsoft is aiming to address one of the key shortcomings of Windows Vista: its compatibility issues with software designed for Windows XP and earlier versions of the operating system.
The technology has not been part of the beta version of Windows 7 or previously disclosed by Microsoft but is expected to be released alongside the upcoming release candidate version. Microsoft said on Friday that it will release it to developers next week and publicly starting 5 May.
Details of the Windows XP mode, previously known as Virtual Windows XP, were first published on Friday by the Windows SuperSite blog.
Later on, Microsoft confirmed XP Mode in a blog posting.
Microsoft's Scott Woodgate said in the blog: "Windows XP Mode is specifically designed to help small businesses move to Windows 7. Windows XP Mode provides you with the flexibility to run many older productivity applications on a Windows 7-based PC."
According to the post, "all you need to do is to install suitable applications directly in Windows XP Mode which is a virtual Windows XP environment running under Windows Virtual PC. The applications will be published to the Windows 7 desktop and then you can run them directly from Windows 7".
Microsoft said it "will be soon releasing the beta of Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC for Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate".
Comments
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1. Richard Howlett
Better late than never I guess. The hassle I had renewing software when I changed from XP to Vista at home was enough to have put me off attempting it at work. It sounds like the wait for W7 might be worthwhile after all.
2. Nick Cole
Great, but what do we get from 7 compared to what we are used to from XP, 2000 etc? Is there any real business benefit from such a change, along with the additional training, support, hardware and so on that goes along with it?
Why buy virtual software (and the additional hardware) to merely run what we already have in place now?
What is the real cost of the move, compared to the cost of staying with what we already know and is (apparently) doing all we need to do?
Or is this yet another move to try and justify and cover the development costs of the new versions by Microsoft programmers?
It would appear that all the advice for techies to think business is not listened to in Microsoft!
3. GALLEYSLAVE
I'll stick with my old XP ta very much!
4. karen challinor
so home users still have to update software then
and does the XP compatability mode apply to device drivers or will we still have to throw half the office equipment away because it can't be handled by the new OS
5. Ellen O
I was a neutral to positive user of Microsoft very happy with XP. And then I was forced to upgrade by circumstances to Vista.
Vista is by far the crappiest OS I have ever used. Even CP/M was better.
So I have gone back to XP and will NEVER upgrade to any other Misift junkware
6. Lionel A Smith
Nick:
'What is the real cost of the move, compared to the cost of staying with what we already know and is (apparently) doing all we need to do?'
I think your answer is on here Nick in this article on Silicon.com:
'Windows 7 XP Mode targets SMEs: But needs extra beef'
Some computers may run it others won't. Looks like hassle whatever happens.
So overall why bother?