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    Best (the cheapest) solution for running Windows XP within Windows 7.

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by HorrorofSpamylon, May 4, 2010.

  1. HorrorofSpamylon

    HorrorofSpamylon Notebook Geek

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    Here are the basics about my situation.

    -Windows 7 Home Premium Laptop

    -I have two Windows XP 32bit licenses that I am currently not using.

    -I have the opportunity to by Windows 7 Professional for 65 bucks with a student discount.

    I guess I am looking for the best solution that is potentially free. Right now, it seems that solution would be Sun Microsystems' VirtualBox, but can anyone with experience with it tell me about its general quality? Also, does anyone find it more worthwhile to pay for another piece of virtualization software or use XP emulation in Windows 7 Professional?

    Any help will be greatly appreciated.

    P.S. Yes, the processor is capable of virtualization.
     
    HorrorofSpamylon, May 4, 2010
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  2. lbohn

    lbohn Notebook Consultant

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    Why not try them both?

    VirtualBox is free to download and use: download it, install VB, install XP and see if that solution works for you. Enable seamless mode for application window publishing (IIRC -- Left CTRL + L).

    XP Mode can be setup on Windows 7 Home Premium using Windows Virtual PC from Microsoft. You only need to download Step 2 - Windows Virtual PC. Windows 7 Professional provides for a free license of XP for use in XP Mode; Windows Virtual PC runs on any version of Windows 7, except Starter. Since you already have a XP license, install Windows Virtual PC and use one your XP licenses to install XP inside VPC. Enable the integration tools in VPC and your installation will function exactly like XP Mode in Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate.

    --L.
     
    lbohn, May 4, 2010
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  3. HorrorofSpamylon

    HorrorofSpamylon Notebook Geek

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    Thanks! I was not aware of Home Premium's compatibility. I will see what works best.
     
    HorrorofSpamylon, May 4, 2010
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  4. Syberia

    Syberia Notebook Deity

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    Yes, if you already have a license for XP, you are (completely legally) allowed to run MS Virtual PC (you will have to tell MS that you have Win 7 Pro in order to access the download, but it doesn't matter since it's a free program) with your own copy of XP installed inside of it. Instant Windows XP mode at no cost to you.

    Since you're not downloading the whole Windows XP Mode package at once from MS, I think there are a few settings you have to change to make it function exactly the same way, but I've never tried it so I don't know what they are.
     
    Syberia, May 5, 2010
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