Windows 7 "XP mode" won't work on some PCs

Thu May 7, 2009 1:48PM EDT

See Comments (17)

One of the most recently added features to Windows 7 -- a feature which has a lot of people awfully excited -- is the introduction of what is being called "Windows XP Mode." In reality, the already-acronymed XPM, which will be a component of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate, will let users run applications in a "virtual machine," akin to how Mac users can run Windows apps inside the MacOS environment by using the add-on software Parallels. The idea: XPM will let you run older applications which may not be compatible with Windows 7 or even Windows Vista by using this virtual mode as an alternative, avoiding the incompatibility headaches many complained about when Vista was released.

Now it looks like there's a catch (as there always is), as XPM won't run on dozens of chips. We're not talking about your decrepit 386SX PC, either, but a whole range of processors that even includes some versions of the Core 2 Duo.

The full list of chips includes all Celeron, Pentium Dual-Core, Pentium M, and Atom 270 and 280 CPUs, as well as certain versions of the Pentium D, Core, and Core 2 Duo. Many if not most AMD chips are also bound to be problematic with XP Mode. ZDNet has the complete list here; you can find your CPU model by looking in the System Control Panel if you're curious if it's supported.

Of course, many who are not familiar with the way virtualization technologies work are going to be disappointed with XPM anyway: Essentially you're running one operating system on top of another operating system, and the resulting performance is about as zippy as you'd expect. As PC World notes: XPM is not built for video games; don't even bother trying.

That said, it'd be nice to be able to run XPM on a wider range of CPUs just in case that odd, incompatible app shows up -- after all, older machines are the ones most likely to need to run old software -- but the way it was designed means that won't be possible. That's because XPM relies on a key feature built into the hardware design of a relative minority of CPUs.

If your rig is compatible, you can try XPM with the Windows 7 Release Candidate by downloading it here.

Comments on Windows 7 "XP mode" won't work on some PCs

Post a Comment

Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.

  • 6 Posted by therez0 on Thu May 7, 2009 10:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    AMD Chip users have some help in this matter: support.amd.com/us/Pages/dynamicDetails.aspx?ListID=c5cd2c08-1432-4756-aafa-4d9dc646342f&ItemID=172 AMD put out this tool that checks your system compatibility with virutalization on Vista. Since Windows 7 is using similar root structure, running the test tool on your Vista installation before you upgrade to RC1 may be an indication if XPM would work after W7 is installed. I have not had the time to upgrade to 7 yet, so I can't say for certain.

  • 7 Posted by fate469 on Fri May 8, 2009 7:50AM EDT Report Abuse

    Windows 7 raises complaints from rivals. I like to take a minute to take about that. i am getting tried of these tech companies ripping micro soft off.If they can not make a better product that everyone that everyone wants .I have heard the makers of netscape cry and oprea these browers suck in my opinion and sum of these other companies just want to make money off someone else hard work, without tring to make a better product themselves. The way i see it these companies have to stop sounding like whiny little girls and get back to the business of making a great product. Or just go away.

  • 8 Posted by johnkermott on Fri May 8, 2009 5:24PM EDT Report Abuse

    Chris, did you even check out AMD? AMD's entire current line (above Sempron) supports hardware virtualization, thus XP Mode. Same was actually true at Intel until about a year ago.

  • 9 Posted by johnkermott on Fri May 8, 2009 5:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's actually a shame XP Mode requires hardware virtualization when the technology is not ubiquitous - Virtual PC does not require it. The best setup currently is 64-bit Vista (6.0) or "7" (6.1) with a 32-bit XP VM. I've known that since before Vista even came out.

  • 10 Posted by gregor_eisenhorn2003 on Sat May 9, 2009 4:25AM EDT Report Abuse

    I'll likley just keep my old machien for XP or if possible duel boot my system much easier far less hassel.

  • 11 Posted by kupriaa1 on Sat May 9, 2009 7:41AM EDT Report Abuse

    How about VMWare? and again roguiest- you are a fool.

  • 12 Posted by somebodys_here on Mon May 18, 2009 6:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've had a virtualization-ready CPU (from AMD) since 2006... Upgraded to a Phenom about 6 months ago and have no problems with any of that. (Didn't anyway, but that's not important)

  • 13 Posted by danaww@bellsouth.net on Sun May 24, 2009 8:16AM EDT Report Abuse

    Microsoft informed me that I was (Screwed) because I was running XP home edition on my desktop.They should be a law against that.They said I had to upgrade to vista.

  • 15 Posted by ryanastley on Sun May 24, 2009 1:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    Switch to a Mac so that you can't do just about anything except get the "Pin-Wheel of Death" 99% of the time. Try to find anything that works with Mac, programs and games specifically. Good Luck!

  • 16 Posted by s_thomas1 on Fri Jun 5, 2009 5:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    The article states that Apple users use Parallels for Windows apps, but you left out the option of using VMware. Apple users can also use Bootcamp to run a full version of Windows at full speed with no limitations. Isn't XPM basically just Virtual PC?

  • 17 Posted by kelv1969 on Mon Nov 30, 2009 6:33PM EST Report Abuse

    So Windows7 is looking more of a pain in the arse than before. Why oh why are people intent on 'upgrading' to it when it is causing so many upsets, hassles and compatibility problems. Microsoft, give us our money back!!!! I'm going to Apple macs.

More Posts: First Prev 1 2 Next Last

Post a Comment

Sign In to Post a Comment

My Tech

Please enable your browser's cookies to activate the My Tech column.

Also on Yahoo! Tech

Computers Home Office Wi-Fi & Networking Phones & PDAs Cameras & Camcorders TV & Home Theater Portable Audio
 

Site Map | Tour | Subscribe to Yahoo! Tech

Question and Answer content at Yahoo! Tech is written by Yahoo! users at Yahoo! Answers. Yahoo! does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any Yahoo! Answers content. For more information, read the Full Disclaimer.

Opinions expressed by the Advisors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo! receives no compensation from any manufacturer or distributor nor does it compensate any Advisor for the coverage of any product or service in any Advisor's content.