Microsoft on Friday night released a user guide entitled "Windows 7 Product Update: Key Changes Included in the Release Candidate." Among the new features outlined in the guide was Windows XP mode, which lets users with Windows 7 run apps in a Window XP environment. The feature will be made available as a free download for Windows 7 users.
The features was noted as part of the Windows 7 Product Update user guide:
"The Release Candidate provides you the flexibility to run many older Windows XP applications in a virtual Windows XP environment on a Windows 7-based PC," Microsoft says. "Called Windows XP Mode, this new feature requires an additional download."
A similar feature will be offered for enterprises.
"Microsoft offers a virtualization solution for enterprises and large organizations via Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V)," the document adds. "MED-V is available through the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP). The Release Candidate extends virtualization technologies to end users, as well as small and medium businesses through a new feature called Windows XP Mode. "Windows XP Mode, together with virtualization technology such as Windows Virtual PC, provides a virtual Windows XP environment in which you can run many existing Windows XP applications on a Windows 7-based PC," Microsoft said. "Windows XP Mode is included in Windows 7 and is available either through pre-installation by your PC manufacturer or via a no cost download."
Paul Thurrott at SuperSite for Windows got a sneak preview of the feature, which he breaks down on his blog.
It's based on Virtual PC vNext (7.0) not Hyper-V, and the performance you get is similar to what you see in VPC today. That is, it's fine for applications, not so good for anything strenuous.
For a full rundown of the latest Windows 7 build, check out Jeremy Kaplan's full review at PCMag.com.
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