Windows 7 has a very nice, unique feature and that is virtualization. You can create virtual Windows XP, and as many as your system can handle. There’s no limit on how many of them you create, and each one can be different. The Virtual Windows XP is easy to set up, you can create your own password and everything. Drivers are already installed so you don’t have to worry about pulling out those old CDs or searching the internet just to get your XP to work. The whole system connects to your Windows 7 just as if it was just another application.

Virtualization

The Virtual XP machine is one of the easiest to set up. And it’s exactly what it sounds like, a Windows XP inside W7. You can custom allocate RAM as well as space to the system. The system connects to your W7 automatically as well, all your drives under W7 will show up in XP as network drives. It connects to the internet, bypassing driver installation, but you can also change that setting so that the XP works independently and connects to the internet separately. There are tons of easy to understand settings that you can employ. Also, you can install drivers, connect usb devices, and other peripherals to the system. For example, I have an old webcam that does not work on Windows 7 64-bit system, ie it does not have drivers, so I booted up Virtual Windows XP and installed the drivers as I would have on my old XP. Then, I installed MSN messenger on the Virtual XP and got on webcam with one of my friends. It does not lag my system, and it did not cause me any trouble. At times, the XP drags but I blame that on my old system and it’s not something that’s too noticeable. You can set up the width of the Virtualization as you would a window and if you look under properties of the desktop and check out the monitor settings, the settings will always adjust accordingly. I like to keep it small so that it can only house one application (idk, it’s just my habit). Here are some of my screenshots (click for fullview):

Windows 7 drives as network drives under XP

All of the old applications are still present

All of the starter old applications are included, such as the Windows Media Center, Solitaire, all of the games. accessories and such. Newer applications work on it just the same as they would on XP. I installed, for example, the newest Windows Live Messenger without trouble and it works the same as it does under my Windows 7.

Menu bar

On top of the console, there’s a “menu bar” with different uses. Under action, you can put the XP console to sleep, shut it off, restart it, and turn on the full screen mode. Once in a full screen mode, the menu bar shows on top (with the theme) and does not obstruct anything.

Under USB, you can choose which devices will connect to the Virtual Windows XP. Let’s say you have a flash drive that you want directly to connect to the XP. Once you plug it in, you simply go under USB and you enable the drive under the Virtualization. My W7 also had to download one or two additional drivers to smooth out the process but all was done pretty quickly.

In Tools, you can disable the integration features ie. the network drives, and the internet won’t connect. Then you have options. Under options you can choose a wide list of features to enable or disable. You can create new COM ports, add drives, configure logins, and all that other pretty stuff. Most of the options are unfortunately inaccessible while running the XP, so you’ll have to “shut down” the system. Then go to your programs and under “Windows Virtual PC”  click on “Virtual Machines”, right click the machine you want, and click on “settings”. That’s the easiest way so far that I’ve found to change the more rigid stetting.

Settings

Next, ctrl + alt + del, okay, this is kind of a funny feature and the combination has done what it has always done so no need for explanation here.

To shut down the Virtual XP, just click on the “x” in the corner as you would while using any other application and the shut down process will start.

Best usage

The best way to use the Virtual Windows XP is only when it is absolutely essential and use it only running two  or three programs at most. When is it essential?

• when you have a device that does not have updated drivers under W7 and therefore doesn’t work, as was the case when I couldn’t get my webcam working
• Older programs are another case but before you do that, see if the company posted any updates/patches that will make the program work under Windows 7, it’ll save you a lot of resources.
• Nostalgia is the last reason yeah, I know. stupid but whatever

I suggest you allocate at least 512MBs of RAM to the system, a few gigs of your HDD, and you’ll be good.

The Windows XP virtualization is a pretty cool addition to the W7, and it surely makes upgrading easier for people that have older hardware and older software they need to use. For me, it gave me a way to use my old webcam and have fun exploring the old XP.