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XP Compatibility Mode in Windows 7

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by psaulm119, 2010/07/02.

  1. 2010/07/02
    psaulm119 Lifetime Subscription

    psaulm119 Geek Member Thread Starter

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    I'm getting a bit confused about 7's XP Compatibility mode, which is available only on 7 Professional and Ultimate (not Home Premium). Is this the same functionality that you can get in XP when you right-click on an .exe, and select Properties, Compatibility tab (and then you can choose 95, 98, 2000, etc.)? I have read about 7's Compatibility Mode being a virtual machine. If I stick with Home Premium, can I still do this right-click, or is that entire compatibility tab removed? I guess I'm asking if this 7 functionality is something different from the traditional "legacy mode" that Windows has had.
     
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  2. 2010/07/02
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    7's XP Compatibility mode, which is available only on 7 Professional and Ultimate -> means you can litteraly bring up another window with XP running inside that window. (and MS gives you the copy of XP)

    You can do the same thing with a little different version of VirtaulPC and you own copy of Windows xp.

    Attached is a screen shot of my Vista pc running an app called VirtualBox that is similar to VirtualPC...You can see XP running....
     

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  4. 2010/07/02
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Windows XP Mode is essentially for running old apps which will not install or run in 7. In my case Quicken 2000 will not install on my 64 bit system, neither will CD Stomper.

    If you right click a .exe in 7 > Properties tab > Compatability you have similar functions to XP, but that does not guarantee that the app will run under 7.

    Screenshot of Windows XP Mode in 7 Pro ....
     

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  5. 2010/07/02
    psaulm119 Lifetime Subscription

    psaulm119 Geek Member Thread Starter

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    OK so that's the virtual machine part of it. I see that 7's XP Compatibility mode is different from what I was talking about earlier, with XP and Vista.

    Does 7 Home Premium at least offer what XP and VIsta did--this "run in a legacy mode" from the right-click properties menu?
     
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  6. 2010/07/02
    psaulm119 Lifetime Subscription

    psaulm119 Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Pete--your reply leads me to think that you described two separate functions in 7--the right-click properties window, as well as the XP Mode virtual machine. Is this correct? If so, I have the asnwer to my question--7 would have the traditional "run in legacy mode" that XP and Vista have, as well as this XP virtual machine.
     
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  7. 2010/07/02
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Yes ....
    and be aware that some old apps which installed happily in XP will not in 7, especially if you run x64.

    See screenshot for right click on an installed .exe > Properties > Compatibility.

    Additionally if you install an old app and it appears to install OK, but 7 thinks not then it pops up a window with the offer to install in the appropriate compatibility mode.
     

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  8. 2010/07/02
    psaulm119 Lifetime Subscription

    psaulm119 Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Ok thanks for clearing that up. Even Home Premium offers the traditional "run in legacy mode," but the two higher-level editions offer an enhanced version of this, in XP Mode virtual machine. Its just a matter of what I want to pay extra for.
     
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  9. 2010/07/02
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    As I mentioned above - you can install VirtualPC and your copy of an Operating system. (for free if you have a licensed OS that isn't being used)
     
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  10. 2010/07/02
    psaulm119 Lifetime Subscription

    psaulm119 Geek Member Thread Starter

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    I'll look into that if I ever have the need, although I only have Dell's XP discs--not sure if they would install on another brand computer (I haven't bought yet but I "m strongly leaning away from Dell at the moment). Even so, I'm sure a copy of XP on amazon wouldn't be more than the cost of an upgrade to 7 Ultimate/Business.
     
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  11. 2010/07/02
    IvanH

    IvanH Well-Known Member

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    In most cases, I prefer to try running under Right-click "Compatibility Mode ". If it doesn't work, then I'll try Virtual Machine XP Compatibility Mode. If it still doesn't work, then I'll try Virtual PC. This logical sequence requires less resources (e.g. RAM, licenses, software and etc.) And beware that in the XP Compatibility Mode of Windows 7 and VIrtual PC, the screen resolution and color options are very limited. Some applications cannot run, or even unable to start.
     
    IvanH,
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