As some one that has worked with corporate PC since DOS 3.3 & Windows 3.1 I have been through a number of desktop operating system migration projects.
There are three major questions that need resolving:
- Will the legacy applications work on the new operating system?
- Do we have to by new machines?
- Can you make it look like the old system to minimise impact on users?
Windows XP Mode allows users of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise & Ultimate to launch many older Windows XP applications directly from their Windows 7 desktop.
This ticked two boxes for me legacy applications and reusing old equipment.
What a Disappointment
While Windows XP Mode requires at least 2GB or RAM to work the showstopper comes in the form of Hardware Virtualisation.
Hardware Virtualisation requires support by both processor and motherboard. Even though Intel & AMD have been producing capable processors for a few years, motherboard manufacturer have been slow to implement hardware virtualisation in desktop computers and laptops. The result is that some comparatively new PCs and Laptops would have to be replaced if XP mode was required.
I have included a link to a couple of useful tools to determine if your system support hardware virtualisation.
Further Information:
SecurAble Download: Does my system support hardware virtualisation
Microsoft Download: Microsoft® Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool
Microsoft Windows: Downloading XP Mode
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