Windows 7's XP Mode Hits Release Candidate
By - Source: Tom's Hardware US
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Windows XP Mode hits the release candidate stage, download it today!
Back in April, along with the launch of the Windows 7 Release Candidate build 7100, Microsoft also released a beta for the XP Mode that runs Windows XP in a virtualized environment inside Windows 7 for compatibility purposes.
Today the XP Mode has hit release candidate and is now available for download. Those running the Windows 7 RC or RTM (Professional and Ultimate licenses only) will be able to test drive the XP Mode RC.
As listed on the Windows Team Blog, new in the XP Mode RC are:
- You can now attach USB devices to Windows XP Mode applications directly from the Windows 7 task-bar. This means your USB devices, such as printers and flash drives, are available to applications running in Windows XP Mode, without the need to go into full screen mode.
- You can now access Windows XP Mode applications with a “jump-list”. Right click on the Windows XP Mode applications from the Windows 7 task bar to select and open most recently used files.
- You now have the flexibility of customizing where Windows XP Mode differencing disk files are stored.
- You can now disable drive sharing between Windows XP Mode and Windows 7 if you do not need that feature.
- The initial setup now includes a new user tutorial about how to use Windows XP Mode.
Download: Windows XP Mode Release Candidate
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Despite the looks, I prefer XP over Win7 Beta. Never tried the RC, because by the time I wanted to download the RC,news came of it only to work for 2 hours and then reboot, in a couple of months.
I didn't want to waste a DVD to that, so I never downloaded it.
good luck with that. wait till half the programs you use stop supporting XP. it happened to windows 2000
What if you die tomorrow?
I think the button artwork itself is a bit "whatever" on Vista/7. The button shapes and glow effects are nice. It doesn't take much to get used to the start menu. The new taskbar is very nice and gestures are nice. of course MS still includes Classic/Win98 look... but won't include the XP look?!
MS-Office 97, 2000 run fine under Windows7. Only Outlook97/98 barfs with Windows7.
Business use some custom software that may not run properly under Win7 - thats why its included with PRO / Ultimate and not Home.
Ever heard of re-writable DVD's?
As has been stated, the XP-VM's main purpose is to allow companies and organizations (private and otherwise) which use proprietary software that won't run within Win7/Vista environment to use their software within a, dare I say it, more advanced, secure, and modern OS.
Or is this more tightly integrated with the host OS?
Just want to know, if I get a virus in Virtual PC, it can spread to the rest of the Windows 7 (unlike VM ware).
I'm also guessing, if the Virtual PC is more tightly integrated, performance should also be a lot faster.