Windows 7's XP Mode Hits Release Candidate

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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

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
15 Comments Comment from the forums
  • griffed88
    Thats nice that they are including what is essentially windows xp bundled into 7, but it seems like it would be nuisance and a pain to have to switch to xp mode just to get something running. It would be nice if they would just automatically have compatibility built in. But then again, if its too old to run on windows 7 its probably about time to upgrade that piece of software.
    Reply
  • captaincharisma
    how would it be a nuisance? the only time you would have to launch windows XP VM would be to install the program. after that you don't even have to go into the xp VM. all you have to do is go into windows 7 start menu and launch the program from there.
    Reply
  • bootleghooch
    Most programs run fine in windows 7 anyway. This is only for some oddball programs out there.
    Reply
  • Hanin33
    this is for all the local govt and insurance agencies and other companies that use custom coded software that runs just right under XP but craps out under Vista... most of the software can't be upgraded to work with Vista in a cost effective manner because so many ppl in the local govt sect and the such do things to protect their jobs and make things difficult to move on without their help. having worked in this hell for several years, this kind of thing will be nice when they finally force us to buy new PCs with vista or 7 only.
    Reply
  • rooket
    I still have yet to find a program I use that doesn't work in Vista. I got the XP Mode program but don't see any use for it so far.
    Reply
  • Even though I have access to Win7, I still run my laptop on XP.
    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.
    Reply
  • Hanin33
    i agree with ya ProDigit80... i personally can't stand the changes they've made visually to the UI... i will be sticking with XP64 till the bitter end...
    Reply
  • captaincharisma
    9133751 said:
    i agree with ya ProDigit80... i personally can't stand the changes they've made visually to the UI... i will be sticking with XP64 till the bitter end...

    good luck with that. wait till half the programs you use stop supporting XP. it happened to windows 2000
    Reply
  • Hanin33
    i can't see that happening for many many years... the way things are progressing... it's not like we even have decent multithreading support as it is and how long have multicore processors been around?
    Reply
  • belardo
    Hanin33i agree with ya ProDigit80... i personally can't stand the changes they've made visually to the UI... i will be sticking with XP64 till the bitter end...
    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?!
    Reply