Using Windows XP Applications in the Virtual Environment

Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 makes it possible for you to use many of your older Windows XP applications right on your Windows 7-based PC. As you’ll see, installing and running those applications is accomplished exactly as you would in the Windows XP operating system that you’ve become so familiar with.

• Installing Windows XP applications
Install your Windows XP applications exactly as you would on a Windows XP-based PC. Click on the “My Computer” window from your Windows XP Start Menu to access the CD/DVD, internal hard drive, or external device on which your application resides. Double-click on the file to be installed and follow the prompts. (Note: in order to publish your applications to the Windows 7 desktop, they must be installed for all users.)

You can create a desktop shortcut for your application on the Windows XP desktop, the Windows 7 desktop, or both. You can also pin the application to your Windows XP Start Menu, and, for added convenience, to the Windows 7 Start Menu as well.


• Running Windows XP applications in Desktop Mode
Once you’ve installed your Windows XP application, it can be launched from your Windows XP “All Programs” list or Start Menu. Create a desktop shortcut to launch the app from the Windows XP desktop whenever you’re operating in Desktop Mode (i.e., from within the Windows XP environment).

You can close application windows or minimize them to the Windows XP Taskbar as desired.


• Running Windows XP applications in Seamless Mode
Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 enables you to run your Windows XP applications directly from the Windows 7 desktop in what is called “Seamless Mode.” This means that once you’ve installed an application, it will also appear in your Windows 7 All Programs menu, along with all of your other Windows 7 applications.

Because of this, you don’t have to open the Virtual Windows XP desktop environment in order to run these applications. Simply launch them directly from the Windows 7 Start Menu (or from the Windows 7 desktop, if you have already created a desktop shortcut there for the application). Launching this application means also launching the virtual machine, so it may take a moment or two for the application to complete this process.

After it is launched, the application will perform exactly like any other application on the Windows 7 desktop: you can minimize it to the Windows 7 Taskbar for future use, or close it if you prefer.


• Hibernation vs. Log-Off
When you are through working with the Windows XP environment (Desktop Mode), you can put it into “hibernation” simply by clicking on the Close button in the upper right corner. It takes only a few seconds to complete this process.

If it’s the first time you’ve run a Windows XP application in Desktop mode, you may be asked to log-off before the Windows XP virtual machine completes the hibernation process. Once you’ve logged on again, you can continue to work in regular Windows 7 mode, Windows XP Seamless Mode, or Windows XP Desktop Mode whenever you like.

Source of Information : Microsoft® Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V)