XP Mode under W10? Yes, No, Maybe?

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  1. Posts : 242
    Win 10 Pro 64 V22H2 Build 19045.2728
       #1

    XP Mode under W10? Yes, No, Maybe?


    Confused to say the least.
    I have a couple of programs that I can run under XP Mode in my W7Pro setup. I have read many threads here, of which some seem to imply you cannot run XP Mode within W10 yet others seem to suggest you can, one gives a link to 'SuperUser' which says you can but only for 30 days then you have to start again but if you have a registered copy that would be fine. Another thread says the XP license key will not work under W10.

    So, my ? is: Can you run XP with older programs at all - under/within/as a VM - the W10 OS?

    And if so, how? cos it's doing my head in !!
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  2. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #2

    I've set up XP in VirtualBox. You could run some programs from there.

    XP Mode was designed to work on Windows 7 and Windows 8/10 work differently in some areas so I would be reluctant to install it. VirtualBox does the same job broadly speaking.
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  3. Posts : 3,367
    W10 Pro x64/W7 Ultimate x64 dual boot main - W11 Triple Boot Pending
       #3

    Try the latest VM Player or Portable Virtual Box. Still have to get the old XP mode to work on Hyper-V now seen since 8 that replaces the older Virtual PC feature seen with Vista and 7. As far as seeing XP setup on a VM you may likely find a number of desktop apps that ran on XP will work on the VM you create. You can try that using Hyper-V by following the steps in the guide for Virtualization to see the Hyper-V first enabled. Hyper-V virtualization - Setup and Use in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums[2]=Virtualization
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  4. Posts : 242
    Win 10 Pro 64 V22H2 Build 19045.2728
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks for the quick replies.

    I think I will have some (Lots of) reading to do, never come across VirtualBox before. It was quite easy in W7 but this looks much more complicated!

    Is there a tutorial or guide to installing VB and then XP onto VB? I noted some guides on the VB forum but do not know which version I should install? I am sure I will be able to sus out whats what but hope you might be able to link me to the right information.

    I did note on the download page that:
    "There are known problems with VirtualBox 5.0.2 on Windows 10 hosts and with Windows 10 guests."

    So it might be prudent to wait a while, I am in no hurry, as long as I know XP CAN be run within W10 then that's fine.
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  5. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #5

    Yes there is: VirtualBox - Install Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

    I have used VB on my Windows 10 without issue so far. So far I've installed Windows 95/98/XP/10.
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  6. Posts : 3,367
    W10 Pro x64/W7 Ultimate x64 dual boot main - W11 Triple Boot Pending
       #6

    HYPER-V XP MODE VM UP and RUNNING!

    XP Mode under W10? Yes, No, Maybe?-hyper-v-xp-mode-10-xp-mode-up-running.jpg

    I once had it running on VMLite before going with VBox years ago! But once you have the Hyper-V feature enabled it only takes minutes to see the XP mode running again! The screen there is No. #10 from 10 screens with only 8 steps! What is the first once you have Hyper-V turned on in the Control Panel>Programs & Features>Turn Features on and off" section as outlined in the guide there?

    XP Mode under W10? Yes, No, Maybe?-hyper-v-xp-mode-1-locate-xp-mode-exe-file.jpg

    First you have to locate the download executable since the initial release saw that in an archive you had to extract from until the stand alone executable self installer package came out. The "mui" was a right click to install item followed later by the exe file. Once you get to the exe version you right click on that having a program like 7 Zip or WinZip installed if not WinRAR in order to open archive type files in order to see the extraction into a new folder take place.

    XP Mode under W10? Yes, No, Maybe?-hyper-v-xp-mode-2-right-click-extract-specified-folder.jpg

    The extraction includes a new sub folder with the XPM file inside that while you simply ignore the 32bit and 64bit files above that.

    XP Mode under W10? Yes, No, Maybe?-hyper-v-xp-mode-3-open-xpm-file-view.jpg

    Once you have the XPM file opened to view take notice of the "VirtualXPVHD" file you now want to copy to a folder of choice and rename to "VirtualXPVHD.vhd" adding the dot vhd onto the end. Then upon reaching the screen for either creating a new vhd and whether or not to install the OS which is set to install later you browse to where the extracted file is located to see that attached to the new Hyper-V VM and fire it up!

    XP Mode under W10? Yes, No, Maybe?-hyper-v-xp-mode-4-copy-virtualxpvhd-file.jpg

    Be sure you use the "Copy to" option from the menu bar in the program you use and not simply click on extract! That will unpack everything from the vhd file itself into a new folder and then you have to go back and copy it intact.

    XP Mode under W10? Yes, No, Maybe?-hyper-v-xp-mode-6-browse-attach-virtualxpvhd-file.jpg

    Once copied you browse to attach and then finish the wizard to come to the main Hyper-V window to see the XP Mode ready to go!

    XP Mode under W10? Yes, No, Maybe?-hyper-v-xp-mode-7-ready-go-click-start-connect.jpg

    Once you hit the start followed by the connect found in the lower right section the XP Mode set up will then begin.

    XP Mode under W10? Yes, No, Maybe?-hyper-v-xp-mode-8-xp-mode-setting-up.jpg

    Bet you haven't that for some time! :)

    XP Mode under W10? Yes, No, Maybe?-hyper-v-xp-mode-9-xp-mode-loading.jpg

    That brings back a few memories! And finally with a few screens you have to go through you end up at the desktop. You may or may not be able to connect online but the mode is up and running.
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  7. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #7

    Can you still activate XP? When I tried it just loaded a broken page.
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  8. Posts : 3,367
    W10 Pro x64/W7 Ultimate x64 dual boot main - W11 Triple Boot Pending
       #8

    XP support is totally DEAD ISSUE at this time while the XP Mode didn't require any activation as I recall since it was all self contained not a separate install just anywhere download to run as a main OS. It was specific to the Virtual PC in 7 with 8 bringing in the Hyper-V to replace the Vista/7 Virtual PC. Hyper-V seems a little more involved at first but actually turns out to be a bit easier to work with once you get past learning how to set or not set the Network Switch part.

    The same switch used for a 7 vm failed on the XP Mode which is where XP lacked as a rule in detecting newer hardwares. The vm fired right up however just using the default settings and clicking on "Generation 1" not 2! The guide explains about that being only for 8 or newer. The rest goes by fast since I had it up and running in only 10 minutes total from Trapper's last post. That includes seeing full screen captures with snips taken from those to post here.
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  9. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #9

    For some reason when I installed Hyper-V it disabled the ability to install 64-bit OSs in VB.
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  10. Posts : 242
    Win 10 Pro 64 V22H2 Build 19045.2728
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Hey, thanks Guys . I did check the Tutorials but it seemed that that one was for installing W10 onto VB, suppose I should have checked .

    Knowing that it can be done goes a long way to me trying W10 again, first time I had so many 'Profile' issues I reverted back to W7 only to find that my Task Scheduler had gone loopy with 54 errors and other niggles.

    I have decided to wipe the HD and re-install W7 from scratch then upgrade to W10 then install my programs, this will clear out the rubbish built up over the years.

    Once again my thanks for your help and once again in your debt!!
      My Computer


 

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