XP virtualization on Win10 - XP mode or something

Pen · 02 Jan 2023

Hello. Happy New Year 2023. What is the best way to run virtual machine with Windows XP on Windows 10.
(also Win95 would be nice, but it not necessary so much)

By "best way" I mean: nearly original host speed for VM with no lags, and with drag&drop of files, like MS Virtual PC 2007.

I know that:
1. Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 was best way, but it don't work on Win10 anymore.
(Also Win95 was working but with MSVPC2004 additions)
2. VirtualBox new versions don't have additions for XP, and older verions of VirtualBox has dangerous security bugs.
3. There is something like Hyper-V on Win 10, but it haven't additions for XP.

P.S. Why Microsoft don't allow to run MS VPC on Win10? Why they cancelled XP mode?

zebal · 02 Jan 2023

Even though MS docs state that Win7 is the oldest supported windows guest in Hyper-V I would try it anyway, just make sure you configure VM to be generation 1

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/wi...ine-in-hyper-v

Bree · 02 Jan 2023

Pen said:

Hello. Happy New Year 2023. What is the best way to run virtual machine with Windows XP on Windows 10.
(also Win95 would be nice, but it not necessary so much)

By "best way" I mean: nearly original host speed for VM with no lags, and with drag&drop of files, like MS Virtual PC 2007....

Drag and drop won't be available. Hyper-V allows copy and paste between host and guest, but only if you use an enhanced session. That is only supported if you have a Windows Pro guest that's Win8 or later, for a Home guest you'll only be able to use sharing to copy files across. I have an XP VM in Hyper-V. In order for your host to be able to use shares on an XP VM you'll need to enable 'SMB 1.0/CIFS Client' in windows Features on the host machine. For XP to be able to access shares on the host machine you'll also need 'SMB 1.0/CIFS Server' enabled. For an XP Hyper-V VM to use the network it needs the Legacy network adapter.

XP virtualization on Win10 - XP mode or something-xp-legacy-network-adapter.png

Hyper-V doesn't support Windows 95 at all, but VirtualBox does. I have a Windows '95 VM in VirtualBox. The same SMB1 client is needed on the host machine to access share on the '95 VM. The '95 guest seems incapable of accessing shares on any Win7/8/10/11 machine, though it can see them. It doesn't seem to have the protocols required.

How to Install Windows 95 in a Virtual Machine

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Pen · 03 Jan 2023

Ok. Thanks.

But It's very sad that VirtualPC not working on Win10. It was perfect software to run older Windows versions...

Drag&drop was very comfortable.
And Microsoft just killed it.

And this Win95 on VirtalBox? I think it's only 8bit screen depth.
On VPC2007 Win95 was working with 32bit depth and drag&drop was working both XP and Win95.

Btw. Will drag&drop and clipboard working on Hyper-V if I install still supported Win7 (for example 32bit Starter edition to be light)

Bree · 03 Jan 2023

Pen said:

Will drag&drop and clipboard working on Hyper-V if I install still supported Win7 (for example 32bit Starter edition to be light)

No. That requires an Enhanced Session, and that is only possible with a guest that's at least the Pro edition of Windows, and is 8.1 or higher.

The Hyper-V virtual machine (guest) must have Remote Desktop Services enabled and run Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 as the guest operating system.

Turn On or Off Hyper-V Enhanced Session Mode in Windows 10

ClippyBeer · 04 Jan 2023

VMWare Player supports drag and drop and support for XP guests and 3D acceleration if your CPU supports virtualization technology. I use it to play Unreal Tournament 2004 and Serious Sam first and second encounters. I currently have VMWare 15 installed but supposedly the newest version 17 also supports Windows XP guests.

https://customerconnect.vmware.com/e...on_player/15_0

Drag and drop works with Windows 95 guests also but I had trouble with 3D acceleration.