Windows XP Mode to no longer require hardware virtualization [Updated: Now with links to the 32/64 update/patch]

Windows 7 Team Blog - Windows XP Mode now accessible to more PCs

“We’re announcing an update to Windows XP Mode today that will make it a more accessible to PCs in small and midsize businesses who want to migrate to Windows 7 Professional but have applications that still require Windows XP. Windows XP Mode will no longer require hardware virtualization technology to run. This change makes it extremely easy for businesses to use Windows XP Mode to address any application incompatibility roadblocks they might have in migrating to Windows 7. Windows XP Mode will of course continue to use hardware virtualization technology such as Intel VT (Intel Virtualization Technology) or AMD-V if available. You can find more information and download the update which will go live later today here.

…”

Good. Forcing hardware virtualization for XP Mode was kind of icky. I mean I understand it, to ensure good performance, etc. The icky really came from how hardware manufactures/chip providers were so inconsistent in implementing hardware virtualization. You’d get “high end/professional” machines that didn’t have it… It felt very hit or miss.

So while I don’t recommend you run virtualization/Windows XP Mode on a a machine without hardware virtualization, it’s good to know you CAN at least…

 

Update #1 3/18/2010 @ 11:10AM PDT:

Here’s the links to the above mentioned update, Update for Windows 7 (KB977206) / Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB977206) “Install this update to remove the prerequisites required to run Windows Virtual PC and XP mode.”

 

Related Past Post XRef:
Windows XP Mode & Windows Virtual PC RTM are now both available on MSDN Subscribers Downloads…