[Retsel]

Is it possible to use XP on a computer with Win 7 operating system installed.
I am trying to open files which are not compatable with Win 7 and the files cannot be updated so need XP to open them. If XP is on the CD rom drive will this create any problems.

 

[spunk.funk]

You can run Windows XP Mode

 

[Retsel]

Thanks, will give it a try.

 

[Retsel]

Tried SPUNK.FUNK suggestion (thanks) but my version of Win 7 is Home Premium, 64bit, SP1 so the XP download is not available, I would have to upgrade to Win 7 Professional at considerable cost which means I might as well buy a Win7 compatible program. I was trying to avoid this extra cost as I only use the program infrequently. Is there any other way??

 

[sobeit]

Tried SPUNK.FUNK suggestion (thanks) but my version of Win 7 is Home Premium, 64bit, SP1 so the XP download is not available, I would have to upgrade to Win 7 Professional at considerable cost which means I might as well buy a Win7 compatible program. I was trying to avoid this extra cost as I only use the program infrequently. Is there any other way??

if we knew what program you are talking about we might be able to help you. there may be a free alternative.

 

[Rich-M]

Have you tried running the program in Windows XP compatibility mode? All you would do is right click the program icon or on Program Menu do so, choose "Properties" and then choose "Compatibility" and you will see a screen that allows you to choose what version of Windows to run it in. If you can't even install it, we used to be able to right click the install or setup file and do the same thing to install it in that mode.

 

[WinOutreach5]

Hi,

Spunk.funk’s suggestion of using Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC could work very well for you as it was designed for these kinds of scenarios. As you have figured out, you do need Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise or Windows 7 Ultimate. For those who do are not currently running Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise, or Windows 7 Ultimate, there is an easy upgrade path to Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate through the Windows Anytime Upgrade program. The upgrade cost through this program is greatly less than a retail upgrade package for Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate.

If the above recommendation is not a possible solution, Rich-M’s suggestion to test the application in compatibility mode is a great suggestion. An excellent web page to learn more about compatibility mode is "Make older programs run in this version of Windows".

Again, as both Rich and Sobiet have pointed out, the more information provided about the application, the better advice can be offered. However, generally speaking, Compatibility Mode and Windows XP Mode are the recommended solutions for allowing legacy applications to run within a Windows 7 environment.

Jessica
Windows Outreach Team – IT Pro

 

[supportnumber]

Try going here and installing virtual PC with windows xp mode
here is the link.

Download Windows XP Mode

 

[Retsel]

Thanks Sobiet,
I have checked there is no free alternative.
Thanks Rich-M,
Have tried compatability mode and also checked with the software supplier, it is not compatible, I have to buy the windows 7 version.
Thanks Jessica WinOutreach,
I have tried all the compatability routes, the problem is that Microsoft decided not to provide for the availability of the "WinXP Mode and Win Virtual PC" as a download for Win 7 Home Premium. You need Win 7 Pro or above to get it, so you have to pay for the upgrade which isn't cheap.

Please, can anybody tell me if I can use a copy of WIN XP in the CD rom drive while Win 7 is up and running on the computer without causing any major problems. I can use a USB stick with the program I need to access and work between the CD rom and the stick ??? Has anyone tried this???
or am I too radical.

 

[sobeit]

Thanks Sobiet,
I have checked there is no free alternative.

that you know of. members here may have sources you dont have access to or have no knowledge of. Why is it you do not want to give the name of the software so we can give specific help???? You have been asked several times. All we are doing is shooting in the dark. The program you want to run may not even be able to run even in compatibility mode and if this is the case, we are wasting our time.

right now as far as I can see, you either need to purchase the full retail version of xp, install and hope it is compatible with your computer or purchase the win7 upgrade to your program. Those are your only two choices.

 

[spunk.funk]

You cannot use XP in your CD drive with Windows 7 running. As that is just the install CD not an operating system. You can install XP in a VM ware though

 

[i MaRk i]

Hi-

Currently you have two options (three if you include getting Win.7 Professional). The First option is to use a duel boot setup. This is a setup that you CANNOT run XP from within Windows 7. Meaning that you will have to restart your computer and select (from a selection screen) which OS you want to run. This has the advantage of much greater performance to XP, however you will have to restart in order to get into the opposite OS. For a tutorial on this, see here- Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP - Windows 7 Forums

Note: for your current setup, scroll down to "option 2: Windows 7 installed first".

The second option is as was stated, to use a virtual machine. There are many alternatives, but the two that I personally like are:
VirtualBox- https://www.virtualbox.org/
VMware- Install Windows XP Virtual PC in Windows 7 Using VMware Player - TECHRENA

The benifit of a virtual machine is that you can use Windows 7 and XP at the same time, no restart required, the disadvantage is that there is a big performance hit on XP (still usable for most programs, however, many games will not even run inside of XP.) Also, depending on how powerful you computer is, windows seven may take a performance hit as well, but nothing to bad, and it will only occur while XP is running. If you shut down the virtual machine, there will be no performance hit to 7.

Regards,

Mark

 

[WinOutreach5]

Retsel,

I realize that Microsoft’s Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC is only offered to those who use Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise, or Windows 7 Ultimate. Again, for those who are not currently running Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise, or Windows 7 Ultimate, there is an easy upgrade path to Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate through the Windows Anytime Upgrade program. The upgrade cost through this program is greatly less than a retail upgrade package for Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate. I believe the cost is $89.95 to upgrade from Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Professional and DOES NOT require a reinstall.

Also, the alternative solution that Mark proposed is also an option. When creating a dual boot, or multi-boot configuration between Microsoft Windows XP and Windows 7 the first step is to ensure you have a separate location for each operating system you intend to use. In this scenario you will want to have one partition for Windows 7 and a second, separate, partition for Microsoft Windows XP Professional. Just as an added tool, Microsoft has a helpful video of how this process is performed here. Another great resource is the multiboot step-by-step guide Install more than one operating system (multiboot.)

As Mark also pointed out, a dual boot setup does mean that you will need to select which operating system you wish to use at start up. For example, if you choose to boot into Windows 7 but need to use the application in question within Windows XP you will need to restart your computer and select Windows XP from the boot menu.

Jessica
Windows Outreach Team – IT Pro

 

[Rich-M]

That's a good point Jessica, and that can be had for less if you shop carefully.

 

[Retsel]

Excellent advice i MaRk i thanks very much, that is exactly the info I was looking for, I was starting to think I was a poor communicator.
To all others who tried to help thank you, the program I am trying to use is MYOB accounting and I thoroughly researched the options with them before seeking your help. It's all about trying to save costs, which is why this forum is so valuable.
Retsel :flowers: