Bill Detwiler: Windows 7 has several compatibility features that let you run most applications designed for Windows XP within the new OS. MOST however, is not ALL, and that's where Windows XP Mode can help.
I'm Bill Detwiler, and during this episode of TR Dojo, I'll give you a few tips for making the best use of XP mode, which allows you to install your apps in an Windows XP Virtual Machine running on Windows 7.
Installing and using Windows XP Mode is a pretty straightforward operation. If you have Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate, then all you have to do is download and install Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC. You can get both for free from Microsoft's Web site.
Once you have Windows XP Mode up and running, you can install your applications in the Windows XP virtual machine just like you would on a traditional installation.
You can then launch your XP applications right from the Windows 7 Start menu or from within the virtual machine.
While using Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC is pretty straightforward, there are some tips that you can employ to get the most out of this combination.
My first tip makes it easy to save your data files created in the virtual machine to the Documents folder on the Windows 7 host system.
While the built-in Windows XP Mode Integration Features automatically provide you with access to the C: drove on the host system, you still have to navigate through several layers to get to the Documents folder.
Fortunately, with the help of the DOS substitution (or Subst) command you can assign the Documents folder, or any folder, on the Windows 7 host system to a drive letter.
When you do, that drive letter will appear in the Integration Features Drive list, where you can see it. Then, any time you need to access the Documents folder, you can just access that drive letter.
For example, suppose that you want to assign the Documents folder to drive letter H. To do so, access a Command Prompt in Windows 7 and type the command:
Subst H: C:\Users\{your account name}\Documents
Be sure to enclose the path in double quotes if {your name} is two separate words with a space in between.
Once you add the drive letter to your Windows 7 host, it will automatically be picked up by the Windows XP Mode Integration Features and you'll find the new drive in My Computer in the Windows XP VM.
Next, you'll want to make sure that once you've put the time and effort into setting up and configuring your XP-mode virtual machine, it's safely backed up so that you can easily reestablish it in the event of a disaster.
To do this, you need to back up the following files:
- Virtual Hard Disk/Differencing Disk file:
Windows XP Mode.vhd
Windows XP Mode base.vhd
- Virtual Machine Configuration file:
Windows XP Mode.vmc
- And lastly, if the Undo Disks are enabled, you must back up the Undo Disks file:
VirtualPCUndo_Windows XP Mode_{#_#_##############}.vud
I'll post the path for each of these files in the video's blog notes.
Now, before you begin backing up your Windows XP Mode VM files, you will need to shut down the Windows XP Mode virtual machine.
You can then copy the files over to your backup media for safe keeping. Should you need to restore the files in the event of a disaster, be sure that you restore the files to their original locations.
Finally, you should know that, by default, when you close the XP mode VM window, it goes into hibernation rather than shutting completely down.
To really shut down the Windows XP Mode VM go to the VM window's toolbar and click the Ctrl+Alt+Del menu item.
When you see the Windows Security dialog box, click the Shut Down button. When you see the Shut Down Windows dialog box, select Shut Down and click OK. Now your virtual machine is really shut down.
During this show, I've shown you just three handy tips for getting the most from Windows XP Mode. For more XP Mode tips, check out this article from Greg Shultz, on which this episode is based. I'll link to it from the TR Dojo blog.
And as always, for more teachings on your path to becoming an IT Ninja, visit trdojo.techrepublic.com, or you can follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/billdetwiler.
Thanks for visiting the TR Dojo.
