Windows XP Mode without Virtualisation hardware requirements

Microsoft have released a patch that allows Windows XP Mode to be installed on Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise without the need for you hardware to support virtualisation. The Register report is here. Originally your hardware had to support virtualisation, but now this does not necessarily have to be the case.

Older hardware may still have a problem, but certainly newer machines should be able to run Windows XP within Windows 7. This has made it easier for small businesses to move over to Windows 7, while being able to run legacy applications (i.e. applications designed to run in Windows XP) within a virtual environment.

Why? A lot of programs that were designed to work with Windows XP are still being used today, and while Vista’s compatibility list was an issue, Windows 7 has improved on this. However, some programs may still have a problem. Windows XP Mode is basically an operating system that runs inside another operating system, in this case, Windows XP inside of Windows 7. Now, you can install programs designed to run in XP, onto XP, and run them from XP.

Take a look at the Microsoft Windows XP Mode. It is advisable that your hardware supports virtualisation, but now no longer necessary.