Windows 7: Can I run my current Windows XP software programs on Windows 7?
- 8/28/09 1:18 PM
Most likely but not always
by baddawgg - 8/21/09 8:02 PM In reply to: Can I run my current Windows XP software programs on Windows 7? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
There are some 32 bit programs (only a few) that simply will not run on a 64 bit OS. If you have a 64 bit processor you will have to decide whether to install the 32 or 64 bit version of Windows 7. Some newer programs do run faster on 64 bit systems, so it is not always a straightforward decision.
32-bit vs. 64-bit CPUs and OS'
by Watzman - 8/28/09 6:35 PM In reply to: Most likely but not always by baddawggRe: "If you have a 64 bit processor ...."
All CPUs have pretty much been 64-bit since the Pentium 4 Prescot version (about 2004) with the exception of a few older Celeron processors. So pretty much anyone installing Windows 7 will have the 32-bit vs. 64-bit choice (it should be noted that Vista and even XP both have both 32-bit and 64-bit versions also; this isn't all that new at this point).
The primary reason for installing a 64-bit OS isn't speed, but memory. The most memory that a 32-bit OS can address is 4GB, and on almost all PCs, most of the last GB is lost due to use by the hardware itself, so with a 32-bit OS you are really limited, in most cases, to 3.xx gigabytes. Is that an issue? For most users, it's not, but if it is .... you need a 64-bit OS to access more memory (presuming that the chipset and motherboard will support it).
There are a LOT of potential problems, however, with 64-bit OS. There are a LOT of devices (most older devices, and even some newer ones) for which 64-bit device drivers do not exist. And there are a fair number of 32-bit programs that won't work under a 64-bit OS. So for most users, for whom the major benefit (more addressable memory) doesn't matter, it's worth thinking twice (3 times, 4 times) about going the 64-bit route.
Yes, it is.
by UglyCharles - 9/9/09 9:48 PM In reply to: Most likely but not always by baddawggYou are so right. Most of the programs run both on W7 32 and W7 64.
Windows XP Program Compatability
by RyGuy121 - 8/21/09 8:36 PM In reply to: Can I run my current Windows XP software programs on Windows 7? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Simply put, yes, you will be able to run your Windows XP apps on Windows 7. First, there is a good chance the programs will function normally, without any special attention. If this isn't the case, you can right click the program icon and go to Properties. Under the Compatibility tab, you can set the program to run under compatibility settings for Windows XP (or virtually any other Microsoft Operating System). This step will, in 99% of cases, allow legacy Windows XP programs to run fine under Windows 7. Lastly, if the program still refuses to run, you can use a virtualization program. Windows 7 Professional (one step up from Home Premium) and Windows 7 Ultimate both have access to a piece of software called "XP Mode." This is a free download from Microsoft that will only work on Windows 7 Professional and up, that gives you a copy of Windows XP in a virtualized environment in which you can install applications that will only work on XP. You will be able to access these programs normally from the start menu, but they will load in XP, removing any compatibility issues. Take note, however, that XP Mode requires specific hardware to function, so check Microsoft's website for more details if you require XP Mode. If you don't want to use Microsoft's XP Mode, you can always purchase virtualization software from 3rd party vendors. In addition, Microsoft offers a tool called the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, found at [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx]. This tool will check all of your hardware and software to determine if your system would be compatible for an upgrade to Windows 7, but can also be used to find out if any specific applications are incompatible with Windows 7. I would highly recommend using this tool. All in all, application compatibility should not be too large of an issue with Windows 7, as the OS has been designed with backward compatibility in mind.
For more info on application compatibility, see http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/features/whats-new-work.aspx?tab=2
Almost Definitely
by Kurogin - 8/21/09 8:43 PM In reply to: Can I run my current Windows XP software programs on Windows 7? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Only in rare cases will older programs not run within Windows 7 on regular settings. In these rare cases when a a program will not run, there are two methods to try using to get these programs to work. First is by using the compatibility option in the application's .exe file Properties, where there are options to run the program as if it was in Windows XP, 2000, Vista, 98, etc., this option works most of the time for most programs. The other option, which is only available in the Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Windows 7 that are being run on newer Intel processors or AMD x64 processors with VT-x or Hyper-V, is "XP Mode", which is pretty much a souped-up virtual machine with Windows XP in it. In XP Mode, yu can start up into a fully functional Windows XP desktop, OR you can, after installing the program(s) you need, run them from outside the Virtual Machine on your Windows 7 desktop. So, the program will have the Windows XP style and run like in XP, but be on your Windows 7 desktop.
Of course, if you already have an XP license, and don't want to drop the extra money for Windows 7 Pro and don't think all your apps will work (even with compatibility mode), you can always use other Virtual Machine software, which wont give you the same "XP Mode" functions with the programs, but they work just as well. Programs like VirtualBox by Sun, are very good for free virtualization, if you need it.
But, in short, don't worry about losing program compatibility, I was able to get Photoshop version 4 (for Windows 95) running without XP Mode, using the compatibility mode included in (I'm fairly certain) all versions of Windows 7, but if you lose compatibility, and don't have 7 Pro or Ultimate, there are free ways of using your programs, like Virtualbox, out there.
Most XP programs will work in Win 7
by buckstermcgee - 8/21/09 8:50 PM In reply to: Can I run my current Windows XP software programs on Windows 7? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hey Bryan, you already have all the answers you need from your first two posts: the ones from Ramarc and Watzman.
Basically, most programs from XP will work just fine with Windows 7. Of those programs that are older (designed before Vista existed) if any have a problem running correctly, they can be told to run in a compatibility mode. This includes modes for:
Windows Vista (Service Pack 2)
Windows Vista (Service Pack 1)
Windows Vista
Windows Server 2008 (Service Pack 1)
Windows Server 2003 (Service Pack 1)
Windows XP (Service Pack 3)
Windows XP (Service Pack 2)
Windows 2000
Windows NT 4.0 (Service Pack 5)
Windows 98 /Windows ME
Windows 95
Any of these can be chosen by right clicking the program that isn't working properly; then in the drop down menu go to 'Properties'. Under the new windows that opens go to the 'Compatibility' tab and check off 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:' and choose 'Windows XP (Service Pack 3)'.
Sometimes a certain legacy program might not running exactly right because it's asking to be at an admin level (which Vista and 7 restrict to protect you, and for good reason), in that case under the same 'Compatibility' tab you can check of the box that says 'Run this program as an administrator'.
Even though it's great that these features exist and it's good to know how to access them, for the majority of programs you won't have a problem running them, and if you do, Windows 7 will generally automatically ask you if you want to run it in a compatibility mode/reinstall the program with the correct compatibility.
And yes, there is XP mode (which is not the same as compatibility modes) which virtualizes running Windows XP to give full compatibility, but this really is designed for Small Businesses that have special software written specifically for their company, and will only run in an XP environment. XP mode is not designed for consumers and not needed by consumers either. It's unfortunate that consumers hearing about XP mode think they would need it, but honestly I've never run into a program that didn't run correctly in Vista or Windows 7. Have some programs had to use a compatibility mode? Yes, some have, but that's exactly why it those compatibility modes are there, and after checking off that compatibility box I never had to think or deal with that program again.
So, use the 'Upgrade Advisory' and compatibility tools that Ramarc your first replier linked. They will show you what programs/hardware will work with Windows 7, and any issues that might exist. It's said the Windows 7 is actually more compatible then Vista was with older software, I don't remember where I first read that or the data to back that up, but it's an interesting thing to think about.
Also, on the Windows 7 DVD install disc, there is a great tool called "Easy Transfer" this allows you to migrate your files, settings, and users from your old windows to windows 7. This does not include programs, but once you've completed the migration, a report will appear that will have a list of all the files transferred, and a report on what programs you had installed before, if they have been installed yet, and information the programs and the companies they made them, such as a link to download the program (if applicable). One of my favorite parts besides the software company links, are that it continually checks to see if you've installed these programs, and you can access this report at any time. So for me, I have a lovely list of everything I used to have installed and I can systematically install them at my own pace, I can close the report and open it again at a later date, I can choose possibly not to go back and install a certain program, and if I do want to install a program I won't forget any of them. The 'Easy Transfer' works by copying these files and settings to a USB drive, by network, or by an 'Easy Transfer Cable'. If you are upgrading your current machine to Windows 7 you will have to use a USB drive to save the file and reload them, as the other two options are for moving the file directly to a Windows 7 machine (ie: if you bought a new computer and wanted to move your files and settings from your old computer to your new one). As the name suggest it is really easy, while allowing you choice on what files you want to migrate. If you are moving a lot of files it may take some time to copy and then recopy the files back to Windows 7 but the process is automated and simple to use, so you can leave and come back later.
Overall, there are a lot of ways make the process from moving from older Windows to Windows 7 easy, and let me say, you'll be glad you made the move; Windows 7 is just great.
Good Luck and hope all goes well. 
Program Compatibility in Windows 7
by SirTheta - 8/21/09 9:08 PM In reply to: Can I run my current Windows XP software programs on Windows 7? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
So far, I have had exactly 0 compatibility issues running programs under Windows 7 (64-bit). In fact, I'm evening running Diablo II, which was designed when Windows 2000 was out (way back in the day, I know).
As to the XP Virtualization, yes, there is and I find it works quite well, it will read your CD's (except in some cases where I had it wouldn't read a CD in my DVD-drive). But basically, all there is to it is you start up the VM from your Start Menu > Windows Virtual PC > Virtual Windows XP, install whatever programs you can't get working in Windows 7 and voila.
Depends...........
by Grungysquash - 8/21/09 9:39 PM In reply to: Can I run my current Windows XP software programs on Windows 7? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Windows 7 does indeed have XP Virtualization, however this is not available in all windows 7 versions and your bios will need to support it.
So not every PC & laptop will support this feature, and it is not exactly the same as running XP. The Virtual really means the operating system runs in your ram - this limits the available ram for the actual XP OS, in most cases just 256meg is available.
So while this will be useful in situations where you have an old program which is only compatible in XP it still is not the same as running in XP.
However windows 7 is actually very good, really what Vista promised and never delivered. I think you will find there is very little that you will use this feature actually for.
Likely yes
by skrubol - 8/21/09 9:50 PM In reply to: Can I run my current Windows XP software programs on Windows 7? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Other than low-level programs such as antivirus and disk utilities, a huge majority of programs you run on XP will run on Vista or Win 7 with no effort. A few will require running as administrator (accomplished with an extra click of the right mouse button,) and very few will need configuration to run as XP compatibility mode.
All of the above are available in Vista. Win 7 should make the advanced configs and 'run as administrator' less necessary on default security settings. The new XP emulation mode you speak of is an advanced feature that only the most stubborn legacy programs will require. The main motivation for this mode is businesses who use custom applications that are very picky about the configurations they run on and very old programs that have no replacement (or the replacement is prohibitively expensive.) As such, the XP emulation mode is only available in the Professional and higher versions of Windows 7. No joy for home edition (both basic and premium,) users.
It's not a big loss, as setting it up will be a headache for your average user, and most likely you won't have a compelling reason to use it anyway.
Possibly
by Kaideb - 8/21/09 11:32 PM In reply to: Can I run my current Windows XP software programs on Windows 7? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Windows 7 is similar to Vista. XP applications that run under Vista or Vista under compatibility mode should work with Windows 7. There is also another alternative.
Windows 7 Pro and Ultimate users can download software from MS that allows XP software to run in a virtual XP window. Unfortunately, this requires CPU's that support on-chip virtualization
Upgrading to Windows 7
by LordAntony - 8/21/09 11:41 PM In reply to: Can I run my current Windows XP software programs on Windows 7? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
"I've heard about some sort of XP
virtualization program on Windows 7 that will allow me to run
XP programs. Is this true?"
Yes, it is. But this option avalible in Busyness/pro & Ultimate versions only! It works like a virtual PC: you are runing virtual copy Win. XP under Win. 7 and there you are starting any XP-programs. Read more about this function here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/
Also here http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx you can download upgrade adwisor, which will scan your PC and give you some adices about upgrade to Win 7...
Running older programs on XP...
by Wolfie2k5 - 8/22/09 12:50 AM In reply to: Can I run my current Windows XP software programs on Windows 7? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The answer is - it depends. I've been testing Windows 7 and many of my apps and the good news - there's only one that doesn't seem to want to run - and that's an installer that insists on being locked into Windows XP. The app, when copied from another system, works fine.
Beyond that... I'm running some rather ancient software - circa 1999 and 2000 - and it runs mostly as expected. Some things - like setting preferences - the apps need to be run as Administrator - and once that's done, they can be run as a normal user. I've even got a really ancient 16 bit game - Castle of the Winds - running under Windows 7 without any problems - it even runs better than it did on XP. It was originally written to work with Windows 3.1.
Your best bet would be to download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor which can be found here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx
It will tell you what apps will work properly, what might have some issues and what won't. It'll also tell you about your hardware - what you've got that's ready to go and what needs an upgrade.
The XP Mode software is - as the description says - a fully licensed virtual instance of Windows XP Pro. It's only available in Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate/Enterprise (which are pretty much the same thing, except for the license).
Before you get too excited about it, however, XP Mode is a very limited utility. It's NOT designed to be running your games and such. It's designed to run custom business apps that will NOT work under Windows 7 under any circumstances. It also has some specific system requirements.
Your CPU and your motherboard both must support hardware virtualization. If you've got an Intel chip, your motherboard must support hardware virtualization and it must be activated in the motherboard's BIOS. Not all Intel chips support it. Check your manuals and documentation.
AMD CPUs with an AM2 or later socket mostly support it. No AMD chips with socket 939 or older support hardware virtualization. The motherboards for AM2 and later CPUs all automatically support HW Virtualization natively - it's not controlled by the BIOS.
As such, XP Mode is not a panacea for all issues - but it does help out with those situations that have no other solution.
Running programs in Windows7
by patsypoodle - 8/22/09 1:05 AM In reply to: Can I run my current Windows XP software programs on Windows 7? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have been running Windows7 for quite a long time now, first the Beta version and now the Release Candidate. I have installed all of the software I had, including Dreamweaver8, Microsoft Office 2000!, Nero, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, ITunes and they all run perfectly well. I also have a couple of "cheapy" word games I've downloaded in the past and they all work perfectly well. Windows7 can spot if a program needs to be run in a different version of Windows and if necessary it makes adjustments itself.
Ah, but what version of Photoshop
by Volcano DAn - 8/28/09 7:55 PM In reply to: Running programs in Windows7 by patsypoodleI have PhotoShop7 that is good enough for me but so old they will not upgrade from this to the new version and want the full $500 which they ain't gonna get from me.
From Jeff to Bryan
by jeffjgale - 8/22/09 2:11 AM In reply to: Can I run my current Windows XP software programs on Windows 7? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
G'day Bryan, I have been using Win 7 for just over two weeks, Some of the software that I'm running was even made for 98se and is working OK, I have not come across any XP program to give me trouble. A good trick to use [if you have Administrator rights on the computer you are using] is to right click on the .exe file of the program you are going to use and click on 'Run as Administrator', hope this helps, Oh, the only issue I have with 7 on my PC is that whenever I right click on a folder/file in [My] Computer, it freezes up, so I just run a 3rd party file Mgr.
Regards Jeff.
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