Windows 7 forum: Can I run my current Windows XP software programs on Windows 7?

I 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.

most likely you will be, either because the Windows 7 coding may be similar to XP's or through a compatibility mode like the one used in Vista

Windows XP Mode will only run on Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate editions and requires a virtualization engine, such as Windows Virtual PC.
Windows Virtual PC requires a CPU with the Intel Virtualization Technology or AMD-V feature turned on. This feature must be enabled in the system BIOS.

This is straight from Microsoft

Windows 7 Virtual XP will only be available for Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate versions. It is a Microsoft customization of their Virtual PC program that (in RC stage) requires a download of the Windows XP distribution.
You should be able to run any programs that work with XP but not on Windows 7. Be prepared because it is a whole new "machine" inside your machine which will require management for both platforms (XP and 7) such as security software.
Also be aware that to my knowledge there will be no direct upgrade path to Windows 7 from Windows XP. It will be a full, clean install with a folder containing all of your old files.

I have windows 7RC on an older computer and I have installed programs that ran with windows 95 and have had no problems. Just like XP there is a compatibility tab when you right click on the program and click on the properties tab. Windows 7, after installing will make suggestions to what the program may run best at and you can either excet that or try a different compatibily mode. There is a vertual XP mode that requires additional memory and hard drive space but I believe that is more for businesses that don't want to change their software to operate in Windows 7.

If one has a license for XP one can run XP in a virtual machine regardless of what version of Windows 7 that one has. VirtualBox can run XP in a virtual machine just fine and it doesn't require VT support like Windows Virtual PC does.

Furthermore, as other have noted a lot of older software runs fine under Windows 7 without using virtual machines. Sure, there is quite a bit of legacy software that will need an XP virtual machine, but a lot of software will not require XP mode at all.

dual boot partition your hard disk if use 32 bit no need dual boot virtualization software but if u want to try for more performance try dual boot in PC hard disk partition it

Hi
I've been using Win 7 ultimate RC for some time now. I'm running almost all my software (Including MVP Bridge, which I bought almost ten years ago. And there are no updates for it). Never had a problem except with Zone Alarm Internet Suite (I'm using Kaspersky beta for Win 7 valid till next October when I hope ZA will take care of the problem)
I suggest you, before installing any software, to follow these steps:
1 - Right click the setup icon;
2 - Go to Properties;
3 - Go to the Compatibility tab
4 - Mark the first box Compatibility Mode
5 - Select Windows Vista SP2
6 - Accept
and you are ready. You should do this with every single software you use.
The real problem with Win 7 is hardware. No miracles here.
By the way, Win 7 is the ONLY windows OS, since the beginning of times, that put a smile on my face. And I used them all except Vista.

I built a new system specifically to test the Windows 7 Operating System (OS) in both "BETA" and "Release Candidate 1" versions. These free evaluation versions are deployed as the Ultimate Package (as opposed to Basic, or even Home Premium, Business/Professional, etc.). That being said, I have yet to find a reason to use the virtualization function called XPM (XP Mode).

XPM is only available in Business/Professional and Ultimate versions of the OS. To my knowledge, this mode is specifically geared towards businesses that have programs that have been custom-coded to run on WinXP. Previously, I ran multiple WinXP computers in my house, I did not make the jump to Vista when it was available.

To operate the hardware on my PC, I have had to used Windows Vista drivers for the best performance. I have run a few video games with no fall out, and also have run MS Office 2003, iTunes, AVG (anti-virus), and a few other programs without an issue.

Check to see if the version of software you are running can run on Windows Vista. Check to see if the hardware you are running has drivers for Windows Vista or Win7 available. Most good software/hardware sites will have a forum (like CNET does) that will allow you to post any questions about it. If you are not a friend of forums, usually there is a techsupport e-mail address if you dig just below the surface.

Hope this was helpful,
Z

P.S. Two more months until Win7 is released (10/22/09)!!

I have had success with the 32 bit version of Windows 7. It is simple to do. Right click the program icon (either on the desktop or at the program level) and select the compatibility tab and check the box for making it compatible with Windows XP SP2.

I have not been successful in doing this on the 64 bit version of Windows 7, but have limited experience.

I have been using Windows 7 on a 4 year old IBM ThinkPad, and it runs great. I just installed it on a newer IBM ThinkCentre with a Pendium 4 processor and it files.

at the Sticky post in this forum here;
Windows 7 Tips and Guides

And in particular John's post #11 there about upgrades;
Pricing and Upgrade Information

If you have any more questions you would do better creating your own thread because this one was started in 2009 and the posters have moved on.

Good luck.

Mark

In the September issue of PC Authority (Aust) there is on their DVD a complete installation of Windows 7 Relase Candidate which will last until March 2010. Thsi allows you to dual boot into 7 or XP. Barry

Most XP software will run on Windows 7. For the remainder, some of it will work using virtual XP machine mode.

HOWEVER, there are a couple of potential snags with this:
1. Not all versions of Windows 7 support this mode. If you need it, make sure the version you buy lists this as a feature.
2. Not all CPUs have hardware level support for this mode. Again, if you need it, ask the seller whether the hardware setup will support XP virtualization.
3. Even if you get it working (and have used a legal XP key to install it), you will not be protected by your computer's anti-virus set-up because the virtual machine works by tricking your computer into thinking it is a different computer running a different operating system. It is going to be a security nightmare unless Microsoft starts putting more effort into educating users about this issue.

It appears that Microsoft put in XP virtualization in order to calm the fears of the huge installed base of XP users who rebelled at having to scrap their software in order to upgrade to Vista. However, MS is not going to make it easy to use and really wants everybody to update their software to Windows 7 versions.

I didn't like Vista, so I purchased Windows XP and reformatted the hard drive of my new desktop...problem solved! (although I don't know much about it, I think the greater problem is matching 32-bit software - or even 16-bit, which I am running, too - to the operating system. The newer operating systems seem to be 64-bit, and I don't think the 32-bit software is compatible, but am not sure.)

I assume that your question refer to Windows Explorer. This just another program, not an operating system like Windows XP. I recently upgraded from WE-6 to WE-7. The new program funtions perfectly on XP. In truth, there is not very much difference, in fact no noticable difference between the two, and you can upgrade without any hesitation with no effect at all on your other programs.