When Windows 7 first came out it supported a new feature called Windows XP Mode. This allowed you to run Windows XP applications on your Windows 7 system for compatibility purposes.
However, there was a catch. Your CPU had to support hardware virtualization in order for this feature to work.
Well as of today that has all changed. Microsoft announced they have removed that restriction and now anyone can run Windows XP Mode on their Windows 7 machine.
Now there is still a catch. Windows XP Mode is still only available to those who have Windows 7 Professional or higher. Windows 7 Home users are out of luck still.
Install this update to remove the prerequisites required to run Windows Virtual PC and XP mode. The prerequisites include a processor which supports hardware assisted virtualization (HAV) which is also enabled in the BIOS. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
x64 – (4.1MB)
x86 – (3.7MB)
You must also be running Genuine Windows and pass the validation to get these downloads.
