XP mode vs virtualbox

[Qbektrix]

Hi,

I am new user to Windows 7. The XP mode feature is pretty confusing. I dont see anythong new about it. Its just like VirtualBox, VMWare or any other virtualization software from what I can understand.

If I am not wrong, i think Virtual PC of MS was also doing the same thing.

What is the innovative part here???? I was under the impression that it was something like thinapp.

[devi59]

  On 25/07/2010 at 18:13, Qbektrix said:

Hi,

I am new user to Windows 7. The XP mode feature is pretty confusing. I dont see anythong new about it. Its just like VirtualBox, VMWare or any other virtualization software from what I can understand.

If I am not wrong, i think Virtual PC of MS was also doing the same thing.

What is the innovative part here???? I was under the impression that it was something like thinapp.

If you have used VMware it is like Unity but even better. Instead of having the start menu on top of your Win7 one anytime you run a XP Mode program it has the "window decoration" of WinXP but is running in a seperate process not affecting your Win7 at all (no malware spreading etc) It was great when I was a remote worker for an ISP I could run my WinXP programs (stupid legacy wouldnt run in Win7 even under compatibility mode) but still run my normal programs on Win7

[SVG Veteran]

After installing XPMode you can Start the XP VM, install the app which requires you to have XP and then it runs from your Windows 7 start menu without going through the entire process

[Jen Smith]

It's mostly how it's integrated into the OS I think; much more streamlined with the start menu entries and whatnot.. trying to appeal to the holdouts that didn't want to upgrade because of compatibility issues. Otherwise, meh I'm not a fan, I prefer VirtualBox myself. Does some tricks that XP Mode can't. And to be honest, haven't even had the need for a VM for Windows apps; everything has run just fine in Win 7 for me, even some very old games and such.

[hdood]

  On 25/07/2010 at 18:13, Qbektrix said:

I am new user to Windows 7. The XP mode feature is pretty confusing. I dont see anythong new about it. Its just like VirtualBox, VMWare or any other virtualization software from what I can understand.

Yes, it's the same thing. XP Mode is just a version of Virtual PC. The difference between it and other programs like VirtualBox or VMWare is that it integrates slightly more seamlessly with the host OS, and that it comes with a fully licensed copy of Windows XP. With VirtualBox, you would have to get the elsewhere. It's intended to make it easier for small businesses to run older software that just won't work in 7. It's a last measure when nothing else works. It has no value for most people, and isn't worth paying for.