Windows XP Mode runs many older Windows XP productivity programs and that are not natively compatible with Windows 7, thus helping realize cost savings and reduce possible operational downtime by extending the life of existing software. Unfortunatly XP Mode is only available for Windows 7 Enterprise, Professional and Ultimate SKU's, if you are using another SKU you won't be able to run the XP Mode.

VirtualBox comes to the rescue!

VirtualBox is a powerful x86 and AMD64/Intel64 virtualization product for enterprise as well as home use. Not only is VirtualBox an extremely feature rich, high performance product for enterprise customers, it is also the only professional solution that is freely available as Open Source Software under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2.

Follow these few easy to follow steps to get XP Mode running within VirtualBox within minutes:

1. Download and install VirtualBox
   http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
    
2. Download XP Mode VHD (Only the 400 MB file)
   http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx
   ^{Make sure you choose the windows 7 Enterprise/Professional/Ultimate or else you won't be allowed to download the XP Mode VHD.}
    
3. Extract the file 'xpm' file from the downloaded archive and rename it 'xpm.cab'
    
4. Extract the file 'VirtualXPVHD' file from 'xpm.cab' and rename and give it the file extension '*.vhd', example: 'Windows XP Mode.vhd'
    
5. Now launch VirtualBox and create a new guest OS.
    

Name the VM guest OS and pick settings as shown below.



If you are not sure pick the standard assigned memory, or adjust as needed.

Choose 'Use existing hard disk' and select the XP Mode VHD extracted earlier, in my example i named it 'Windows XP Mode.vhd'.

Click Finish, and start enjoying XP mode in VirtualBox

Addendum

The XP Mode VHD contains a mechanism that automaticly activates the XP Mode guest OS on VirtualPC when used on Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Professional Or Windows 7 Ultimate. The XP Mode VHD contain 4 oembios files that, when used in conjunction with the standard product key in the VHD and a BIOS string doesn't require activation. This BIOS string automaticly gets activated on Windows 7 Enterprise, Professional Or  Ultimate SKU's, If you use another SKU this BIOS string is not added.

To benefit from the same mechanism (OA 1.0 pre-activation) on your just created XP Mode guest OS on VirtualBox you need to patch a VirtualBox dll file. (vBoxDD2.dll)

The patch attached below inserts the required BIOS string, which when loaded enables you to use the same OA 1.0 pre-activation on VirtualBox 4.0.x.

The patch was found here.


 

Note

Activating the XP Mode VHD on VirtualBox using this patch is not allowed according the XP Mode EULA, so use at your own risk!