Many corporations have switched to the Windows 7 operating system, however, some older commercial programs still require Windows XP to run. Businesses with valid copies of Windows 7 installed can download Microsoft Virtual PC to run Windows XP mode, which allows users to create virtual devices running the XP operating system. This allows businesses to run programs that might not be compatible with Windows 7 in a virtual environment. However, when Windows XP is in Virtual PC mode, it may be mandatory to network the virtual device with other computers. When you install Windows XP mode, Windows 7 configures the new virtual appliance to use the same network workgroup as the host computer. Before you can send and get knowledge over the LAN with the virtual appliance in XP mode, you will need to map the network drives on the virtual appliance and configure the settings for your network adapter.
Download Windows XP with Virtual PC Mode for Windows 7 from Microsoft (link in resources) and install it on your PC if you haven’t already. Also, download and install the Windows XP Virtual PC plugin. Restart the PC after installing Windows XP mode and the Virtual PC add-on.
Click on “Start” and “All Programs”. In the list of program folders, click “Windows Virtual PC”, then click “Windows XP” mode. Accept the license agreement if prompted.
Enter a password for the default XP mode user. Retype the password in the “Confirm Password” box and click the “Next” button. If you’ve already set up Windows XP mode on your computer, you’ll see this step.
Click the “Start Installation” button if prompted in the “Setting Percentage of Drives on this PC with Windows XP Mode” window. Wait for Windows 7 to set XP mode for its first use and release the XP virtual desktop. Depending on the speed of your PC, it can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Again, if you’ve already installed and configured Windows XP mode on your PC, you’ll see the step.
Click the “Start” button on the Virtual XP desktop, then click “My Computer. “Right-click on the “Local Disk (C:) and click on “Sharing & Security” in the context menu. Click on the classified link “If you perceive the threat yet to share the root of the drive, click here”. The “Share” tab appears in the “Local Disk Properties (C:)” window.
Click “If you perceive security hazards but need percentages of files running the wizard, click here. “Once the Enable File Sharing window opens, click “Simply Enable File Sharing” and click “OK. “
Click and allow the “Share over Network” option. Type a descriptive callout in the “Shared Name” field. Change the default “C” to “XPModeCDrive” or something similar.
Click and allow the “Allow network users to edit my files” option. Click the “Apply” button, then click “OK. “Wait a few seconds for XP mode to set up the VHD to share over the network.
Click “Tools” in the toolbar of the XP mode window, then click “Settings”. Click on “Networks” in the list of settings. Click the drop-down list next to the “Adapter 1” label. Select the Call Device from the network adapter installed on the computer and click “OK”. Wait a few seconds for XP mode to reconfigure the adapter settings for the virtual machine and get an IP address from your router or DHCP server.
Click outside the Virtual XP desktop window to return to the Windows 7 environment. Click “Start” and select “Control Panel”. In the Control Panel window, click “Network and Sharing Center. “In the next window that opens, click on “Change Complex Sharing Settings”. In the next window, allow the following options:
Enable Network Discovery Enable Record and Printer Sharing Enable sharing so that with network access you can read and write logs to public folders Disable password-protected sharing
Click the “Save Changes” button in the “Change Sharing Features for Other Network Profiles” window. Close the Network & Sharing Center window.
Click “Start” and “Computer”. Once Windows Explorer is open, click the “Network” link in the left navigation pane. A list of computers on the local network appears, adding the virtual device in Windows XP mode. Double-click the virtual appliance icon.
Right-click on the shared drive folder that appears in the window, and then click “Map Network Drive” from the context menu. The Map Network Drive window opens.
Click the “Drive” drop-down list and click the letter of the newly mapped network drive. You can also leave the default drive letter unchanged. Click and allow the “Reconnect to Connection” option. Click the “Finish” button. You can now access the mapped network drive in Windows Explorer in the host environment.
Assign the drive to other computers on the network as needed. Use the mapped drive on the VM as you would a local drive or shared folder.
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Biography of the writer.
Jeff Grundy has been writing articles and how-to on computer science since 1995. Since then, Grundy has written user guides for various programs that are published on many how-to and instructional sites. Born and raised in South Georgia, Grundy holds a Master of Science in Mathematics from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
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