Windows Virtual PC Beta (WVP or VPC) is the latest Microsoft virtualization technology that provides the capability to run multiple Windows environments such as Windows XP Mode in virtual machine from Windows 7 desktop. It also features ability to allow users to run many productivity applications on a virtual Windows environment, with a single click, directly from a Windows 7 host PC desktop.

Features of Windows Virtual PC:

  • Seamless Applications: Launch applications installed on a virtual machine directly from the Windows 7 desktop, as if they were installed on the Windows 7 host.
  • Simplified UI: Enhanced UI that is easy to use. Integrated with Windows 7 Explorer.
  • Integration Features: Allows clipboard sharing, drive sharing, and printer redirection between Windows 7 and the virtual machine.
  • USB support: Users can access USB devices attached to the host, directly from virtual machines. These devices include Printers and Scanners, Flash Memory/Sticks and External Hard Drives, Digital Cameras, and more.

Meanwhile, Windows XP Mode (XPM) aka Virtual Windows XP (VXP), which is a virtual machine installed with 32-bit Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (SP3) environment pre-loaded on a virtual hard disk, makes it easy to install and run many of your Windows XP productivity applications directly from a Windows 7-based PC. It utilizes client virtualization technology such as Windows Virtual PC to provide a Virtual Windows XP environement for Windows 7.

Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode has been leaked to Internet well before Microsoft release. With the release of Windows 7 RC, Microsoft has officially released Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode at Microsoft Download Center and official Windows Virtual PC homepage for free download. The following direct download links can also be used to download the setup installer of Windows Virtual PC Beta and Windows XP Mode Beta VHD image.

Download Windows Virtual PC Beta

Version: 6.1.7084.0. Applicable for all Windows 7 languages, including English, Arabic, Simplified Chinese (China), Traditional Chinese (Taiwan), French, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish.

32-bit (x86): Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu
64-bit (x64): English: Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu

Download 32-bit (x86) Windows XP Mode Beta

Version: 1.1.7112.1

English: VirtualWindowsXP.msi
Arabic: VirtualWindowsXP.msi
Simplified Chinese (PRC): VirtualWindowsXP.msi
Traditional Chinese (Taiwan): VirtualWindowsXP.msi
French: VirtualWindowsXP.msi
German: VirtualWindowsXP.msi
Japanese: VirtualWindowsXP.msi
Korean: VirtualWindowsXP.msi
Spanish: VirtualWindowsXP.msi

Download 64-bit (x64) Windows XP Mode Beta

Version: 1.1.7112.1

English: VirtualWindowsXP.msi
Arabic: VirtualWindowsXP.msi
Simplified Chinese (PRC): VirtualWindowsXP.msi
Traditional Chinese (Taiwan): VirtualWindowsXP.msi
French: VirtualWindowsXP.msi
German: VirtualWindowsXP.msi
Japanese: VirtualWindowsXP.msi
Korean: VirtualWindowsXP.msi
Spanish: VirtualWindowsXP.msi

Update: Windows Virtual PC RC and Windows XP Mode RC

Note that Windows Virtual PC requires a CPU with the Intel Virtualization Technology (VT) or AMD-V feature turned on in BIOS. Use SecurAble to check if the CPU supports the hardware-assisted virtualization.

Windows Virtual PC can be installed on Windows 7 Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Enterprise as Host operating system, and supported the following Guest operating systems: Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) Professional, Windows Vista Enterprise Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows Vista Ultimate Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Enterprise.