XP mode in Windows 7

Admiral Huddy · 4 Jun 2013 at 09:45

Never used this. I have someone who has a very expensive scanner/printer but the drivers don't support Windows 7 natively. Plus he has vast quantities of expensive ink still to use but he is wanting to to upgrade his system to include an an SSD which means upgrading to windows 7 (he's not interest in win 8).

I've suggested using Win 7 professional (64) and use the XP mode for his printer but i was wondering if XP mode is 32-bit?

thanks

CaptainCrash · 4 Jun 2013 at 10:06

Yes, the XP virtual machine is 32-bit and will need 32-bit drivers. It *should* work OK - similar thread here.

If the scanner's high quality/expensive, it might be worth investing in VueScan, provided the model is supported - apart from the extra features, he won't have to keep firing up a VM, which will make for a more seamless experience and probably better performance.

Admiral Huddy · 5 Jun 2013 at 14:01

Ok Cheers CaptainCrash.. I have to say, I'm a little confused. According to MS, if you install trhe version depending on your Windows 7 setup.

Note: The x64 version works with 64-bit versions of Windows 7. The x86 version works with 32-bit versions of Windows 7. To find out if your PC is running 32- or 64-bit Windows 7, click the Start button , right-click Computer, and then click Properties. 32-bit and 64-bit information appears next to System type.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows7/install-and-use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7

So I'm reading this as if you have windows 7 64-bit, you can only run x64 not x86?

I'll forward him the link on VueScan..

Mikoyan · 5 Jun 2013 at 14:09

its 32bit even if the installer is 64 according to Technet:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com...t/thread/e6088a5c-7d14-47fe-a4ed-eafe9c261502

Admiral Huddy · 5 Jun 2013 at 14:34

confirmed then. Great find that cheers Mikoyan

So do you load the Xp 32-bit printer/scanner drivers the same way in VM?

Idleman · 6 Jun 2013 at 01:39

Here`s a couple of links that might be useful, if you don`t have them already.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows7/install-and-use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8002

CaptainCrash · 6 Jun 2013 at 07:01

Admiral Huddy said:
So do you load the Xp 32-bit printer/scanner drivers the same way in VM?

Yes, the XP client VM is 32-bit only, so 64-bit drivers won't work even if you could find them.

The link you quoted earlier is a bit confusing, at least if you're not familiar with XP mode - it talks about 32-bit and 64-bit versions of "Windows Virtual PC," without stating clearly that this is the application that *runs* the virtual machine, not the XP VM itself. Still, what do you expect from a company which produced "Windows XP Professional," "Windows XP Professional x64 Edition" and "Windows XP 64-bit Edition," which are three completely different operating systems with little in common other than their appearance.