XP Emulator for Win7

I need an XP emulator for a Win7 64-bit machine. MS wants 90 berkeleying dollars to upgrade to Pro (I have Home Premium), which has an XP "virtual machine." Are there any, less expensive, alternatives?

It looks like there's a free app called Virtual Box that allows me to run multiple OSs -- anyone have experience with this?

could dual boot... not as convenient... but xp should fly on a good win7 machine... assuming you can get drivers for it

I'm using VirtualBox to run a few virtual machines and generally it works fine. The problem is that you'll still need a copy of Windows XP to build said virtual machine...

VMWare Player can also create VMs these days so that would be another free alternative.

Do you really need XP, or can whatever you need XP for be run in Compatibility Mode? IIRC, all versions of Win7 have Compatibility Mode, which tricks older software into thinking it is running on an older OS.

Hmm, bummer: oh, yeah -- I need a copy of XP, too.

The program will not run on my machine. I get a big "middle finger" message from Windows, including a blurb about checking whether I need a 32- or 64-bit version of the software. The compatibility mode doesn't seem to do the trick (I tried the XP/SP2 mode).

This is an old electronic parts catalog for my cars -- pretty darn handy to have.

I have spare computers going back to an apple 2e incase I need to run odd programs or games, upto about 9 now, each with different OS's

Plus 1 to digdug18...I bet the easiest thing would get an used desktop/laptop/netbook with WinXP already on it and use it just for your parts catalog. Buy the computer wipe the PO's crap off of it, reinstall everything and update. I'd vote for the netbook if you don't mind the smallness of it; add a mouse for ease of use.

+1 on VirtualBox.

It allows me to run XP on Linux with full access to USB devices and even enables 3D acceleration for graphic software. (my 3D CAD program for instance).

??? Windows 7 runs "XP MODE"

Start -> Windows Virtual PC

I have several legacy programs that run great in it.

procainestart wrote: I need an XP emulator for a Win7 64-bit machine. MS wants 90 berkeleying dollars to upgrade to Pro (I have Home Premium), which has an XP "virtual machine." Are there any, less expensive, alternatives?

Steal it? Its what I did

Grtechguy wrote: ??? Windows 7 runs "XP MODE" Start -> Windows Virtual PC I have several legacy programs that run great in it.

Windows 7 XP mode requires at least Win 7 Pro and the OP has Win7 Home Premium...

+1 for XP in a VM using VirtualBox. If it's for personal use...well who needs to know if it's licensed?

You can actually convert a PC into a virtual machine but it's a major PITA with Windows XP.

use VMplayer.

Create virtual machines using VMplayer.

I play a really old version of some games using this method. Get some skill with this stuff and you can call yourself a VMware Admin and get paid. Your employer will want you to know how to use Vmware server or ESX instead of VMplaya.

GameboyRMH wrote: +1 for XP in a VM using VirtualBox. If it's for personal use...well who needs to know if it's licensed? You can actually convert a PC into a virtual machine but it's a major PITA with Windows XP.

There was a (free) piece of software that would take a snapshot of a running XP install and turn it into a virtual machine disk file, but the last time I looked it wasn't available anymore. And no, I can't remember its name atm.