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Go to the File > Import Windows XP Mode VM menu. Then, launch VMware Workstation or Player. This folder will contain, among other files, the 1GB+ file "Windows XP Mode base.vhd" representing the hard drive of the Windows XP virtual machine. The installation wizard will give you a chance to specify where the files installed, placing them in "C:Program FilesWindows XP Mode" by default. Next, install the downloaded Windows XP Mode executable. You'll have the option of downloading and installing Windows Virtual PC software, but you don't need it if you’ll be using VMware. You'll need to go through the Windows validation wizard to confirm you’re running a licensed copy of the appropriate version of Windows 7. If you prefer to use VMware Workstation or VMware Player instead of Virtual PC, follow instructions below.įirst, download Windows XP Mode from Microsoft. Microsoft calls this virtualized instance of Windows XP "Windows XP Mode," and distributes it in the Windows Virtual PC format.
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(A variation of this approach seems to work on Windows 8.1, too.)
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Fortunately, you can download a virtualized instance of Windows XP from Microsoft for free if you are running Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate on your base system. After all, Windows XP is still running on numerous personal and business systems. Yet, many IT professionals, including malware analysts, like having Windows XP in their virtualized labs. It's becoming hard to obtain a licensed copy of Windows XP.
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