Download and install Windows Virtual PC.

Download and install the XP Mode Components.

Getting XP mode up and running requires four main steps:

Update: The latest version of Windows Virtual PC removes the hardware-assisted virtualization requirement. On some computers the feature may be turned off in the BIOS, click here for instructions on how to turn it on. Microsoft has a helpful tool that will detect if your hardware is compatible called the HAV Detection Tool. The only hardware requirement for using XP mode is a computer with a processor that supports hardware-assisted virtualization such as AMD-V, Intel-VT or VIA VT. The only way you can tell it is running in the XP Virtual Machine in the background is by the XP visual style that surrounds the window. It appears like any other window on your desktop and taskbar. With XP mode they start the application from a shortcut in the Start Menu. The end user does not have load and work inside the virtual machines as required in the past.

XP Mode is a free download component for Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise customers that allows you to run legacy apps inside a Windows XP virtual machine running in the background. Sometimes all of the compatibility settings in Windows 7 are not enough to make legacy applications run.

How to run virtual pc on windows 7