Windows 7 XP Mode is a hot topic. XP Mode is an additional feature of Windows 7 that allows users to run Windows XP programs in a virtual machine. Recently, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, a columnist on the famous technology website ZDNet, wrote an article after trying out the XP model for a period of time and pointed out six major problems with the XP model.
1. Lack of virtual tools
If you have used commercial products such as VMware Workstation, you will feel that the functions of XP mode are very basic. XP mode cannot copy a virtual operating system or create snapshots, which is exactly the advantage of a virtual operating system, but XP mode does not provide these tools.
2. Manage two systems at the same time
What's more serious is that enterprises using XP mode need to manage twice the number of operating systems as desktop computers. Anyone who migrates to Windows 7 and uses XP mode will encounter this problem. It might not be so bad if XP Mode could manage the XP installation, but it doesn't.
3. XP mode threatens the host system
A virtual operating system is a sandbox for the host operating system. This is an advantage of virtualization technology. It means that if the virtual operating system is attacked by a virus, the host operating system remains safe. In XP mode, the virtual operating system always seems to access the file system of the host operating system, so the security of the host operating system is difficult to guarantee.
4. Increase in security costs
In order to ensure the security of both systems, users need to install anti-virus software and firewalls for each system. This is not just a matter of cost. In addition, users also need to regularly upgrade their security software.
5. Configuration troubles
Running XP mode is more demanding than running Windows 7 or XP alone. The minimum memory is 2GB, and the chips are limited to Intel and AMD.
In order to run XP mode, users have to configure a CPU that supports virtualization technology. Intel CPUs need to have VT-x technology, and AMD CPUs need to have AMD-V technology. After the CPU is equipped, the user also needs to consider the BIOS configuration.
6. What is the key point?
If your business is currently using XP, what's the point of migrating to Windows 7? After all, whether you use XP Mode or not, extended support for XP will end in 2014, and XP Mode is nothing more than a temporary measure.
When we debate the quality of XP mode, do we think of using other systems? Linux or Mac? In fact, Windows does not have to be used as a host. However, Microsoft's "XP Mode" has been improved before, eliminating the need for virtualization hardware, which undoubtedly lowers the application threshold of "XP Mode".
About Windows XP Mode:
Windows XP Mode makes it easy for users to install and run applications under Windows XP directly in Windows 7 systems. It uses virtualization technology to provide a virtual Windows XP environment for the Windows 7 platform. Windows XP Mode provides Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise editions users with greater flexibility to run older applications in a virtual Windows XP environment.
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