Windows Virtual PC (WVPC) is a client virtualization software, which can be used on Windows 7 to create multiple Virtual Machines (VMs), each running a different operating system (OS). WVPC can be obtained as a free download from Windows Virtual PC website. WVPC is the engine which supports Windows XP Mode, a pre-configured VM running Windows XP SP3 provided by Microsoft on Windows Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise SKUs.
You can read more about Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode in my “Installing Virtual PC on Windows 7” and “How To Install Windows XP Mode (XPM) on Windows 7” articles.
Windows Virtual PC: Download:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx
Note that Windows Virtual PC only supports Windows 7 as the host platform, and in order to successfully use it you must have a computer that uses a virtualization-enabled technology by Intel (Intel VT) or AMD (AMD V).
Windows Virtual PC: Configure BIOS:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/support/configure-bios.aspx
Windows XP Mode is specially designed for small and medium-sized businesses to help ease the migration process to Windows 7 by providing additional compatibility for their older productivity applications.
As always, make sure to read the Release Notes and the Installation Guide before installing.
Note: You need to uninstall the Beta before installing the RC product binaries, upgrades aren’t supported.
Based on feedback they’ve received from the Windows XP Mode beta users, Microsoft has made several improvements to the usability of Windows XP Mode for small and medium-sized business users:
Download Windows Virtual PC (6.1.7234.0)
Download Windows XP Mode RC (1.2.7235.0)
See original source here:
Nathan Mercer’s blog : Windows Virtual PC and Win XP Mode Release Candidate – now available:
http://blogs.technet.com/nmercer/archive/2009/08/05/windows-virtual-pc-and-win-xp-mode-release-candidate-now-available.aspx
Windows XP Mode RC Now Available – Windows 7 Team Blog – The Windows Blog:
http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/08/04/windows-xp-mode-rc-now-available.aspx