You Leap
“…you do have options that can eliminate legacy application problems or at least make upgrades feasible.”
the Windows Control Panel applet named “Use an older program with this version of Windows.” The wizard walks through a series of questions to determine compatibility settings, including Compatibility Mode, Run in 256 Colors, Run in 640x480 resolution, Disable Visual Themes, and several others. You can also access those settings manually with the compatibility tab found under an applications shortcut. For most applications, compatibility settings will
do the trick. They control many basic options such as OS reporting, display settings and disk access. However, some applications may be buggy even under Windows 7’s compatibility options. If that is the case, all is not lost.
XP Mode to the Rescue For severe compatibility problems, Microsoft offers
XP Mode, a free add-on that can run an application under a virtualized version of Windows XP. XP Mode uses Microsoft’s virtual PC technology to create a separate, complete virtual machine running Windows XP. Simply put, if the application worked fine under Windows XP, it will likely work flawlessly in XP Mode.
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However, there are some caveats to XP Mode. First, it’s
a virtual machine, so you need to reserve space for a virtual hard drive on the Windows 7 system. In addition, make sure that you have adequate RAM to run the host OS (Windows 7) and the guest OS (Windows XP) and that your CPU supports virtualization. With that in mind, having to rely on XP Mode may increase the cost of hardware, support and deployment. In addition, the legacy applications will have to be reinstalled under XP Mode and then distributed, which can complicate large-scale deployments.
Plan the Work, and Work the Plan The lesson here is not to dive blindly into a Windows 7
upgrade but to follow a plan to ensure compatibility and ease transitions. The steps are simple—research, test, take advantage of compatibility tools if needed, develop compatibility plans, test again, pilot a deployment, and then fully deploy.
Boost Your Infrastructure
with a Windows 7 Assessment A deployment of cutting-edge, energy-efficient PCs equipped with Windows 7 can help you cut costs, boost productivity, and simplify manageability. Our assessment can help you plan for this deployment and ensure a smooth transition to new technology.
Call your to schedule a Windows 7 assessment today. 1.800.369.1047
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