I have been using Windows 7 for a couple weeks so far and have yet to have any significant problems. As mentioned in a previous blog, I have an older HP printer that I was not able to use the scan or fax functions. I put the new XP Mode to the test. The results were simply amazing (at least to me it was). I installed the HP scanning software under the Windows XP Mode option. I am now able to scan, fax and have full functionality of my printer. The XP Mode install even put an icon in my Windows 7 start menu. It seamlessly runs the HP scanning software from the Windows 7 desktop.
Even though XP Mode is a "virtual OS" running within Windows 7, it is not like the traditional virtual machine OS that you are used to seeing. Normally, when running a virtual OS, you have your main OS and the guest OS with its own desktop, icons, programs, etc… When running a program in XP Mode, you don’t see the XP desktop, instead it runs in the background. All you see is the program you are trying to run on your main desktop – just like XP Mode is not even there.
There is an XP Mode desktop that will need to be accessed when installing software in XP mode. Once the software is installed, the desktop does not need to be started to run your application. If it is running, Windows asks you to close it down. When you run the XP Mode software it starts up the virtual machine software for you and puts it in the background.
I am very impressed with Windows 7 and glad I made the choice to install it. If you choose to upgrade, or buy a new PC with Windows 7 installed, please be sure to verify that the software and hardware you intend to use will work with Windows 7 and XP Mode. Remember that XP Mode is a separate download that needs to be installed. It is only available for the Professional and Ultimate versions of Windows 7. It is only compatible with hardware (The CPU or processor) that supports virtualization mode.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the CCS Support Department at 800-672-4806 or email_me. If you have your own experiences with Windows 7 or any other software CCS Retail Systems and our customers use. You can become an author and contribute your thoughts and experiences on the CCS website.
-Bryan 