Using Xp Mode In Win 7

Hi guys. I have a laptop running Windows 7 Pro. I have several software programs which I really loved that I used with XP, but they aren't compatible with Win 7. I found this: https://lifehacker.com/5245396/set-up-and-use-xp-mode-in-windows-7.

What do you think of it? Could it cause any problems (I certainly don't want anything bad to happen since I just recently had to reinstall Windows)? Since I'm not very "computer savvy" should I steer clear of it?

 

Definitely. It is very buggy and hasn't been updated for years. Best to forget about XP, nice as it was.

 

Thanks Earthling. Another question...one of the programs I used a lot is Roxio Creator 8. I have data and photos that I copied onto cd's using Roxio. The file extension on the photos is jpg.$CP. I need the Roxio program to open them. Since I can't afford to buy another Roxio program, can I use the xp mode in Win 7 just to retrieve my files from the cd's, then remove it, or are the risks too great?

 

It isn't so much about risks, it's just that XP won't be able to open the files. What happens if you delete the .$CP from one of the filenames, leaving just filename.jpg, which Win 7 can open. If that's no good do remember to add back what you deleted.

 

Virtual PC has not been updated because they had XP Mode for Win 7, if you go to Win 10 you can use HyperVisor with "XP mode"
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7/ Virtual PC was the frame work, you had to install the OS, XP Mode installs VPC and a copy of XP.
LINKS for XP Mode

 

Earthling, how do I delete that if I can't open the file? Here's a screenshot:

 

Right-click the file, click Rename, and remove .$CP.

 

Good morning. Eldon, I tried that, but every program I tried to open it with said it couldn't open that file type.

 

Ok. We thought the file extension was just appended.

I would install Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode.
Then install the Roxio program to open your files.

Windows Virtual PC.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=3702

Windows XP Mode.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/microsoft_windows_xp_mode.html

Note:
Your CPU needs to support hardware-assisted virtualization. If it doesn't or it isn't enabled in the BIOS, install this update from Microsoft.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=3248

FYI: Running an operating system in a virtual machine (which is exactly what you'll be doing) is how MajorGeeks' owners test/evaluate software.
Your system will be safe.