14 DAY TRIAL // One of the most talked-about features that will be enabled in the next iteration of Windows is the Windows 7 XP Mode, which will essentially enable PC users to run Windows XP applications on the upcoming Windows 7 operating system. However, according to recent reports on the Internet, this feature won't be available on all computer systems, especially on those Intel-based PCs that run on certain Intel processors. Apparently, the business-oriented feature requires that the processor comes with support for virtualization, which in Intel's case is known as Intel VT.
According to a recent article on ZDNet, users who will want to take advantage of the Windows XP mode in Windows 7 will be required to upgrade to an Intel processor that features the Intel VT technology. This feature is enabled on a series of Intel's chips, but a good part of the PCs on the market today “won't be able to use the vaunted Windows XP mode in Windows,” said Ed Bott in a recent article for his Microsoft Report section.
There's an entire list of processors that will be able to support the upcoming Windows XP Mode for Windows 7, a list that is completed by the Intel CPUs that don't have the Intel VT technology enabled. Fortunately, the majority of AMD Phenom, Phenom II, Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 X2 chips of the F and G families come with AMD-V technology, which essentially represents AMD's support for virtualization.
According to Intel, its Virtualization Technology was introduced in 2005 and has been enabled in over 100 million chips. “Windows XP Mode is targeted for business customers. It is available on the mid to higher end versions of Windows 7 and is supported in hardware by many Intel processors.” the chip maker said in a statement. The company continues by stating the obvious, “Intel vPro technology PCs are required to have an Intel VT capable CPU and Intel VT capable BIOS. They are the best platforms for testing and deploying Microsoft Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode.”
Aside from the required Intel VT technology, users will also need a BIOS that can enable Intel's virtualization technology, granted the CPU is capable of providing them with this feature.