Thank you again for all of you who tuned in live for our most recent virtual roundtable. We had so many questions asked during the broadcast, we were unable to get to all of them so I am dedicating this blog post to the questions and to the answers provided by our product teams involved in the broadcast.

To view all the questions and answers, click here.

For more information and resources on application compatibility with Windows 7, please visit our page on TechNet here.

  • In a few words, what is the difference between Windows 7 XP Mode and MED-V?
    • Windows XP Mode, is a preconfigured Windows XP environment that is available for customers who have Windows 7 Pro and up.
      It allows those customers to manually install their incompatible applications on this Windows XP image, and run them seamlessly on their Windows 7 desktop.
      From the user experience it is similar to what MED-V offered on Windows Vista.
      However, while Windows XP Mode is a great solution for a single user or a small business. When it comes to larger organizations, where IT needs to deploy incompatible applications in scale, they need a way to deploy those virtual machines, provision and customize them accordingly, control their settings centrally and finally support and troubleshoot.. That's what MED‑V is providing - the deployment of those Virutal PCs in the enterprise.
      Another thing to remember about MED-V when comparing to Windows XP Mode, is that it will not require PCs to have hardware assisted virt (such as Intel VT or AMD-V technology)
  • Is it possible to use Virtual PC (VPC) created VHDs (Virtual Hard Drives) in a Hyper-V infrastructure?
    • Yes but you need to remove the additions first.
  • In VPC can you configure a quad core? For example, one core for each virtual machine?
    • No
  • To be clear. XP mode in Windows 7 Pro I do not need a XP License!
    • Correct - XP Mode (including the XP OS license) is part of the Windows 7 Pro license
  • How secure is XP Mode?
    • Windows XP Mode is as secure as a Windows XP because it is a virtual copy of Windows XP SP3.
  • What is the difference between Windows Virtual PC and Microsoft Hyper-V? Is it Hyper-V exclusively for a Server environment?
    • Yes, Hyper-V is targeting server environment
  • Will USB devices connect automatically with the real release of Windows Virtual PC? Currently it seems to be required to connect" the USB devices after the HOST OS restart."
    • The USB devices are automatically shared, but to use it for the VM, you need to attach it to the Windows XP Mode Virtual Machine.
  • Our agency uses a contracting major app that uses Citrix ICA32 as the client - I have not been able to install this in Windows 7 - it keeps complaining that is not compatible - is the XP Mode a solution or a different Citrix client
    • Windows XP Mode is a virtual copy of Windows XP SP3. So, it has nothing to do w/ Citrix client. The key question is the virtualization stack used to run Windows XP Mode. In the case of Windows Virtual PC, it does utilize RAIL capability. The best way to know is to test it with on Windows XP Mode.
  • If a pc is shared in a corporation, say 3 people use it, do i need to buy 3 Windows XP Mode licenses or its included?
    • No. Windows is a device based license.
  • Will the Windows Virtual PC RTM support x86 and x64 as guest OS? Or only x86?
    • 32bit guest OS only
  • Do programs in Windows XP Mode have access to 3D graphics?
    • Windows XP Mode is just a virtual copy of Windows XP SP3. It depends on the virtualization stack one uses. And in the case of Windows Virtual PC, 3D graphics is not supported.
  • In XP Mode- is there a way to do a P2V conversion for the XP Mode VHD then publish" applications into the W7 UI- start menu > Virtual Windows XP"
    • Today we don't offer P2V capability in Windows Virtual PC, please check System Center products for this capability. However, once in the VM they are options to publish the apps onto Windows 7 Start Menu.
  • Windows XP Mode in Win7 allows you to bring an XP app icon/link to the Win7 desktop -- is this feature available with an XP OS installed on Windows Virtual PC or is it something native to XP Mode?
    • This is native to Windows XP Mode.
  • What if I install new Virtual PC on Windows Vista? Can I use all the stuff?
    • Windows Virtual PC is a new optional component of Windows 7, and it is not supported on Windows Vista as a host OS.
  • Can the XP Mode be deployed with SCCM OS Deployment?
    • For IT managed environments - we recommend MED-V
  • Since Win 7 Pro includes XPM and an XP license then if using MED-V instead then we also don't need an XP license, correct?
    • Windows 7 Pro allows you to use Windows XP Mode (which is a virtual machine of Windows XP SP3). The use rights are granted by Windows XP Mode itself. Windows 7 Professional does not provide you a license of Windows XP. If you have MED-V, they you must have SA, which provides you 4 VM rights of any versions of Windows supported in VL.
  • Any thoughts on how Intel vPro can enhance an XP Mode scenario?
    • Windows XP Mode is a virtual copy of Windows XP SP3. Today, Microsoft's virtualization stack to run Windows XP mode, Windows Virtual PC, requires Intel VT or AMD-V to run.
  • They just mentioned App-V on Terminal Server....does it make sense to run MED-V on a Terminal Server for Thin-client access?
    • No - MED-V does not run on server environments
  • What are benefits of manifests over shims? As a tester, package engineer (not a developer), what is the simplest way to create manifests and avoiding shim?
    • A manifest simply sets flags for the loader, and for UAC you can set the exact same flags using a shim database. My recommendation is always this: if you are the developer, use manifests and code changes; if you are an IT Pro, use shim databases. Changing a manifest invalidates the digital signature on a file, disables many in-box application compatibility solutions, and can be overruled by a shim database anyway (the IT Pro always gets the final say).
  • Are we Springboard Overboard" with virtualization? Is the preoccupation with virtualization an example of "If your tool is a hammer
    • We try not to go the "everything is a nail" route, and have been presenting multiple options for addressing application compatibility (shims, configuration changes, etc.) - the real precision instrument is code changes, but that's also unfortunately the most expensive option, so we like to lay out what the alternatives are and how they may fit in to your organization.
  • In what ways is Microsoft making virtualization easier for their customers to know what type of virtualization to use?
    • Offering sessions like this one. :-)
  • What do you do when applications need to coexist and interact? Do you sequence then together in the same APP-V package?
    • You can, but Dynamic Suite Composition means you no longer have to (and I think it's better to have the individual building blocks where you can in many cases)
  • Been using Windows 7 for a few months now, it seems to not play nicely with Adobe products... Has this been addressed? (Also issues with internal wireless cards in laptops)
    • We work closely with Adobe on any issues we find, and have a strong partnership with them on application compatibility. There remain some issues, and in-box compatibility solutions (such as FaultTolerantHeap) can help. I have also worked with their test organization to give them some of our best practices for detecting application compatibility issues further upstream. They also have a very mature error detection and reporting mechanism (technology and people) to capture these issues and address them.
  • When an application launches in XP Mode, the XP Mode VM closes, does this imply that the XP mode host is not vulnerable to malicious code etc.??? What is the likelihood of exposure to security vulnerabilities?
    • This isn't a security feature, it's just a technical limitation. We aren't simultaneously rendering a region-trimmed window with an untrimmed one. Technically it's likely possible, but it would be a very strange UX to see two windows moving around as you drag one around.
  • In relation to Windows 7 what is the approved method of opening file permissions when repackaging applications?
    • There's no change in the methods of doing so really. However, with file and registry virtualization and UAC shims, you may be able to decrease or even eliminate the need to lower the security posture of your system by doing this, and the application ecosystem is catching up so these mitigations are needed less frequently all the time.
  • Do Visual Basic 6 compiled applications need to be shimmed under Windows 7?
    • Not just because they are VB6 applications. Most of them work perfectly well. The biggest challenge is that you are dealing with applications that could be up to 11 years old (VB6 was released in 1998) and designed when the world was a very different place (particularly with regards to security). The most common issues I come across are with file and registry permissions, since in 1998 many developers were either using Windows 98 or else running as local administrator.
  • Like just said if you launch in XP mode you are admin...in Vista and Windows 7 it is said Administrators are still treated as standard users. Does XP elevate to a true admin i.e no prompts to continue?
    • XP does not have UAC, so you never see a prompt. The notion of the split token was brand new in Windows Vista, and will not be retrofitted to Windows XP.
  • Why would XP mode be vulnerable if configured with not NIC? Why would you need AV, Patching, etc??? How would it be vulnerable?
    • If you are completely disconnected and never introduce code or data to the machine, then your state is known and you never need to scan for additional changes since nobody can get there to change things. Similarly, a Windows 3.11 computer sitting in a concrete enclosure, turned on but connected to nothing, is just as secure as a Windows 7 computer. However, most people do connect XP to a network, and therefore they are exposed to threats many would like to guard against.
  • Once I install XP Mode is that going to install a separate VM running with Windows XP? Will I be able to access all my application in Win7 from XP Mode and vice versa?
    • They are two separate operating systems, with two separate file systems. The guest knows nothing of the host, but the host can tell the guest to please launch an application.
  • Does XP Mode need to be joined if using in a domain to access domain shares
    • Yes it does.
  • Where can I find more info on App-V?
  • Does SCCM have functionality to deploy applications to the Windows XP mode VM? Does the VM has to be switched on, can this process be automated?
    • Windows XP Mode or MED-V VMs can be joined to the domain, and applications can be deployed with SCCM. VM has to be switched on for that.
  • Can you talk about UAC on Windows Server 2008 R2? Applications break too!
  • How`s XP Mode different from an installation of Windows XP on Virtual Pc??? It seems to me to be same technique with a different name
    • Indeed - Windows XP Mode IS a preinstalled Windows XP VM , running on Windows Virtual PC
  • Will you continue XP lifecycle for support XP Mode?
    • The Windows XP life cycle will not change.
  • Is there a way around using a volume license for MED-V?
    • MED-V is sold as part of MDOP. MDOP is available to purchase as a subscription to all customer who purchase a Windows Client SA/EA
  • Is App-V the same as SoftGrid?
    • Yes - App-V is the Microsoft name for SoftGrid
  • Is there going to be any changes to licensing in APP-V (SoftGrid). Right now its is pretty complicated.
    • There are no plans to change the licensing. Currently there are three ways to purchase.
      • App-V for Desktops is available via Software assurance.
      • App-V for Terminal Services was previously a separate offering but is not included in the Windows Server 2008 R2 CAL
      • App-V for Hosters is an offering that is available for Outsourcers and Hosters who want to deliver applications as a service.
  • One of the compatibility mitigation is said to install the app on the Windows XP VM, and create a shortcut on the Windows 7 machine. Can you explain on this?
    • With VPC for Windows 7 you can create shortcuts available for all users in the Windows XP virtual machine, then that will appear in the start menu of the Windows 7 host and can be made a shortcut within the host.
  • If I install XP Mode on Win7, can I continue to host many existing Virtual PC 2007 VPCs? Does Windows Virtual PC upgrade and replace Virtual PC 2007?
    • They will not be able to run simultaneously
  • Is Microsoft Office AppV compatible?
  • Will active directory tools work in XP Mode?
    • Yes
  • What is the OS licensing implications of running windows 7 and XP Mode (in effect another XP OS) when you do need to connect the XPM to a domain. Do both OS`s need licensing as separate products.
    • The Windows XP OS license is part of Windows 7 Professional license. You don`t need any additional CAL (Client Access Licenses) to connect the PC to the domain for using the XP VM
  • MDOP is great. But if a PC isn`t on SA, how can that be done later? Does Windows have to be licensed again but with SA?
    • You can purchase Windows SA after the purchase of the PC - in this case you don`t have to purchase a full version of the Windows OS again (assuming it was purchased with the PC). One point to take into account is that you can only purchase Windows SA for a PC if the system is licensed with a business or professional version of Windows
  • Can you load packages from SCCM to App-V?
    • App-V only distributes virtual applications. SCCM delivers physical AND virtual. The virtual application is created using the App-V Sequencer independently from the infrastructure that delivers it. Once created is can be used by SCCM or App-V
  • Should App-V be used to stream apps to the virtual containers, or to the host OS?
    • App-V can be used to stream to the host OS or to the VPC. Both require the App-V client is installed
  • Is there a step-by-step guide for App-V setup?
  • Does the light App-V infrastructure Support both streaming and stand-alone virtualization?
  • Is there a step by step guide to setup Med-V?
    • You can download the software and documentation for evaluation at MSDN/TechNet subscriber site. There will be a quick start guide available in two weeks at http://microsoft.com/technet/mdop
  • To be clear, running MED-V(running XP) on the XP platform will require an additional OS license?
    • No - not if the host PC is licensed with Windows SA with includes the additional OS licenses for virtualization (on the same system)

Special thanks to:
MDOP: Ran Oelgiesser and Karri Alexion-Tiernan
XP Mode- Fei Lu and Brett Pollen
All Up - Chris Jackson and Jeremy Chapman

For more information visit:

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