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Windows 7 Virtual Mea Culpa

I may have been wrong, very wrong about Windows 7. I interviewed dozens of Windows 7 beta testers, and no one said a word about a virtual XP compatibility mode. When I suggested that Microsoft give Windows 7 a virtual layer to mimic or even fully include XP, it wasn't an entirely original thought; some analysts, including from Gartner, made a similar argument.

Apparently, behind the scenes, Microsoft felt the same way. Word is now leaking out that at least some versions of Windows 7 will run XP apps in this virtual compatibility box.

Turns out, I wasn't such a dunce, as none of the test versions have this feature. It's strange that something of such significance would show up so late. And there's another worry, at least according to Redmond magazine columnist Mary Jo Foley: It may be that the XP Mode will only be for Software Assurance customers. Well, they should get something sweet for all that dough!

Posted by Doug Barney on April 29, 2009


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