Safety of XP Mode?

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I have XP Mode installed on my Win 7 PRO computer. It works great for a couple of indispensable DOS programs that I have, and will not work in Compatibility mode.

My concern is the vulnerability of XP Mode now that M’soft is shortly stopping all XP updates. Doesn’t that make XP Mode (and therefore the rest of the computer) just as vulnerable as a regular XP computer? I haven’t seen this addressed in any of the WindowsSecrets articles.

If it is vulnerable, are there other options? I have read the articles about VirtualBox. I ‘think’ I have my XP CD install disk, but the problems folks have with VirtualBox (as described in the comments to some of the articles) make me concerned about using it.

Incidentally, neither of the programs that I have installed in XP mode access the internet, if that makes any difference.

Harry

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I don’t know much about XP mode. As for virtual machine it would be best to not let them have internet access. If they do have internet access make sure you are running AV that is still supported. I would also use a third party firewall instead of the built in one. VMware has the free VMware Player.
Joe

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Since it is a VM and you do not need Internet access for that VM, just disable or do not enable network access. Then the only way it is vulnerable is by the same means you have, hands on in person.

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Since it is a VM and you do not need Internet access for that VM, just disable or do not enable network access. Then the only way it is vulnerable is by the same means you have, hands on in person.

I looked at my XP Mode, and currently it has access to both my Ethernet and wireless networks. Are you saying just remove those options? Will I still be able to access the hard drives on the Win 7 computer that XP Mode is installed on?

Internet Explorer is the only browser installed in XP Mode. Can I just change it’s settings or uninstall it in some way, and keep my network access?

Just looking for the best alternative.

Harry

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The problem lies mainly with internet access. If you don’t access the internet from XP, your risk will be diminished.

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Along with what Rui states, not having any shared folders on XP mode would make it quite difficult in my opinion to either initiate a virus with XP mode that spreads over the network OR contract a virus from another system on the network.

If you’re the only user then you can be perfectly circumspect in your behavior without disabling the virtual network adapter or even the browser but you can remove I.E. from view in Add/Remove Windows Components in Add/Remove Programs.

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Rui & F.U.N.:

Thanks for the good advice.

I think once I get XP Mode set up on my new computer, and install all the past M’soft Security fixes (for which I need IE), I’ll then delete IE. Then there can be no accidental mistakes. Leaving the Ethernet network connected (but not the wireless) will help if I need to move additional files for these old programs.

Harry

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Rui & F.U.N.:

Thanks for the good advice.

I think once I get XP Mode set up on my new computer, and install all the past M’soft Security fixes (for which I need IE), I’ll then delete IE. Then there can be no accidental mistakes. Leaving the Ethernet network connected (but not the wireless) will help if I need to move additional files for these old programs.

Harry

I don’t think you should delete IE (and I believe it may not even be possible to do that in XP). Rename the executable, if you will, though it would probably make more sense to use something that could prevent it from running (like a firewall).

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For DOS under Windows 7 (32 or 64) use DOSBox.com application DOSBox
Allows windowed mode and access to DOS files under Windows Explorer.
Caveat: Direct serial port calls are blocked by the operating system. Otherwist the programs will all operate normally.
Dump XP mode and use DOSBox instead.

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For DOS under Windows 7 (32 or 64) use DOSBox.com application DOSBox
Allows windowed mode and access to DOS files under Windows Explorer.
Caveat: Direct serial port calls are blocked by the operating system. Otherwist the programs will all operate normally.
Dump XP mode and use DOSBox instead.

I have some friends who use/used DOSBox with a DOS financial program that they & I use. There were some program featues that did not work under DOSBox, plus they all complained that it was VERY slow. None of them use it anymore. That is why I did not evaluate it. Perhaps for your applications, these issues do not exist.

Harry

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My concern is the vulnerability of XP Mode now that M’soft is shortly stopping all XP updates. Doesn’t that make XP Mode (and therefore the rest of the computer) just as vulnerable as a regular XP computer? I haven’t seen this addressed in any of the WindowsSecrets articles.

It is now: Is XP Mode — or any virtual XP PC — safe to use?

Bruce

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Bruce:

You said: ‘It is now: Is XP Mode — or any virtual XP PC — safe to use?’

Thanks for the heads up. I had not opened the April 3 issue until I got your note. There are some good links in Fred’s article.

Harry

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