XP Productivity Programs?

Topic

New Reply

I am looking into upgrading to Windows 7. I am currently using Vista Home Premium 32 bit on a Dell Dimension E521 which has a 64 bit processor. I think at this point in time I will go the 64 bit route as I believe 32 bit is going the way of 16 bit.

However, I’ve run into one thing I can’t seem to find the answer for, and that is what are XP Productivity Programs? I was thinking of just upgrading to Windows 7 Home Premium edition, but in their chart they say the Pro version will run XP Productivity programs. The problem here is I cannot for love nor money find out what they mean? I have come to the understanding that the XP Productivity Mode is a virual PC mode within Win 7. According to Dell and AMD, my machine will support it.

The big question is, do I want to spend the extra money for a Win 7 Professional version? Or even do I need it? Before spending any money on any upgrade, I want to know what is meant by XP Productivity Programs. I think I’m okay with the Home Premium, but I can’t swear to it.

ANyone here know the answer to this?

Reply | Quote

Replies

I believe they are refering to XP Mode, which will allow you to yun programs in XP mode that are incompatible with win 7. I guess the biggest question is do you have apps or hardware that will not work with Win 7. Check the Windows Compatibility Centerfor possibilities.

Reply | Quote

I believe they are referring to Virtual XP. I upgraded from Vista Ultimate (64bit) to Win7 Ultimate (64 bit). Ultimate and Pro have VXP and in my opinion is worth the extra money. I have a few 32bit programs that will not run on a 64 bit system. I worked around that problem with Vista by installing those programs on my laptop which ran XP. Now, I have those programs installed on my desktop running under VXP. It is not an ideal solution, but it works.

Reply | Quote

Hi Tom:

I was in the same boat as you when I upgraded to Windows7. A lot of 32 bit XP programs and I wasn’t sure whether or not to buy Windows 7 Home Premium or go for the Pro Version. I took a chance and went for the Home Premium. As it was a full version, not an upgrade, it had both 32 bit and 64 bit versions on the DVD. Anyhow, I have 32 bit on my desktop and 64 bit Win7 on my laptop. I never came across even one program that wouldn’t run on the 32 bit version and only one that wouldn’t run on the 64bit version and it was an OLD 16bit program. I think what I’m saying is, you don’t really need to spend a bundle of cash for Pro or Ultra because it is very likely that all your programs will run on the Home Premium version.

Reply | Quote

You can find the answer to most Windows 7 compatability questions at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/default.aspx

You can also Run the Windows 7 upgrade adviser (link in the middle of the page) on a PC that contains the XP programs you are concerned about.

Jerry

Reply | Quote