We're going to install the Windows XP Mode virtual hard drive in VirtualBox. VirtualBox is a free app that allows you to run operating systems in a window. Install Windows XP Mode in a Virtual Machineīefore we completed the XP Mode virtual hard disk extraction, I asked you to download and install VirtualBox. Use the mapped drive on the virtual machine just as you would use a local drive or other shared folder.2. Map the drive on other network computers as needed. You can now access the mapped network drive in Windows Explorer in the host environment. Click and enable the “Reconnect at Logon” option. Alternatively, leave the default drive letter unchanged. The Map Network Drive window opens.Ĭlick the “Drive” drop-down list and select the drive letter for the new, mapped network drive. Right-click the shared drive folder that appears in the window, then click “Map Network Drive” on the popup menu. Double-click the icon for the virtual computer. A list of computers on the local network appears that includes the Windows XP Mode virtual machine. Close the “Network and Sharing Center” window.Ĭlick “Start” and select “Computer.” After Windows Explorer opens, click the “Network” link in the left navigation pane.
Turn on network discovery Turn on file and printer sharing Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can read and write files in the Public folders Turn off password protected sharingĬlick the “Save Changes” button in the “Change sharing options for different network profiles” window. Click “Start” and select “Control Panel.” In the Control Panel window, click “Network and Sharing Center.” In the next window that opens, click “Change Advanced Sharing Settings.” In the next window, enable the following options:
Select the device name of the network adapter installed in the computer and click “OK.” Wait a few seconds for XP Mode to reconfigure the adapter settings for the virtual machine and receive an IP address from your router or DHCP server.Ĭlick outside the Virtual XP desktop window to return to the Windows 7 environment. Click the drop-down list next to the “Adapter 1” label. Click the “Apply” button, then click “OK.” Wait a few seconds for XP Mode to configure the virtual hard drive for sharing on the network.Ĭlick “Tools” on the XP Mode window toolbar, and then click “Settings.” Click “Networking” in the Setting list. Replace the default “C” value with “XPModeCDrive” or something similar.Ĭlick and enable the “Allow network users to change my files” option. Type a descriptive name in the “Share Name” field. Click the link labeled “If you understand the risk but still want to share the root of the drive, click here.” The “Sharing” tab appears in the “Local Disk (C:) Properties” window.Ĭlick the link for “If you understand the security risks but want to share files without running the wizard, click here.” After the Enable File Sharing window opens, click “Just enable file sharing" and click “OK.”Ĭlick and enable the “Share on the Network” option. Again, if you have already installed and configured Windows XP Mode on your computer, you will not see the step.Ĭlick the “Start” button on the Virtual XP desktop, and then click “My Computer.” Right-click the “Local Disk (C:)” icon, and click “Sharing and Security” on the popup menu. Depending on the speed of your computer, this may take from a few seconds up to a few minutes. Wait for Windows 7 to configure XP Mode for its initial use and launch the virtual XP desktop. If you have already configured Windows XP Mode on your computer, you will not see this step.Ĭlick the “Start Setup” button if prompted in the “Setup will share the drives on this computer with Windows XP Mode” window. Retype the password in the “Confirm Password” field and click the “Next” button.
Accept the license agreement if promptedĮnter a password for the default XP Mode user.
Click “Start” and select “All Programs.” In the list of program folders, click "Windows Virtual PC," then click "Windows XP" mode.