Hardware-Assisted Virtualization (HAV) Detection Tool Free Download

More and more virtualization product or solution such as VMWare Workstation and Windows Virtual PC now requires Hardware Assisted Virtualization (HAV) CPU feature in order to function properly as allows a virtual machine hypervisor to run an unmodified operating system without incurring significant emulation performance penalties. The largest chip makers, Intel and AMD implement hardware assisted virtualization in their processors as Intel VT (VT-x) and AMD-V respectively. However, not all modern CPU has hardware-assisted virtualization capability built-in though.

For user who want to verify, check, determine or get to know whether his or her PC computer supports hardware-assisted virtualization, there is a software utility named SecurAble which able to display hardware virtualization support status as Yes, No, Locked On and Locked Off.

Microsoft has also released a application tool that able to detect status of Hardware-Assisted Virtualization (HAV) support on the computer system’s CPU microprocessor. Aptly named as Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool or simply as HAV Detection Tool, the utility can detect and check if the computer meets the processor requirements to run Windows Virtual PC, i.e. hardware-assisted virtualization.

Download HAV Detection Tool: havdetectiontool.exe

Using HAV Detection Tool is easy, just run the executable, and the results of whether hardware virtualization support is existed on the system or not (together with ability to install Windows Virtual PC) will be displayed on result dialog. It’s standalone program, thus no installation or uninstallation required.

Enable RemoteApp in Windows XP or Vista To Publish Programs to Windows 7

Windows Virtual PC in Windows 7 features an unique and useful feature which allows virtual applications installed on guest operating system of Windows XP or Windows Vista in the virtual machine to be seamlessly accessed and launched from host Windows 7 desktop as if it’s running on the end user’s local computer. Users can run programs from guest virtual machine side by side with local programs, with full ability to minimize, maximize, and resize the program window, and can easily start multiple programs at the same time.

The seamless applications integration of Windows 7 Virtual PC feature is utilizing RemoteApp technology from Terminal Services (TS). Microsoft includes RemoteApp feature into Windows Virtual PC for Windows 7 to provide application backward compatibility for some programs and software utilities that can only run in Windows XP or Windows Vista.

To convenient Windows 7 users who need to instantly get started running Windows XP productivity applications, Microsoft is providing pre-configured and pre-activated Windows XP virtual machine as in Windows XP Mode. However, some users or administrators may prefer to install their own operating system into the virtual machine as guest OS. In these cases, users who want to use the seamless applications integration feature can download KB961741 or KB961742 RAIL QFE update from Microsoft to enable RemoteApp.

Note that the patch will have to installed in Windows XP SP3 or Windows Vista SP1 or Windows Vista SP2 virtual machine running in Windows Virtual PC in Windows 7. It is is not required for Windows XP Mode image downloaded from Microsoft though, as it’s already been pre-configured.

Download RAIL QFE KB961741 for Windows Vista SP1 or above

Microsoft Download Center: Windows6.0-KB961741-x86.msu

Download RAIL QFE KB961742 for Windows XP SP3

Updated Version:
Microsoft Download Center: KB961742-v3.exe

Older Version:
Microsoft Download Center: KB961742-v3.exe

TechNet and MSDN: en_rail_qfe_for_windows_xp_sp3_x86_439642.exe

Workaround to Install Windows XP Mode in Windows 7 Home Premium and Home Basic

Windows XP Mode (XPM) is a pre-installed and pre-activated licensed copy Windows XP SP3 as guest OS virtual machine package for Windows Virtual PC. Microsoft provides Windows XP Mode as a mean to provide backward compatibility for legacy productivity software. In Windows XP Mode, a pre-installed RemoteApp integration components allow guest applications running within the virtualized environment to be integrated into host Windows 7 desktop, and appear as if running directly on the host, sharing the native desktop and Start Menu of Windows 7 as well as participating in file type associations.

Unfortunately, Windows XP Mode is only available free of charge to users of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions, as it’s widely considered as buy one free one deal, with a free licensed copy of Windows XP comes with Windows 7. However, Microsoft does provide Windows Virtual PC for every editions of Windows 7 except Windows 7 Starter edition.

Good news is that, according to MDL forum thread, in order to ensure that Windows XP Mode can be run properly without activation worry, Microsoft has embedded the necessary OEM:SLP (System Locked Pre-activation) string in the Windows Virtual PC’s BIOS so that offline OEM activation automatically activate Windows XP Mode. Thus, with the necessary OEM:SLP product key and OEMBIOS files, Windows 7 Home Basic and Windows 7 Home Premium users can manually install Windows XP on Windows Virtual PC guest virtual machine, and perform the steps in the hack below to create a Windows XP Mode with full integration features and functionality.

Tip: The guide can also be used any any editions of Windows 7 to create and install multiple or more than one activated Windows XP as Windows XP Mode with full integration features including seamless application publishing to host.

Hack to Manually Create and Install Windows XP Mode in Windows 7

1. Ensure that the computer is capable of running Windows Virtual PC, as Windows Virtual PC (and hence Windows XP Mode) required hardware-assisted virtualization. Microsoft also provides Hardware-Assisted Virtualization (HAV) Tool as free download to check the CPU capability.

   Tip: Hardware-assisted virtualization is supported on most CPU processors, but may have disabled or locked in BIOS. In this case, reboot into BIOS to change the setting.

2. Download and install Windows Virtual PC.

   Note: It’s impossible to download Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode from Microsoft Virtual PC homepage if user selects the operating system as 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic or Windows 7 Home Premium.

3. After installing Windows Virtual PC, browse to Windows Virtual PC folder by clicking on Start menu -> All Programs -> Windows Virtual PC -> Windows Virtual PC.

   A Windows Explorer window showing “Virtual Machines” folder will be opened.

4. Start the new virtual machine wizard by clicking on Create virtual machine button on the toolbar.
5. Enter a name for the new virtual machine, such as Windows XP, Windows XP SP3 or simply Windows XP Mode, and then click on Next button.
6. Specify a value for RAM setting, which allocate size of memory for the virtual machine. By default, it’s 512 MB, but a 256 MB should be enough for Windows XP. Then, click on Next.
7. Click on Create button to create the new virtual machine.
8. Insert a Windows XP setup installation CD into the CD/DVD drive disc tray (by default, Windows Virtual PC captures the physical drive for virtual machine to access).

   Alternatively, download Windows XP SP3 ISO, then right click on the VM, select Properties. Go to DVD Drive tab, select Open an ISO image and then browse to locate or specify the full path to the Windows XP ISO image. Click OK when done.

   Note: It’s recommended to use Windows XP Professional, which Windows XP Mode is based of.

9. Start the virtual machine to start the setup installation of Windows XP. Follow the screen instruction of the setup wizard to install Windows XP.

   Tip: It’s possible to bypass and skip entering a product key during installation of Windows XP SP3. Just leave the product key field blank, and continue with next step of installation after confirming the decision.

10. After installing Windows XP, click on the Tools menu on VM window, and select Install Integration Components to install Virtual PC Integration Components.

    Click on Continue if prompted with dialog to confirm action to install or update Windows Virtual PC Integration Components. Then follow on-screen instructions of the setup wizard to install the integration components.

11. Restart the virtual machine after installing integration components.
12. At the virtual machine’s Tools menu, and select Enable Integration Features, and then specify a user name and password as Windows Security credentials. Click Remember my credentials to let Windows Virtual PC saves the credentials for auto login.

    Note: User is required to specify a user account with a password set as the credentials to automatically log on to the virtual machine. To set a password for a user account, go to Control Panel -> User Accounts, select the user account that wants to use for integration components, and then click on Create a password to set the password.

13. In order to seamless application integration feature (which allow user to access and run virtualized program installed on virtual machine from host desktop) to work, KB961742 RemoteApp RAIL QFE update package need to be installed. Download and install KB961742 RemoteApp update package inside the Windows XP guest operating system in the virtual machine.
14. Virtual machine powered with Windows Virtual PC already has OEM:SLP string required for activating Windows XP with OEM activation. Unless you have a Windows XP OEM CD which allows converting Windows XP between retail, volume licensing and OEM channels, download the following package and program:

    Windows XP OEM BIOS Files for Microsoft: Microsoft-B4FFCA38.rar (Source)
    VLK and OEMBIOS Changer: OEMBIOS changer installer.exe (Source)

15. In the Windows XP guest OS, unpack the content of VLK to OEM Conversion Program (run OEMBIOS_changer_installer.exe) to a folder.
16. Then unpack the Microsoft-B4FFCA38.rar, and put the four files (oembios.bin, oembios.cat, oembios.dat, oembios.sig) into Uncompressed Oembios Folder of OEMBIOS changer.
17. Start the VLK to OEM Conversion Program (VLK_to_OEM) by running oem.exe.

    Note: Despite the name, the utility program supports changing of OEMBIOS files in retail, VLK and OEM version of Windows XP.

18. Press any key to continue from splash screen, then press 5 followed by Enter key to enter “OEMBIOS changer dialog” menu.
19. Press 3 and followed by Enter key to install the convert the installed Windows XP to OEM version, and install the required OEMBIOS files into the system.
20. Depending on the edition of Windows XP installed, select the appropriate Windows XP edition to convert by pressing the corresponding number key, followed by Enter.
21. On the last screen, press Y followed by Enter key to start the OEM conversion.
22. Answer Y followed by Enter key to restart the computer after the XP system is converted to OEM channel and OEMBIOS files are installed.
23. After Windows XP system is restarted, it will be automatically activated via OEM activation, as the VLK to OEM converter has also installed a generic Microsoft OEM product key into the system. However, for user who wants the new virtual machine to as identical to Windows XP Mode as possible, change the Windows XP product key to the following product key, which used in Windows XP Mode:

    K49H2-RPR94-QBGG4-DBCTM-YT64G

A virtual machine running Windows XP with full functionality and features of Windows XP Mode is now ready to be used. Here’s the method to check the activation status in Windows XP.

How to Check Windows XP Product Activation Status

Windows XP has less stringent Windows Product Activation algorithm compared with Windows Vista. For example, PC computers from branded OEM (original equipment manufacturer) is activated out-of-factory, and most hackers and pirates go for volume licensing (commonly known as VL or VOL) version of Windows XP Professional which when installed with a volume product key (VLK), does not require user to activate again online or by phone.

However, Windows XP does require product activation too. Doesn’t need (as in the case of when using OEM or VLK product key, which is instantly and automated activated) to perform steps to activate Windows XP doesn’t mean that Windows XP is not activated, and activated Windows XP is one of the requirement for the installed copy of operating system to be considered by genuine by Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) Validation Tool.

To check, view or verify the Windows XP current activation status, open Run command from Start Menu, and run the following command:

oobe/msoobe /a

A “Activate Windows” dialog window will open to let user know the activation status. If the Windows XP has been activated, the message is “Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit.”

Else, you will be asked to let’s activate Windows now, which means that the copy of Windows XP installation is not yet activated.

Enable RemoteApp in Windows XP or Vista To Publish Programs to Windows 7 Virtual PC Host with KB961741 or KB961742 RAIL QFE

Windows Virtual PC in Windows 7 features an unique and useful feature which allows virtual applications installed on guest operating system of Windows XP or Windows Vista in the virtual machine to be seamlessly accessed and launched from host Windows 7 desktop as if it’s running on the end user’s local computer. Users can run programs from guest virtual machine side by side with local programs, with full ability to minimize, maximize, and resize the program window, and can easily start multiple programs at the same time.

The seamless applications integration of Windows 7 Virtual PC feature is utilizing RemoteApp technology from Terminal Services (TS). Microsoft includes RemoteApp feature into Windows Virtual PC for Windows 7 to provide application backward compatibility for some programs and software utilities that can only run in Windows XP or Windows Vista.

To convenient Windows 7 users who need to instantly get started running Windows XP productivity applications, Microsoft is providing pre-configured and pre-activated Windows XP virtual machine as in Windows XP Mode. However, some users or administrators may prefer to install their own operating system into the virtual machine as guest OS. In these cases, users who want to use the seamless applications integration feature can download KB961741 or KB961742 RAIL QFE update from Microsoft to enable RemoteApp.

Note that the patch will have to installed in Windows XP SP3 or Windows Vista SP1 or Windows Vista SP2 virtual machine running in Windows Virtual PC in Windows 7. It is is not required for Windows XP Mode image downloaded from Microsoft though, as it’s already been pre-configured.

Download RAIL QFE KB961741 for Windows Vista SP1 or above

Microsoft Download Center: Windows6.0-KB961741-x86.msu

Download RAIL QFE KB961742 for Windows XP SP3

Updated Version:
Microsoft Download Center: KB961742-v3.exe

Older Version:
Microsoft Download Center: KB961742-v3.exe

TechNet and MSDN: en_rail_qfe_for_windows_xp_sp3_x86_439642.exe

Windows 7 Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode Official Direct Download Links

Windows Virtual PC (VPC) is a new version of Microsoft Virtual PC virtualization software designed specifically for Windows 7. By installing Windows Virtual PC, user can run more than one guest operating systems at the same time inside the virtual machines, or many productivity applications on a virtual Windows environment via RemoteApp, where Windows Virtual PC virtualizes its standard PC and associated hardware.

Together with Windows Virtual PC, Microsoft also releases Windows XP Mode, a virtual machine package for Windows Virtual PC containing a pre-installed, licensed copy of Windows XP SP3 as its guest operating system. Windows XP Mode is pre-installed with integration components and pre-configured to allow user to run the virtual machine immediately right after installed, to provide backward compatibility for legacy productivity software with seamless access from host desktop capability.

While Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode have leaked earlier, Microsoft has officially released Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode as final RTM version for public download, in conjuction with the official public release of Windows 7. Both Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode is available for download from official Windows Virtual PC homepage at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx or from Microsoft Download Center (Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode).

Here’s the direct download links to setup installer of Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode, useful for Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic x86 and x64, and Windows 7 Home Premium x86 and x64 users who are shown the error message of “You are not eligible to download Windows XP Mode. You must have Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate to run Windows XP Mode. To upgrade visit Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade” when trying to download Windows Virtual PC and/or Windows XP Mode, or, users who fail to pass Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation.

Windows Virtual PC Direct Download Links

32-bit (x86): Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu
64-bit (x64): Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu

Windows XP Mode Direct Download Links

English: WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe
Arabic: WindowsXPMode_ar-sa.exe
Chinese (Hong Kong): WindowsXPMode_zh-hk.exe
Chinese (Simplified): WindowsXPMode_zh-cn.exe
Chinese (Traditional): WindowsXPMode_zh-tw.exe
Czech: WindowsXPMode_cs-cz.exe
Danish: WindowsXPMode_da-dk.exe
Dutch: WindowsXPMode_nl-nl.exe
Finnish: WindowsXPMode_fi-fi.exe
French: WindowsXPMode_fr-fr.exe
German: WindowsXPMode_de-de.exe
Greek: WindowsXPMode_el-gr.exe
Hebrew: WindowsXPMode_he-il.exe
Hungarian: WindowsXPMode_hu-hu.exe
Italian: WindowsXPMode_it-it.exe
Japanese: WindowsXPMode_ja-jp.exe
Korean: WindowsXPMode_ko-kr.exe
Norwegian: WindowsXPMode_nb-no.exe
Polish (Poland): WindowsXPMode_pl-pl.exe
Portuguese (Brazil): WindowsXPMode_pt-br.exe
Portuguese (Portugal): WindowsXPMode_pt-pt.exe
Russian: WindowsXPMode_ru-ru.exe
Spanish: WindowsXPMode_es-es.exe
Swedish: WindowsXPMode_sv-se.exe
Turkish: WindowsXPMode_tr-tr.exe

Windows XP Mode N, KN and KN Edition Direct Download Links

Czech N: WindowsXPMode_N_cs-cz.exe
Danish N: WindowsXPMode_N_da-dk.exe
Dutch N: WindowsXPMode_N_nl-nl.exe
English N: WindowsXPMode_N_en-us.exe
Finnish N: WindowsXPMode_N_fi-fi.exe
French N: WindowsXPMode_N_fr-fr.exe
German N: WindowsXPMode_N_de-de.exe
Greek N: WindowsXPMode_N_el-gr.exe
Hungarian N: WindowsXPMode_N_hu-hu.exe
Italian: WindowsXPMode_N_it-it.exe
Norwegian N: WindowsXPMode_N_nb-no.exe
Polish N: WindowsXPMode_N_pl-pl.exe
Portuguese N (Portugal): WindowsXPMode_N_pt-pt.exe
Spanish N: WindowsXPMode_N_es-es.exe
Swedish N: WindowsXPMode_N_sv-se.exe
Korean K: WindowsXPMode_K_ko-kr.exe
Korean KN: WindowsXPMode_KN_ko-kr.exe

Windows 7 Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode Official Direct Download Links

Windows Virtual PC (VPC) is a new version of Microsoft Virtual PC virtualization software designed specifically for Windows 7. By installing Windows Virtual PC, user can run more than one guest operating systems at the same time inside the virtual machines, or many productivity applications on a virtual Windows environment via RemoteApp, where Windows Virtual PC virtualizes its standard PC and associated hardware.

Together with Windows Virtual PC, Microsoft also releases Windows XP Mode, a virtual machine package for Windows Virtual PC containing a pre-installed, licensed copy of Windows XP SP3 as its guest operating system. Windows XP Mode is pre-installed with integration components and pre-configured to allow user to run the virtual machine immediately right after installed, to provide backward compatibility for legacy productivity software with seamless access from host desktop capability.

While Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode have leaked earlier, Microsoft has officially released Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode as final RTM version for public download, in conjuction with the official public release of Windows 7. Both Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode is available for download from official Windows Virtual PC homepage at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx or from Microsoft Download Center (Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode).

Here’s the direct download links to setup installer of Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode, useful for Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic x86 and x64, and Windows 7 Home Premium x86 and x64 users who are shown the error message of “You are not eligible to download Windows XP Mode. You must have Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate to run Windows XP Mode. To upgrade visit Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade” when trying to download Windows Virtual PC and/or Windows XP Mode, or, users who fail to pass Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation.

Windows Virtual PC Direct Download Links

32-bit (x86): Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu
64-bit (x64): Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu

Windows XP Mode Direct Download Links

English: WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe
Arabic: WindowsXPMode_ar-sa.exe
Chinese (Hong Kong): WindowsXPMode_zh-hk.exe
Chinese (Simplified): WindowsXPMode_zh-cn.exe
Chinese (Traditional): WindowsXPMode_zh-tw.exe
Czech: WindowsXPMode_cs-cz.exe
Danish: WindowsXPMode_da-dk.exe
Dutch: WindowsXPMode_nl-nl.exe
Finnish: WindowsXPMode_fi-fi.exe
French: WindowsXPMode_fr-fr.exe
German: WindowsXPMode_de-de.exe
Greek: WindowsXPMode_el-gr.exe
Hebrew: WindowsXPMode_he-il.exe
Hungarian: WindowsXPMode_hu-hu.exe
Italian: WindowsXPMode_it-it.exe
Japanese: WindowsXPMode_ja-jp.exe
Korean: WindowsXPMode_ko-kr.exe
Norwegian: WindowsXPMode_nb-no.exe
Polish (Poland): WindowsXPMode_pl-pl.exe
Portuguese (Brazil): WindowsXPMode_pt-br.exe
Portuguese (Portugal): WindowsXPMode_pt-pt.exe
Russian: WindowsXPMode_ru-ru.exe
Spanish: WindowsXPMode_es-es.exe
Swedish: WindowsXPMode_sv-se.exe
Turkish: WindowsXPMode_tr-tr.exe

Windows XP Mode N, KN and KN Edition Direct Download Links

Czech N: WindowsXPMode_N_cs-cz.exe
Danish N: WindowsXPMode_N_da-dk.exe
Dutch N: WindowsXPMode_N_nl-nl.exe
English N: WindowsXPMode_N_en-us.exe
Finnish N: WindowsXPMode_N_fi-fi.exe
French N: WindowsXPMode_N_fr-fr.exe
German N: WindowsXPMode_N_de-de.exe
Greek N: WindowsXPMode_N_el-gr.exe
Hungarian N: WindowsXPMode_N_hu-hu.exe
Italian: WindowsXPMode_N_it-it.exe
Norwegian N: WindowsXPMode_N_nb-no.exe
Polish N: WindowsXPMode_N_pl-pl.exe
Portuguese N (Portugal): WindowsXPMode_N_pt-pt.exe
Spanish N: WindowsXPMode_N_es-es.exe
Swedish N: WindowsXPMode_N_sv-se.exe
Korean K: WindowsXPMode_K_ko-kr.exe
Korean KN: WindowsXPMode_KN_ko-kr.exe

Note that Windows Virtual PC requires hardware-assisted virtualization, where Microsoft provides HAV tool to check if system supports hardware-assisted virtualization.

To enable seamless integration of applications between guest and host operating system, RemoteApp update package has to be installed on virtual machine. In addition, Windows XP Mode only can be installed on Windows 7 Ultimate, Enterprise and Professional edition, but there is a hack to install Windows XP Mode on Windows 7 Home Premium and Home Basic.

The documentations for Windows Virtual PC is also available, namely Windows Virtual PC Tips (Windows Virtual PC Tips.pdf) and Windows Virtual PC Evaluation Guide (VirtualPC_Eval_Guide.doc)