The goal of offering Windows XP RC is to make it remove a barrier to upgrading by making it easier for consumers using applications designed for older versions of Windows to continue using them with Windows 7. The software now works with the RC and RTM versions of the Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise SKUs.

Last Mile Compatibility

Brandon LeBlanc, a Windows communications manager at Microsoft, said Windows 7 has a strong compatibility story with Windows Vista, and many applications that currently run on Windows XP-based or Windows Vista-based PCs should run natively on Windows 7 -- allowing users to take advantage of the better performance, better management and better security built into Windows 7. In most cases, Microsoft recommends running applications natively in Windows 7.

"Windows XP Mode provides what we like to call that 'last mile' compatibility technology for those cases when a Windows XP productivity application isn't compatible with Windows 7," LeBlanc said. "Users can run and launch Windows XP productivity applications in Windows XP Mode directly from a Windows 7 desktop."

That said, LeBlanc also strongly recommended customers install anti-malware and antivirus software in Windows XP Mode so the Windows XP Mode environment is well protected. For customers that manage several Windows PCs running Windows XP Mode and want to simplify management tasks, Microsoft offers Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) as part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack.

Windows XP RC Features

Microsoft first launched the Windows XP Mode software in beta in April. Based on user feedback, the RC mode has several upgrades from the beta version. For example, users can now attach USB devices to Windows XP Mode applications directly from the Windows 7 taskbar. Users can also access Windows XP Mode applications with a "jump list."

Other improvements include more flexibility where Windows XP Mode differencing disk files are stored, the ability to disable drive sharing between Windows XP Mode and Windows 7, and an initial setup that now includes a new user tutorial about how to use Windows XP Mode.

"Our customers expect their applications to simply work, regardless of their selected operating system . Windows XP Mode provides them with the confidence to migrate to Windows 7 while maintaining access to mission-critical applications," said Michelle Pearcy, director of global software marketing at Dell. (continued...)

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