Parallels offers alternative to Windows 7 XP Mode

 

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Posted on 6 May 2009 at 10:06

Parallels is attempting to beat Microsoft at its own game, with the launch of a rival to Windows 7 XP Mode.

Microsoft is attempting to allay businesses' fears over legacy application compatibility with XP Mode, which allows users to install applications into a virtual version of Windows XP SP3. Once installed, the applications appear as normal Windows 7 programmes, essentially making the virtual OS invisible.

Parallels is aiming to take matters a step further with its rather prosaically titled "Solution for Windows 7 Migration Extended Beta Program".

The beta software will employ Parallels' Transporter technology to migrate a physical Windows XP installation - including data and installed apps - into a virtual machine on a Windows 7 PC. Users will be able to instantly access files and folders from across the different OSes, according to the company.

Parallels will also replicate Microsoft's XP Mode by allowing Windows 7 users to launch XP applications as if they were installed natively. This takes advantage of the company's Coherence technology, which already allows Mac users to run Windows apps from within Mac OS X.

The company is encouraging users to sign up for the beta software from the Parallels website.