XP to DIE HARD--No "Virtualization" Solution.

[MegalosSkylaki]

Even though Windows 8 is just a few months away from formal release, most businesses -- about 70 percent, in fact -- are still running Windows XP. And while Windows 7 has been available for nearly two years, fewer than half of businesses have switched to it. Most plan to deploy Windows 7 this year or next, now that it has had a service pack and user familiarity has grown through home installations. Plus, the April 2014 end of formal Microsoft support for XP has become a convenient deadline for many IT shops to make the switch to Windows 7.

From>>>

Latecomer's guide to deploying Windows 7 | Microsoft Windows - InfoWorld

Microsoft: MED-V Not a Cure for Windows XP End-of-Life
• By Kurt Mackie
• July 31, 2012
Microsoft warned organizations this week that its Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) product won't help them escape Windows XP's expiring lifecycle support.

MED-V, a desktop virtualization technology that's part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP), is typically used to run Windows XP in a virtual machine on Windows Vista- or Windows 7-based PCs -- principally to support older applications. However, product lifecycle support for the aging Windows XP is firm: "Extended support," including the delivery of free security updates, ends on April 8, 2014

"No MDOP solution extends or affects the Windows XP Lifecycle end-of-life date for support," a Microsoft blog post on Sunday explained. "That date is firm and will not change. April 8, 2014 -- as per the reference here."

After that date, Windows XP will be considered "unsupported" in Microsoft's parlance and new security exploits just won't get patched via the Windows Update system. Microsoft's blog post apparently was addressing some customer confusion on this matter. The confusion may arise because the extended support phase for MED-V v. 2 will end on April 13, 2021. Microsoft plans to eventually phase out MED-V, as announced in June.

Microsoft: MED-V Not a Cure for Windows XP End-of-Life -- Redmond Channel Partner


The MS Blog this is based on is >>>
How MED-V Affects Windows XP End-of-Life Support Policy (It Doesn’t.) - The Mad Virtualizer at Microsoft - Site Home - TechNet Blogs



If I understand this correctly, Microsoft will still support its Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) which allows users to run Vista and Win7 as XP for applications designed for XP. However, it will be suipporting the product--whatever that means in this context--to the same level as Win XP is unsuppported as of its end-date in 2014 for security patches etc. Hence, while MED-V will have the benefit of security patches for itself, the level of security of WIN XP to which it is "virtualized" will be the in-secure and un-supported Post end-date version of XP.

Get it?


Maybe I'm wrong about my interpretation and would be happy to be corrected.
Or maybe its correct.

MegalosSkylaki

[GroundZero3]

Die already!

[Taxmancometh]

XP forever!

[MegalosSkylaki]

As I understand it, MED-V is more of an IT solution.

The home office or casual user solution is XP Mode, which allows programs to be run ad hoc within an XP window within Vista or Win7--but not Win7 Home Premium. This is one of the advantages of Win7Pro. Of course, I don't see how this would help users who only have XP installed as OS and are faced with an end-date, but it was intended to help users with older software that didn't run under Win7. This would be of interest to those who switch from XP to Win7 and have older software that works best under XP.

Install and use Windows XP Mode in Windows 7

MS sugggests that if XP mode doesn't work within Win7 to try a special update but only if Win7 has failed in XP Mode.


Why am I receiving errors about hardware-assisted virtualization (HAV) when I try to use Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC?


I suspect there will be a run on Win7 software as many people become emotionally attached to their computers after years of using them and time and money invested in various upgrades.

If I remember correctly, initially the upgrade version software was only for Vista , while an XP to Win7 required a Full and more costly package. I believe that was changed later to allow upgrade pack from XP to Win7. Not sure at this point so check what pack you need if you are contemplating a change from your version XP to Win7. I suppose some people will contemplate change to Win8 and there is still about 20 months before the End-Date for XP Support.

MegalosSkylaki

[MegalosSkylaki]

Win8 will arrive with its own Virtualization Mode called HYPER V, which requires a 64-bit setup and 4 Gs of memory, and will be available in the desktop OS Win8Pro. This will also support XP as well as Vista and Win7 if I understood it correctly.

Gee, virtual machines on my laptops!

Windows 8 Client Hyper-V


Client Hyper-V is the same computer virtualization technology previously available in Windows Server. In Windows 8 Consumer Preview, and on release in Windows 8 Pro, the technology is built in. These non-server versions of Windows are often called the “desktop” version because it does not run on server-class hardware. A similar functionality to Client Hyper-V in Windows 7 is called XP Mode with Virtual PC and is available as free download (Download Windows XP Mode ).

The free server version of the Hyper-V technology is called Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 and is available for download (Download Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) ). Client Hyper-V provides the same virtualization capabilities as Hyper-V in Windows Server 8. IT professionals, developers, teachers, learners and security researchers will welcome the capabilities available in the past only when running the Windows Server operating system on desktop machines.

For more information see: Bringing Hyper-V to “Windows 8� - Building Windows 8 - Site Home - MSDN Blogs and Developing and testing on Windows 8 with Hyper-V | BUILD2011 | Channel 9

To understand the architecture of Hyper-V watch this short video Download: Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V Component Architecture (with Service Pack 1) - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

MegalosSkylaki

[GroundZero3]

Hrm built in virtualizaton without having to purchase a third party software? Sounds awesome to me! Great for troubleshooting and helpdesk!