And now.. onto the new Windows 7 XP Mode feature being introduced with the latest RC release. This new feature of Windows 7 relies on Microsoft’s Virtual PC virtualization technology and allows users who have investments in software which only runs on XP, a chance to runt he very same software on Windows 7. Clearly, it’s Microsoft’s attempt at removing obstacles from the Windows 7 upgrade path.

But the real question is – how does the current beta stack up? PC Magazine took the XP Mode feature for a test spin and found it to be a “mixed bag of clever programming, appalling kludges, missed opportunities, and challenges to the ingenuity of even the most experienced Windows user.”

Yikes.

I agree with the author of the article in that it would have been nice had Microsoft released a “classic mode” of sorts within Windows 7 – allowing users to run XP or older apps in they’re own container environment – yet seamlessly integrated with the Windows 7 desktop. I suppose using virtualization technology is an easier path for Microsoft in that it keeps the different systems separate to a certain degree (most of the work I’m guessing would be to bolt the Windows XP VM onto Windows 7 as opposed to the other way around).

sigh.. can’t have it all.

[Check it out]

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