coopster - 1:57 pm on Mar 12, 2010 (gmt 0)

Thanks bill. Before posting I had visited the link you mentioned there but my OS wasn't listed and besides, the expiration notices turned me off ...

Expires April 1, 2010 ... Expires 120 days after first run

Not worth installation effort. So I figured I would ask the community for better options. After posting and searching I landed on Microsoft's Virtual PC page, which you mentioned. However, I need to add that although I am running Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, my machine did not come with Windows XP Mode built in. Not until I downloaded and installed Virtual PC and XP mode [microsoft.com] was this option available.

There are four steps [microsoft.com] and the second is quite important because Microsoft Windows Virtual PC requires processors capable of hardware-assisted virtualization with AMD-V, Intel VT or VIA VT turned on in the BIOS. MS has made it a simple check for you by providing an executable. Oh, by the way, I had to visit the site using Internet Explorer in order for anything to run and download properly.

The top of the download page includes a link to support videos. They are short and informative.