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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

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Is there a way to put a Windows XP interface onto Windows 7?

A friend of mine, retired electrical engineer, is about 80 years old, with failing eyesight. Last month his computer died.

Of course, his new one has Windows 7. Totally different interface.

He knew his old XP box by heart. But he's overwhelmed with all the "new features" and "hidden controls" in 7. And his fuzzy vision really limits his ability to read all the pop up windows and warnings he's getting as he hunts and pecks his way through, just trying to use his email.

He's spending $60/hour for a high school student to show him Win7, but he's now spent nearly as much on "instruction" as he spent on the new computer.

For us young folks (!), a new interface isn't that big a deal. But not everyone has infinite patience and 20/20 vision.

Is there a magic "use XP desktop" button?

Thanks.
Tom
 
Not sure about "7" but my 80 year old mother bought a computer with Vista - we ended up putting XP on it - wasn't the easiest job ever - getting drivers was a bit of a challenge but not too hard either.
 
There is a way to run Windows XP in Windows 7. Download Window XP mode. I had to do this to beable to use my HP 650 plotter of the USB port this was the only way to keep using this.

Don
 
IIRC xp mode will only work if you have win 7 Professional or ultimate.

m
 
correct, Mark.

Try the right-click in an empty space on the desktop, then (and this is from memory, not in front of a 7 box) try a different "theme". One there is called "Classic". You can vary the font sizes and soforth once it is invoked. Good luck.
 
Thanks gents.

So am I reading you right? Installing "XP mode" on Win7 will give the user the "old" Start button, control panel, file explorer, toolbar, menus, etc?

Or are we just saying that XP mode allows Win7 to run <span style="font-weight: bold">Windows apps made for XP</span> correctly?

Edit: Preview install of Win8 now available from

https://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/consumer-preview

Tom
 
Xp mode will also limit the available memory. Because basically you run it inside a virtual machine. Maybe there is a setting to increase it...

To personalize it as Doc says right click an empty spot on the desk top and choose personalize. There are a couple of High contrast themes available. from there you can go to the "Ease of Access Center (left side, bottom). If you go to The "display option" you can set custom font sizes.


m
 
SilentUnicorn said:
Xp mode will also limit the available memory. Because basically you run it inside a virtual machine. Maybe there is a setting to increase it...

To personalize it as Doc says right click an empty spot on the desk top and choose personalize. There are a couple of High contrast themes available. from there you can go to the "Ease of Access Center (left side, bottom). If you go to The "display option" you can set custom font sizes.


m
Click to expand...

Thanks. As I've never seen anyone use XP mode in Win7, I'm still trying to figure out what the user interface is when you're in XP mode.

In XP mode, do you have the look/feel of the WinXP OS? Or is XP mode simply a way to run older XP apps more reliably (like "compatability mode" in XP)? My friend just wants to be able to use his memory and experience of how to start an app, configure items in Control Panel, add a printer, write an email, etc., as he did in XP.

Thanks.
Tom
 
Here is what XP mode looks like. You have to start win 7 to start xp mode. It is no where as smooth as an install of xp, least on my laptop...

Win 7 is not that big a leap from xp. Things are in slightly different places, and the look is different, but most of the stuff can be found easily.
 
SilentUnicorn said:
Here is what XP mode looks like. You have to start win 7 to start xp mode. It is no where as smooth as an install of xp, least on my laptop...

Win 7 is not that big a leap from xp. Things are in slightly different places, and the look is different, but most of the stuff can be found easily.
Click to expand...

Thank you sir. That's exactly what I was hoping to find out.

Thanks.
Tom
 
Last two computers, older one a tad over a year ago was ordered from Dell as a "businessman's special", supposed to have XP Pro loaded, 7 on a disc. Came with 7 loaded and no disc.
It immediately got XP Pro, no hesitation.

The latest one for me, oh, November, I think, mandated to the IT guy from my wife's work who got it for me, XP Pro.

Before I use Gates and Co for anything that requires money again, I do something else.

Dave
 
In 7Pro, the VM runs XP too slowly for my taste unless you have 8~12 Gig of RAM. Even then, feh.

I'd be for changing the desktop settings to be more readable and friendly to his taste.
 
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