TechTips - Use the Hardware Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool and Verify Your CPU Can Support Virtualization

Windows 7 has something called Windows XP mode, this mode allows you to run older programs in Windows 7 that are supported on XP but not in Windows 7. The problem is not all CPUs are able to run in Windows XP mode, thus don't allow users to run their older programs in Windows 7. This can be a real pain for users when they think hey I can run all my old XP stuff in Windows 7 because it has XP mode. Now there is a simple to use tool to find out if your CPU can for sure run in XP mode, this will save you time, effort and headaches. In this guide I will explain how to get and install the tool and then how to run it, then you will know if your PC supports XP mode in Windows 7 and whether an upgrade is worthwhile (or if you have upgraded and your old programs won't work you will know why).

So first you will want to download the program from Microsoft, you can download it from this LINK.

Once you have the tool you will simply want to run the havdetectiontool.exe and the tool will check out your system and then give you a simple prompt telling you a simple yes your computer supports Hardware Assisted Virtualization or No it doesn't.

The tool also checks to see if your PC does support Hardware Assisted Virtualization and if the option is turned on\off in the BIOS. If the Hardware Assisted Virtualization is set to off in the BIOS the Detection Tool tells you that your PC does support Hardware Assisted Virtualization but that you must turn it on in the BIOS before the Hardware Assisted Virtualization will work properly.

So there are three messages you could possibly receive, first the dreaded NO Hardware Assisted Virtualization is not supported. This means if you were hoping to run a program that isn't yet Windows 7 compatible you are out of luck. I suggest if this is the case you get VMware Player (a free virtual machine) and install XP on it and use your programs that way. I actually wrote a guide (How to Install and Run Windows XP in Windows 7 for Free with VMware Player) on how to do this just click the link.

The second message is yes Hardware Assisted Virtualization is supported and its on and working. This means you should be able to install and run any most programs that worked in Windows XP without any problems or other configuration needed.

The last message you might get is Yes, Hardware Assisted Virtualization is supported but you need to enable it in your BIOS. I wish I could give you direct instructions on enabling this in the BIOS but with so many different PC's and types of BIOS out there I can't say (This is how YOU enable Hardware Assisted Virtualization on YOUR PC) and be entirely correct. I suggest if this is the case you look around your BIOS or Google how to enable Hardware Assisted Virtualization on (YOUR BRAND OF PC).

Well I hope this tool and guide help you to determine if your PC supports Hardware Assisted Virtualization.