Run Old Windows Apps in Vista... Finally!

Microsoft released a tool that will enable Windows Vista users to run older, incompatible applications. But with Windows 7 just around the corner, is Microsoft a little too late?

This entry over on the Official MDOP Blog website reports that Microsoft released MED-V 1.0 (Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization), the first product stemming from the company's acquisition of desktop virtualization vendor Kidaro back in May 2008. The arrival of MED-V could be considered as both a good thing and "a little too late," as the incompatibility problem has been a thorn in Microsoft's side since the company released Windows Vista

back in November 2006, souring the stomachs of corporations and homes alike. Many gamers, home office users and business executives have opted to avoid Windows Vista altogether, and wait for the newer operating system, Windows 7, scheduled to hit retail outlets later this year.

However, for now, MED-V seems to be the immediate solution to using legacy software, enabling Vista users to run the older, incompatible applications built for Windows XP and Windows 2000 within a virtual environment. But because the program is still in its beta stage, all applications may might not work correctly. Still, as the saying goes, "something is better than nothing."

"For those of us on the MED-V product team, our primary goal was to deliver an enterprise virtualization solution for the compatibility challenges that IT teams have with some of their line-of-business applications, during the upgrade to new operating systems (like Windows Vista)," says Ran Oelgiesser, a MED-V senior product manager. "With MED-V 1.0, you can easily create, deliver and centrally manage virtual Windows XP or 2000 environments (based on Microsoft Virtual PC 2007), and help your users to run legacy applications on their Windows Vista desktops. No need to wait for the testing and migration of those incompatible applications to complete."

Oelgiesser also mentioned that the final version of MED-V would not be available until the second quarter of 2009, and will be included in the upcoming Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack geared towards streamlining PC management and offering greater IT control of the desktop. The pack actually stems from a culmination of Microsoft virtualization acquisitions -its mission to alleviate incompatibilities and enable user productivity anywhere- including companies such as AssetMetrix, DesktopStandard, and Winternals Software.

Although based on Windows Vista, Microsoft released Beta 1 of Windows 7 over the weekend to anxious consumers wanting a taste of the new operating system. The download servers immediately crashed, however, the company managed to get the system back up and running early Saturday morning. Mixed reports have surfaced since then, some heralding Windows 7 as the next greatest operating system, some hating its new interface and similarities to Windows Vista.

Hopefully, Windows 7 consumers will not need the use of MED-V as well.