Zinstall XP7
Zinstall XP7 is a migration software by Zinstall, Inc., which migrates user PCs to Windows 7 or other Windows operating systems. The software allows a user to migrate a PC to Windows 7 while keeping applications, settings and data intact. Once the migration is complete, the user has a virtualized "old PC desktop" on his Windows 7 machine (runs simultaneously, not a dual boot). The old desktop presents a view similar to the PC that was migrated, with applications, settings and data. However, the applications are not running on the Windows 7 environment - but rather in the virtualized XP environment.
Overview
The product performs the migration over the network, and CREATES a VM-based environment on the target PC that presents an "old computer" view to the user - with applications, settings and data from the old computer. Software running in system tray allows switching between the old and new desktops, copying files and text, and exploring files. As with Microsoft XP Mode, migrated applications are running inside a virtual machine, addressing incompatibility issues - which are one of the top barriers to deploying Windows 7.
The software's name (XP7) reflects the possibility of upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7, an upgrade path not available from Microsoft and considered difficult to perform without considerable efforts.
Operation
Zinstall XP7 operation can be divided in two principal parts - the migration process itself, and the post-migration use of the resident software.
During the migration process, user data is captured from the source OS, and transferred to the Windows 7 environment. This is achieved by running the migration software on both systems, and choosing their respective roles when prompted by the application. To start the process, the user presses a "Go" button, which auto-detects the migrations settings. Should the user require any customizations to the migration process, an "Advanced" button is available, where migration sources and targets can be customized, and filters can be defined on the transferred data (i.e., skipping all archives and files larger than 100MB in size).
Once the migration is complete, another software runs in background in the Windows 7 environment. It presents a tray icon to the user, which is used to switch between the old and new desktops. Such tray icon is present in the virtualized desktop as well, to allow switching back to Windows 7 environment. The tray icon also allows to access other desktop's files on each of the desktops. The background software provides the ability to copy and paste files or text between the desktops.
The XP desktop consumes a small percentage of system resources only when it is actually used by the user. Otherwise, the XP system is turned off, and does not require additional resources.
The software installs a utility virtual network adapter on the Windows 7 system, similar to that of VMware Workstation.
Comparison with Microsoft XP Mode
Zinstal XP7 is frequently compared with Microsoft XP Mode, since both provide the ability to run Windows XP applications on Windows 7. XP mode is noted for being free and providing better inkjet support. Zinstall XP7 is noted for working on any Windows EDition (XP Mode only support Ultimate and Enterprise), not requiring hardware virtualization and making emphasis on user interface integration.