Microsoft released an Update patch to remove mandatory HAV (Hardware Assisted Virtualization) requirements to run Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode.

When Windows 7 RC released, Microsoft also introduced the next iteration of Windows Virtual PC (aka Virtual PC) for Windows 7 along with Windows XP Mode, that requires a processor with hardware-assisted virtualization capabilities.

After 5 months of GA of Windows 7 RTM, Microsoft released an update patch for Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode to make them more accessible to PCs in small and midsize businesses who want to migrate to Windows 7. It removes the hardware-assisted virtualization requirements associated with Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC. So Windows XP Mode no longer requires HAV technology equipped CPUs to run. However Windows XP Mode still continues to use hardware virtualization technology such as Intel VT (Intel Virtualization Technology) or AMD-V if available.

The update available for download for the 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) flavors of Windows 7.

• All supported x86-based versions of Windows 7 Download this.
• All supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 Download this.

For more information on Windows XP Mode, including feature highlights etc…

• What is Windows XP Mode (XPM)?
• Does my processor support Hardware Virtualization?
• How to Install Windows XP Mode on Windows 7 or Enable XPM