The Hardware-assisted virtualization (HAV) detection tool helps you check if your computer processor supports hardware virtualization. The tool also checks if this feature is enabled on the processor.

Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode, the latest virtual Windows XP environment for Windows 7 that allows you to run Windows XP from your Windows 7 desktop requires processors capable of hardware-assisted virtualization with AMD-V, Intel VT or VIA VT turned on in the BIOS.

To determine whether your PC works with Windows XP Mode:

Step 1. Does my PC have a CPU with support for hardware virtualization?

• Download and run the Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool
  • If you receive the message “This computer does not have hardware-assisted virtualization,” your computer does not meet the hardware requirement for Windows Virtual PC
  • If you receive the message “Hardware-assisted virtualization is not enabled on this computer,” go on to Step 2 below.
  • If you receive the message “This computer is configured with hardware-assisted virtualization,” download and install Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode.

Step 2. Does my PC BIOS support hardware virtualization, and is it turned on? Instructions to turn on hardware virtualization in your PC BIOS are specific to OEM models. Visit Windows Virtual PC Configure BIOS on how to enable hardware virtualization in the BIOS.

The screenshot above shown if your computer has a HAV capable processor and this feature (HAV setting) is enabled on the processor (from the BIOS). You can install Windows Virtual PC or Windows XP Mode on the supported Windows 7 edition.