If you have already downloaded and installed Windows 7 RC then you can use new Windows 7 feature “Windows XP Mode” from today. Note that your processor has to have hardware virtualization technology to run Windows XP Mode for Windows 7.

How to Install Windows XP Mode in Windows 7 RC?

1. Download the Windows Virtual PC Beta and Windows XP Mode Beta from Microsoft Virtual PC page.
2. Install the Windows virtual PC beta by following the simple on screen procedure and reboot your machine to see Virtual Windows XP entry in your Start menu.
3. Now, Double-click on VirtualWindowsXP.msi package to start Virtual Windows XP wizard and click Next to continue.
4. Select the installation destination for the XP mode. By default it will select the right one. So, simply click Next button.
5. You will see the XP mode installation process. It may take few minutes to complete the installation.
6. Once you complete the installation, Virtual Windows XP starts for the first time. Here you will see Virtual Windows XP license agreement. Accept the license agreement and click Next to continue.
7. In the following window, you need to enter a password for the account. You cannot leave the password field blank. In case, if you don’t like to enter the password each time, you can check the option Remember credentials to store the password.
8. Next you need to configure Windows XP for automatic updates.
9. Once you are done with the configuration, Windows XP mode is ready to use.

However when you will proceed for Windows 7 RC Download Page on Microsoft website you need to login with your Windows live ID to access download link and Windows 7 RC Activation Product keys in case you don’t have then create one from here.

If you do not want to create new Windows Live ID then here direct download links for Windows 7 RC which you can add in your favorite download manager and start downloading.

Download Windows 7 RC (x86) from Direct Download Link

Download Windows 7 RC (x64) from Direct Download Link