Fix Virtual Windows XP Mode VHD Cannot Install or Attach in Windows 7 Error

When installing Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode in Windows 7, the installation may halt with the following error messages:

“The file could not be written.”
“Virtual hard disk could not be attached to the virtual machine. Please check the values provided and try again.”.

The error happens even though the computer hardware specifications have met the system requirements of Windows 7, including those specifically required for Windows Virtual PC, i.e hardware-assisted virtualization (test CPU for VT support).

The root cause of the problem while attempting to install and run Windows 7 Virtual XP Mode lies on Kaspersky Internet Security and Kaspersky Anti-virus or other similar security problem, which over zealously tries to protect the PC from unknown or potentially malicious application activities. In the case of Kaspersky, the Application Activity Analyzer proactive feature is likely causing the Windows XP Mode to fail to install or its virtual machine from running.

To fix the Windows XP Mode (XPM) setup error in Windows 7 for users who use the Kaspersky security product, try to disable the detection and scanning of Hidden Object in the Application Activity Analyzer or Proactive Defense setting (depends on version of Kaspersky). Windows XP Mode should be able to install properly after the setting is applied.

A more generic solution is to disable Kaspersky or any anti-virus solution installed on the system, and then reinstall Virtual Windows XP Mode. Windows XP Mode should install perfectly now. After installation completes, re-enable the anti-virus protection, and it won’t interfere with the working of Windows XP Mode.


This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 at 12:13 am and is filed under Windows 7. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2 Responses to “Fix Virtual Windows XP Mode VHD Cannot Install or Attach in Windows 7 Error”

  1. Terry
    September 3rd, 2009 04:19
    2

    I don’t have Kaspere and never have… or any other kind of AV program.. and I still get this error… I have tried at least 6 times. It won’t take the registration key that Microsoft gave me with win 7.. i have to press enter with no key to get past that screen. Something is bad wrong because when I google this problem I find a lot of people have this problem. This was the only possible solution I have found and it doesn’t apply to my setup.

  2. Net Meeting in Windows 7 « ร ะ บ า ย อ า ร ม ณ์
    July 27th, 2009 18:55
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    [...] http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/05/19/fix-virtual-windows-xp-mode-vhd-cannot-install-or-attach-in... [...]

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