Desire a free copy of Windows XP? It'southward possible using a virtual machine. This article explains how.

Windows XP is sometime, and Microsoft no longer provides official support for the venerable operating organisation. But despite the lack of support, Windows XP is withal running on millions of computers worldwide. Why are people still using Windows XP? Mostly due to piece of work, research, or amusement.

Finding a re-create of Windows XP isn't piece of cake. Finding some hardware to run it on is just every bit difficult. That's why the best option is to install Windows XP on a virtual machine so you can go along it on hand at all times. Here's how you do it!

Is Windows XP Actually Available for Free?

For a long time, Microsoft provided Windows XP Manner, a full version of XP that runs inside Windows vii. However, most of us have long since moved on from Windows 7, making this compatibility gear up... well, a little unhelpful.

Unfortunately, Microsoft has since removed the option to download Windows XP Mode direct. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean you're out of luck, and you tin utilize the Windows XP Mode download link below to catch a copy.

Earlier continuing with this Windows XP Way tutorial, you need a few things:

  1. Download and install the latest version of VirtualBox.
  2. Download and install a file archive tool. This tutorial uses 7-Zip.
  3. A copy of Windows XP Manner (run into below).

1. Download Windows XP Mode Virtual Hd

Download the Windows XP Mode virtual hard disk.

When it completes, don't install information technology yet!

Instead, browse to the executable, then right-click and select vii-Zip > Open archive > cab from the context card.

windows xp mode extract files

This immediately opens the executable in 7-Zip for you lot to have a poke around. In that location are three files:

windows xp mode files sources

OpenSources to reveal another 3 files:

windows xp mode xpm sources

Double-click xpm. This is the XP Mode virtual hard bulldoze folder. It should look the same as the image below:

windows xp mode full file list

These are the files you need to create the XP Way virtual difficult disk. Unfortunately, they're Archive files and not executable files, meaning they're currently Read-simply.

You need to extract these files to a new binder.

Select Excerpt from the toolbar, then printing the ellipsis icon next to the address bar. Browse to where yous'd similar to extract the files—your C: drive is fine—and select Make New Folder.

I've called my folder "Windows XP Fashion," only the choice is yours. When you're ready, press OK, and so OK again to starting time the extraction procedure. This tin can take a minute or 2.

Head to the folder you created when the extraction process completes. You'll see the same list of files. The difference is that you can now edit these files as y'all see fit.

Select the file named VirtualXPVHD. Press F2 to rename. Insert a menstruum between the "P" and the "5," and press Enter, now readingVirtualXP.VHD. The file should immediately alter into a virtual hard disk and the icon to kicking.

ii. Install Windows XP Mode in a Virtual Car

Earlier we completed the XP Mode virtual hard disk drive extraction, I asked you to download and install VirtualBox. VirtualBox is a free app that allows you lot to run operating systems in a window.

Nosotros're going to install the Windows XP Fashion virtual hard drive in VirtualBox.

  1. Open VirtualBox. Select New.
  2. At the bottom of the Create Virtual Machine window, select Expert Style (if your window shows an pick for Guided Fashion, yous're already using Practiced Fashion).
  3. At present, give your virtual auto a suitable name. If yous include "XP" in the virtual motorcar name, the Version will automatically alter to reverberate that. Even then, double-check the Version is Windows XP (32-bit).
  4. Assign the virtual machine some memory. Memory is a shared resource, pregnant both the host (your PC) and the guest (the virtual machine) utilise it meantime. Luckily, Windows XP is old and doesn't require buckets of RAM to run. I would suggest assigning a minimum of 512 MB (but you won't demand more than 2048 MB).
  5. Finally, you need to assign the virtual hard disk we extracted from the Windows XP Mode executable earlier. Nether Hard disk, select Use an existing virtual hard deejay file. Then, striking the folder with the green arrow. Browse to the folder nosotros extracted our files to, select VirtualXP, then Open.

When you're washed, your new virtual auto setup should wait like this:

windows xp mode virtual machine settings

Okay? Hitting Create.

three. Windows XP Mode Deejay Settings

Before you kicking up your shiny new Windows XP virtual machine, you need to tweak a few settings.

On the VirtualBox toolbar, pressSettings.Head toSystem. Look at theBoot Club. UncheckFloppy, and motility information technology downwardly the list. PromoteHard Disk to the top of the pile. Simply like your host PC, the virtual car has a specific boot order. You demand the virtual hard disk drive at the top of the listing, so it boots first:

windows xp mode virtual machine motherboard settings

Under Display, increase Video Memory to 128 MB:

windows xp mode virtual machine display settings

Windows XP Virtual Machine Network Settings

Adjacent, check the Windows XP virtual machine network settings. Older versions of VirtualBox required a more than manual approach to network configuration. The software is smarter these days (read: automated) and usually picks up your network settings without prompt.

For case, my Windows XP Mode virtual auto works using the default configuration: using NAT, the VirtualBox-specific adapter, and ensuring Cable Continued is checked.

windows xp mode network settings

However, if it doesn't work (and you'll realize the good or bad news in a moment when yous fire up the virtual machine), you lot can effort an alternative configuration.

  1. Set Fastened to: Host-only Adapter
  2. Gear up Name: VirtualBox Host-Only Ethernet Adapter
  3. Set Promiscuous Mode: Deny
  4. Check Cable connected

Using the Showtime Carte search bar, type network and select the Network and Sharing Centre. In the left-hand column, select Change adapter settings. Hold CTRL and select both your Ethernet/wireless card and the VirtualBox Host-Simply Network. Then, right-click and select Bridge Connection.

windows xp mode bridge connections

"Combining" the adapters creates a network bridge, allowing the virtual auto to connect to a network even though it doesn't have direct access to the router (or alternative switch).

When yous enter the virtual auto, you'll have to update your network adapter settings:

  1. Caput to Control Panel > Network and internet Connections > Network Connections.
  2. Then, right-click the Local Area Connection and select Properties. Highlight Cyberspace Protocol (TCP/IP), then select Properties.
  3. Select Employ the following IP address, and enter an bachelor IP address for your domicile network. For instance, I will enter 192.168.1.10. Enter your Subnet mask and Default gateway.
  4. Unsure what they are? On your host car, press Windows Key + R, then blazon CMD, and hit Enter. At present, type ipconfig /all. You'll find the information you lot need listed under your Ethernet or wireless adapter name.
  5. Enter the same DNS server addresses as the host. I use Google DNS, then I'll enter 8.8.8.eight and 8.8.4.4.
  6. Hitting OK.
windows xp internet protocol settings

4. Run the Windows XP Virtual Machine

You extracted the virtual hd. You created a virtual automobile, fiddled with the settings, and now you're ready to hit the power switch.

Highlight your Windows XP Mode virtual automobile on the main VirtualBox window. Double-click information technology and wait for Windows XP to burst into life:

windows xp boot virtual machine

Looks like you lot made information technology!

There is a strong possibility that your mouse will not immediately work with the Windows XP Mode virtual machine. Navigate the operating system installation pages using the Tab primal, arrow keys, Spacebar, and Enter central.

Complete the installation. You'll arrive at a completely blackness screen. Don't worry! Press Right Ctrl + R to restart the virtual machine.

When it reboots, you can Cancel the New Hardware Installation and Microsoft Automatic Update wizards.

Instead, caput to Devices > Install Invitee Additions CD Epitome. The VirtualBox Guest Additions CD Image adds some handy functionality to VirtualBox, including custom resolutions and mouse options.

If the installation doesn't begin automatically, apply the keyboard to navigate to My Estimator. Press theWindows Keyto open the Start carte du jour, then the arrow keys to My Computer. Employ the default installation location and wait for the setup to complete

windows xp mode insert guest additions

You lot will encounter warnings that you are attempting to install unsupported software and/or drivers. Select Continue Anyway. The installation process does take a piffling while, needing periodic input to motion past the software warnings.

Once the Invitee Additions installation completes, select Reboot now.

windows xp mode guest additions installation process

If it fails to reboot, restart the virtual motorcar again.

And in that location you accept it. A working, fully-featured Windows XP installation to call your own.

What About Windows XP Product Keys?

The Windows XP Mode virtual motorcar has a temporary license that expires after 30 days.

If you lot have an old Windows XP license, dig it out and enter it to try to go along the virtual auto alive. I say "try" because the Windows XP activation servers are long offline, but you lot can attempt a phone activation.

If you experience devious, you could try the old Windows activation loop, whereby you reset the trial license dorsum to its original thirty-solar day counter. Nevertheless, I haven't tried information technology with the Windows XP Mode virtual machine, then you will have to comport a private experiment.

But the easier solution is to create a snapshot of the Windows XP Mode virtual machine directly afterwards installation. Then, when the license expires, you can revert to your fresh snapshot (but you'll lose all the data on the virtual machine, so carry that in mind).

Without snapshots, you'll have to go on reinstalling the Windows XP Mode virtual car.

Windows XP Is Not Secure

Notation that simply because you have Windows XP working doesn't mean you should employ it! Windows XP is no longer suitable equally a main operating system considering of the security risks. If you are still running Windows XP on your domicile estimator or laptop, you should consider upgrading to a modern operating system.

How to Tweak Windows XP and Stop Worrying About the Apocalypse

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Virtually The Author

Gavin Phillips (1051 Articles Published)

Gavin is the Junior Editor for Technology Explained, a regular contributor to the Really Useful Podcast, and a frequent product reviewer. He has a degree in Gimmicky Writing pillaged from the hills of Devon, and more than a decade of professional writing experience. He enjoys copious amounts of tea, board games, and football.

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