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

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

Finding a copy of Windows XP isn't easy. Finding some hardware to run it on is simply as difficult. That's why the best option is to install Windows XP on a virtual machine then you can go along it on hand at all times. Here'southward how you practice it!

Is Windows XP Really Available for Gratuitous?

For a long time, Microsoft provided Windows XP Mode, a full version of XP that runs within Windows vii. However, almost of u.s. have long since moved on from Windows seven, making this compatibility fix... well, a little unhelpful.

Unfortunately, Microsoft has since removed the selection to download Windows XP Mode straight. Even so, that doesn't mean you're out of luck, and you can employ the Windows XP Way download link below to grab a copy.

Before continuing with this Windows XP Mode tutorial, you need a few things:

  1. Download and install the latest version of VirtualBox.
  2. Download and install a file annal tool. This tutorial uses 7-Cipher.
  3. A re-create of Windows XP Style (run across below).

1. Download Windows XP Mode Virtual Hard disk

Download the Windows XP Manner virtual hard deejay.

When it completes, don't install it yet!

Instead, browse to the executable, and so correct-click and select vii-Zip > Open up annal > cab from the context menu.

windows xp mode extract files

This immediately opens the executable in 7-Nil for you to have a poke around. At that place are three files:

windows xp mode files sources

Open upSources to reveal some other three files:

windows xp mode xpm sources

Double-click xpm. This is the XP Mode virtual hard drive folder. Information technology should look the same as the image beneath:

windows xp mode full file list

These are the files you need to create the XP Fashion virtual hard disk. Unfortunately, they're Archive files and non executable files, significant they're currently Read-but.

You need to extract these files to a new folder.

Select Extract from the toolbar, then press the ellipsis icon adjacent to the address bar. Browse to where you'd like to extract the files—your C: drive is fine—and select Make New Binder.

I've called my folder "Windows XP Mode," but the choice is yours. When you're ready, printing OK, then OK once more to start the extraction procedure. This can have a minute or two.

Head to the folder you created when the extraction process completes. You'll see the same list of files. The difference is that you tin now edit these files equally you run across fit.

Select the file named VirtualXPVHD. Press F2 to rename. Insert a menstruum betwixt the "P" and the "Five," and press Enter, now readingVirtualXP.VHD. The file should immediately change into a virtual hard disk and the icon to kick.

2. Install Windows XP Style in a Virtual Auto

Before we completed the XP Mode virtual hard disk extraction, I asked yous to download and install VirtualBox. VirtualBox is a free app that allows y'all to run operating systems in a window.

We're going to install the Windows XP Style virtual hard drive in VirtualBox.

  1. Open VirtualBox. Select New.
  2. At the lesser of the Create Virtual Machine window, select Expert Mode (if your window shows an option for Guided Fashion, you're already using Adept Mode).
  3. Now, give your virtual auto a suitable name. If you include "XP" in the virtual machine name, the Version will automatically change to reverberate that. Nevertheless, double-check the Version is Windows XP (32-bit).
  4. Assign the virtual car some retention. Memory is a shared resource, significant both the host (your PC) and the guest (the virtual machine) use it concurrently. Luckily, Windows XP is former and doesn't require buckets of RAM to run. I would advise assigning a minimum of 512 MB (but you won't demand more 2048 MB).
  5. Finally, you demand to assign the virtual hard disk nosotros extracted from the Windows XP Mode executable before. Under Hard disk drive, select Use an existing virtual difficult deejay file. And then, hit the folder with the green arrow. Browse to the folder we extracted our files to, select VirtualXP, then Open.

When you lot're done, your new virtual automobile setup should look similar this:

windows xp mode virtual machine settings

Okay? Hit Create.

3. Windows XP Mode Disk Settings

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

On the VirtualBox toolbar, pressSettings.Caput toSystem. Look at theBoot Order. UncheckFloppy, and motility information technology down the list. PromoteHard disk to the top of the pile. Just similar your host PC, the virtual automobile has a specific kicking club. You need the virtual hard disk at the top of the listing, then it boots starting time:

windows xp mode virtual machine motherboard settings

Under Brandish, increase Video Retention to 128 MB:

windows xp mode virtual machine display settings

Windows XP Virtual Machine Network Settings

Side by side, cheque the Windows XP virtual motorcar network settings. Older versions of VirtualBox required a more than manual approach to network configuration. The software is smarter these days (read: automated) and ordinarily picks up your network settings without prompt.

For instance, my Windows XP Manner virtual machine works using the default configuration: using NAT, the VirtualBox-specific adapter, and ensuring Cablevision Connected is checked.

windows xp mode network settings

However, if information technology doesn't piece of work (and you'll realize the good or bad news in a moment when you burn upward the virtual auto), you can try an culling configuration.

  1. Gear up Attached to: Host-only Adapter
  2. Set Proper noun: VirtualBox Host-Only Ethernet Adapter
  3. Set Promiscuous Manner: Deny
  4. Check Cable connected

Using the Showtime Bill of fare search bar, type network and select the Network and Sharing Middle. In the left-mitt column, select Modify adapter settings. Concord CTRL and select both your Ethernet/wireless card and the VirtualBox Host-But Network. And so, right-click and select Span Connection.

windows xp mode bridge connections

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

When you enter the virtual machine, yous'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 Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), so select Backdrop.
  3. Select Employ the following IP address, and enter an available IP address for your home network. For case, I volition enter 192.168.ane.10. Enter your Subnet mask and Default gateway.
  4. Unsure what they are? On your host automobile, press Windows Central + R, then blazon CMD, and hit Enter. Now, type ipconfig /all. You'll discover the information you need listed under your Ethernet or wireless adapter name.
  5. Enter the aforementioned DNS server addresses as the host. I employ Google DNS, so I'll enter eight.8.8.8 and viii.8.4.4.
  6. Striking OK.
windows xp internet protocol settings

4. Run the Windows XP Virtual Machine

Y'all extracted the virtual hard disk drive. You lot created a virtual auto, fiddled with the settings, and now you lot're prepare to hit the power switch.

Highlight your Windows XP Mode virtual machine on the master VirtualBox window. Double-click it and look for Windows XP to flare-up into life:

windows xp boot virtual machine

Looks similar yous made it!

In that location is a strong possibility that your mouse will non immediately work with the Windows XP Mode virtual automobile. Navigate the operating system installation pages using the Tab key, arrow keys, Spacebar, and Enter key.

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

When information technology reboots, y'all can Cancel the New Hardware Installation and Microsoft Automatic Update wizards.

Instead, caput to Devices > Install Guest Additions CD Prototype. 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, use the keyboard to navigate to My Calculator. Press theWindows Keyto open up the Start menu, then the arrow keys to My Estimator. Use the default installation location and wait for the setup to complete

windows xp mode insert guest additions

You volition see warnings that you are attempting to install unsupported software and/or drivers. Select Continue Anyway. The installation process does accept a picayune while, needing periodic input to motility past the software warnings.

In one case the Guest Additions installation completes, select Reboot now.

windows xp mode guest additions installation process

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

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

What About Windows XP Product Keys?

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

If you accept an sometime Windows XP license, dig it out and enter it to attempt to continue the virtual machine alive. I say "effort" because the Windows XP activation servers are long offline, but y'all tin can try a phone activation.

If you experience devious, yous could effort the old Windows activation loop, whereby you reset the trial license dorsum to its original thirty-twenty-four hours counter. All the same, I haven't tried information technology with the Windows XP Way virtual automobile, and then you will accept to conduct a private experiment.

Merely the easier solution is to create a snapshot of the Windows XP Way virtual machine direct after installation. Then, when the license expires, you tin revert to your fresh snapshot (only you'll lose all the data on the virtual machine, so acquit that in mind).

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

Windows XP Is Non Secure

Notation that just because you have Windows XP working doesn't mean you should utilize it! Windows XP is no longer suitable as a master operating system because of the security risks. If you are yet running Windows XP on your home computer or laptop, you lot should consider upgrading to a modern operating system.

How to Tweak Windows XP and Stop Worrying About the Apocalypse

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Gavin Phillips (1051 Articles Published)

Gavin is the Junior Editor for Technology Explained, a regular contributor to the Actually 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 game.

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