Are you still using Windows XP? If yes, there could be some security problems if it’s on a regular computer. But don’t worry! You can still use Windows XP safely by putting it in a virtual machine.
We’ll show you how to set up Windows XP in a VM using Microsoft Hyper-V software. This works on modern systems like Windows 11 or 10. Let’s begin!
Credit: Microsoft
Staying Safe with Windows XP: Using Hyper-V on Windows PC
On October 21, 2001, Microsoft came out with Windows XP, a new operating system after NT and 2000. This improved system lets you do many things at once on computers with 32-bit and 64-bit processors. Also, it has better graphics, security, and reliability, and it’s easier to use compared to the old ones.
Microsoft made two versions of XP to suit different people: Home Edition for home users and Professional Edition for businesses and pros.
XP OS has a more excellent look and is easier to use than before, which is why some folks still like using it today. But you’re still using XP on a regular computer. In that case, it might not be safe because it’s not getting security updates anymore.
To stay safe, you can use something called Hyper-V on a newer system like Windows 10. This helps you run XP safely on your computer. You can find out how to do this in a video or by following some steps we’ll explain below.
Running a Windows XP VM in Hyper-V
Adapter Configuration
- To put Hyper-V on your Windows 10 or 11 computer, first, find the “Turn Windows Features On or Off” tool using the search bar. Then, click on it. Next, pick the Hyper-V option from the list, hit OK, and wait for the necessary files to install. Finally, restart your computer.
- Once you open Hyper-V from the start menu, you’ll need to make an External Switch to connect your guest machines to your home network. This is important before you install an operating system.
- An External Switch is better because it lets your machines (VMs) get an IP address from your local network’s DHCP server, which is good for their health. If you stick with the Default Switch, your VMs might need an IP address from your local network’s IP block. You can make the External adapter by opening the Virtual Switch Manager tool in the Actions section.
- Once you’ve opened the Virtual Switch Manager, pick “External” and hit the “Create Virtual Switch” button to make the adapter. Then, choose your computer’s Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter in the External Network settings. Click OK to close the window when you’re done.
- Once you’re done setting up the external adapter in Hyper-V, click on “Actions,” then “New,” and finally, “Virtual Machine” to begin making your guest machine.
Creating an XP Virtual Machine
- To keep making your guest computer, tap the “Next” button you see on your screen in the “Before You Begin” window.
- In the “Specify Name and Location” window, type the name of the Hyper-V operating system you want to install. Then, hit the Browse button to save a copy of the VM to an external disk. Choose where you want to keep it on your external storage device.
- When you see the “Specify Generation” window, make sure to pick the right option for your operating system. If you’re using an older system like this OS that relies on BIOS firmware, go with Generation 1. This choice guarantees that your operating system works smoothly with the VM you’re setting up.
- When you get to the Assign Memory window, give your Windows XP virtual computer enough memory based on how much RAM your computer has. Suppose you plan to run other VMs besides it in HyperV.
- In that case, you can turn on Dynamic Memory for better memory handling. But if you’re only using one guest operating system, stick with a fixed size and give it 4096 MB (4 GB) of memory.
- In the Hyper-V Network Settings window, find and choose the External adapter you made for Windows XP before.
- In the window where you connect simulated hard disks, you can decide to make the simulated hard disk 50 gigabytes or more, depending on what you need for your guest OS.
Adding XP ISO File and Installing
- In the window where you choose how to install the software, pick “Install an operating system from a bootable image file” to add the Windows XP ISO file to the VM. Then, click on the Browse button to find and add the image file you downloaded to your PC.
- Once you’ve finished setting up your XP machine, it’s essential to check the settings shown in the summary window to make sure they’re what you want. When you’re sure everything looks good, you can close the wizard and start using your VM.
- After making the virtual PC, go into its settings and increase the count of virtual CPUs to 4 or more, depending on how powerful your server is.
- To start installing, you first need to connect to your guest OS. Once you’re connected, find and click the Start button to begin the installation.
Conclusion
In summary, even though Windows XP is old, it can still be helpful. Setting it up in a virtual machine with Hyper-V lets you use it safely without risking your computer’s security. The steps in this guide are simple so that anyone can do it.
If you’re still using this OS, don’t stress! Just follow the instructions here to set up a guest machine, and you can enjoy this excellent OS without worrying about security issues.