How to Install Windows XP on macOS using VMware Fusion

This article shows you the steps to run Windows XP on a new virtual machine using VMware Fusion 12 Pro on a macOS operating system on a Mac.

You can follow this video tutorial or the steps below to prepare a virtual computer and install a clean Windows XP on your Mac computer.

Step 1: After installing the VMware Fusion virtualization software on your Mac, select Create a custom virtual machine in the virtual machine installation methods options and click Continue.

Step 2: Select Windows XP Professional x64 in the Guest operating system selection window and click Continue again.

Step 3: Since Windows XP is an old system, tick Legacy BIOS in the Firmware type selection window and continue.

Step 4: Create a new virtual disk for a clean Windows XP installation in the virtual disk selection window.

Step 5: In the summary information window of the virtual machine, click Customize Settings to configure the virtual hardware settings better.

Step 6: In the open window, select an external location where you want to save your virtual computer or click Save to confirm the default location.

Step 7: When the Windows XP guest machine settings are opened, click Processors & Memory and add four virtual processors to your virtual system. Assign a memory size of 2 GB or higher to your VM according to the RAM capacity of your Mac computer.

Step 8: Select the network adapter type Ethernet in the Network Adapter settings. You can connect to your host’s local network using Ethernet on a Windows XP guest machine. Also, in the same window, click Advanced Options and check the IOMMU feature for better RAM management.

Step 9: Finally, click on the CD/DVD (SATA) device and add the Windows XP Professional x64 SP1 ISO file you downloaded to your macOS operating system to the virtual machine.

Step 10: Close the Windows XP virtual machine’s settings, run your guest machine in the Fusion program, and start the installation.

Step 11: After installing Windows XP on your Mac, click Virtual Machine / Install VMware Tools in the Fusion tool menu and install VMware Tools.

Step 12: After completing the VMware Tools installation on your XP virtual system, restart your virtual computer.

Step 13: After installing VMware Tools, you can fit the screen resolution of the Windows XP guest machine to full screen and transfer files between the host and VM.

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