Windows XP was one of the most sought after Windows operating systems in the years from 2004 to 2010. it was the best operating system someone could ever install on the physical computer then. Although after 2010, it lost its credibility because it was discontinued and was not receiving any further updates from Microsoft since 2008.
In fact, a small amount of about 3% of the world pc users still uses this operating system today. although that amount seems very little but considering the age of the operating system, it should have been long gone.
Hyper-V is a Built-in virtualization platform in Windows 10, today we are going to enable hyper-v in Windows 10 and create a new virtual machine for Windows XP and install windows XP inside Hyper-V Virtual machine on a running Windows 10.
Because Windows XP is not supported by Microsoft anymore, we do not recommend installing on a physical machine so this will be the best option to install it on Virtual machine.
Note: If you want to install Windows XP in Physical Machine, we have prepared a complete guide on that you can visit the article, Install Windows XP Step By Step Guide.
This OS is not the recommended option due to security reasons
How to install Windows XP on Hyper-V Step By Step
The installation of Windows XP on Hyper-V is simple and Easy. In this article, we have talked about all aspects of installing windows XP on Hyper-V on Windows 10. Before installing Windows XP as a virtual machine, you need to enable Hyper-V in Windows 10. Follow the steps to activate Hyper-V and install windows XP on your computer as a Virtual Machine.
Related Posts:
- How to install Windows XP on VMware on Windows
- How to install Windows XP on a Physical Computer
- How to install Windows XP on Virtual-Box
Step 1: Enable Hyper Virtualization in Windows
The first thing you want to do to install windows XP is to go to your computer’s control panel in order to enable the Hyper-Virtualization feature in Windows 10.
Figure 1: Open Control Panel
Open Control Panel on your computer and click on programs which redirects you to the next page.
Figure 2: Turn Windows Features on or off
Now, below programs and features look for “Turn Windows features on or off” and click on it which will open the corresponding tab.
Now look for Hyper-V in the list and check mark all the features inside.
Figure 3: Restart Computer
Restart your computer and you will be met with this windows saying that the changes you requested has been completed which means that Hyper-V is now enabled and ready to be used.
Step 2: Create A new Virtual Machine
Next Step you will have to do is to open Hyper-V Manager feature you just enabled on your PC.
Figure 1: Open Hyper-V
Figure 2: Start Creating New Virtual Machine
After you have Hyper-V manager opened click on Action in the top menu tab and click on New => Virtual Machine.
Figure 3: Specify Name and Location
In this window you will see the New Virtual Machine Wizard page where you have to type a name and choose the location where you want your Windows XP to be installed.
Figure 4: Specify Generation
On this page, Hyper-V requires you to choose one of the given generations for your virtual machine. Generation 1 & 2 are different from each other as you can also read from the description given below in the picture itself. you can go ahead and choose accordingly.
Figure 5: Assign RAM Memory
In this part, you can assign the amount of RAM you want your new virtual machine to use. Since Windows XP is an old operating system it requires the very least amount RAM. You can even run Windows XP with 128 MB of RAM.
Figure 6: Configure Network
Here you can choose between whether to enable a network adapter for your Virtual machine or not. you can go ahead and choose according to your own liking here. Just keep in mind that this will affect your VM whether you will use the network adapter or not.
Figure 7: Create Virtual Hard Disk
You are now required to assign a specific amount of disk space that your new VM can use.
Figure 8: Installation Options
In this part of the installation, you have to insert the ISO file for your Windows XP installation Disk. You can totally skip to insert the image file and click on the first option if you want to install windows later if you don’t have the ISO File ready or you still have not downloaded it yet.
Figure 9: Completing The New Virtual Machine Wizard
This page is a summary of your newly created Virtual machine. it contains all the details of the VM that you just created.
Step 3: Download Windows XP ISO file
Previously, you were required to insert a Windows XP image file. If you skipped that part then you can easily go ahead and Download Windows XP SP3 by clicking here.
Step 4: Install Windows XP on Hyper-V
After you have inserted Windows XP image file, the installation of the actual Windows XP begins.
Figure 1: Power on Virtual Machine
First things first, Power on your Virtual Machine which will directly go to the Windows XP installation process.
Figure 2: Windows XP Setup
This is the windows XP setup page you don’t have to do anything just wait for it to load the settings for you to begin the installation.
Figure 3: Create Partition
This menu shows the number of existing partitions or unpartitioned space on the Virtual machine. Since we have created a new VM it shows no partition. Press Enter to continue.
Figure 4: Windows Drive Size
Choose the amount of disk space you want your new partition to have and press enter to create a new partition.
Figure 5: Installation Drive
In this menu, you’re shown with the number of partitions created on your Virtual Machine. Select your newly created partition using arrow keys and press Enter.
Figure 6: NTFS Quick Format
You will need to format the newly created partition in order to install windows XP on it. Select the first option which is labeled as “NTFS Quick Format“
Figure 7: Formatting the Drive
Windows is now formatting your partition, wait for to complete and restart. After the Virtual machine restarts the actual installation of Windows XP starts.
Figure 8: Installing Windows
You won’t have to do anything as the Windows will now be automatically installing all the required files. The only thing you can do now is to make sure you don’t disrupt the installation in any manner (such as Shutting down PC).
Figure 9: Regional And Language
In this menu, you can choose your Region and language or the keyboard layout which is US Keyboard layout by default. click on customize if you wish to change the settings otherwise click Next.
Figure 10: Personalize Your Windows
Choose a name for your windows XP that you just installed and click next.
Figure 11: Computer Name and Password
Choose a computer name and a password for your Virtual machine and click next. Choosing a name for your computer is important but if you don’t want to type a password its fine and is not compulsory.
Figure 12: Date and Time Settings
In this menu, you will have to configure the date and time of your computer. Change the time zone according to your location and your date and time will change accordingly.
Figure 13: Completing and Finalizing installation
Windows is now in the final steps of installation completion. wait until it finishes installation and restart the virtual machine.
Figure 14: Windows XP System Properties
Your new virtual machine is now ready and Windows XP is installed on it. you can go ahead and enjoy using it.
Conclusion:
This article was made for those who really want to use Windows XP for a specific reason. In 2020 there is no need to use a very old operating system such as Windows XP unless it was your favorite Windows operating system or maybe you want to use an old Windows XP compatible application or even games that you want to play which cannot be run today.
If you still have any questions about the installation of Windows XP on Hyper-V in Windows 10, leave it in the comment section below we would help you as soon as we could.
