How to Install Windows XP ISO on VirtualBox

Microsoft provides free downloads of Windows XP, provided you use a virtual machine. In this article, we will show you how it should be done! Here we will discuss steps on how to Install Windows XP ISO on VirtualBox.

How to Install Windows XP ISO on VirtualBox 2022 Update

Windows XP is the world’s old, but dominated operating system during its heydays. This Windows XP is not officially supported, however, but is available for free download and use in bootable ISO image form.

Yeah, there’s nothing we need to pay for Windows XP Service Pack 3 and ISO licenses, all of which are available on the internet archive website.

Here is how to install Windows XP as a Windows 10 emulator on Oracle VirtualBox, step by step, using its ISO file. This will allow you to continue using Windows XP on your Emulator without installing it on your PC.

Windows XP Virtual Machine on VirtualBox

Here is a glance at the steps we are going to follow for the installation of  Window XP Virtual Machine using ISO file on VirtualBox running on Windows 10.

However, the steps will be the same for Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista.

  1. Download the Windows XP ISO file and copy the license key as well and save it on a notepad. For links see the main step 1 of this article.
  2. Install Oracle VirtualBox on your Windows 10/8/7 PC
  3. Run the VirtualBox and click on the NEW button to create a new Virtual Machine.
  4. Type the name of OS -Windows XP and the rest will be set by default.
  5. Create Virtual Hard disk (VHD) and set RAM.
  6. Select the created Windows XP virtual Machine appearing on the left side of the VirtualBox main screen.
  7. Click on the Settings option from the menu.
  8. Select the Storage Settings
  9. Click on the empty CD icon and then again from the attributes select the CD icon.
  10. Navigate and select the downloaded windows XP ISO file.
  11. Save it and Start the Virtual Machine and Windows XP boot menu will appear.
  12. Follow the installation wizard and it will be on your Oracle Virtualbox to experience.

Step 1: Download Windows XP ISO and License

The first step towards the Virtual installation is to get an ISO image of this old operating system. As I mentioned above that it is free and available by Microsoft itself officially along with the License key.

Thus, use this link which will open the page of Archive.org, where click on the ISO image link given on the right side under the Download section, this will allow you to download Windows XP Professional SP3 x86 ISO image.

Just on the same page, the free but official professional key for the same will have been given. Copy that and jot down somewhere like NotePad.

How to Install Windows XP ISO on VirtualBox 2022 Update

Step 2:  Install VirtualBox on Windows 10/8/7

So, we have now the ISO file of Windows XP professional 32-bit service pack 3, its time to get the Oracle VirtualBox. Here is the link to Download VBox.

In case you already have the Vbox on your system then simply move to next. The installation of the VBox is like any other executable software meant for Windows nothing will be complicated at all.

More Steps on How to Install Windows XP ISO on VirtualBox

Step 3: Create a Virtual Machine for Windows XP

Run VirtualBox and click on the New button given on the Menu of it. Now in the Name box, type- Windows XP and its corresponding options will automatically get setup. Then click on the Next button.

How to Install Windows XP ISO on VirtualBox 2022 Update

Step 4: Set Memory Size (Virtual RAM)

Although Windows XP perfectly works under 512 MB RAM, however, here we are assigning 1GB for better working and smooth performance.

Set Memory Size (Virtual RAM)

Step 5: Create Virtual Hard disk (VHD) for XP virtual machine

To store the installation file we need to attach a Virtual Hard drive to our Virtual Machine. The VirtualBox will automatically set it to 10GB which is enough. Thus, leave the default settings and click on NEXT.

On the Next window, it will ask you to select the type of Virtual Hardrive, by default it will be VDI, however, here we are selecting VHD.

It is because in case, tomorrow we want to run it under Windows Hyper-V, we can easily use the Windows XP VHD image.

Next, select the Dynamically allocated option.

File allocation and Size: By default, the VirtualBox will save all files of the machine on C: drive, if you want to change click on the folder icon and select the place.

Finally, click on the Create button.

How to Install Windows XP ISO on VirtualBox 2022 Update

Step 6: Set ISO Image for Boot

Select the created VirtualMachine and click on the Settings button given on the top menu of VBox.

From Settings -> click on the Storage-> Empty CD icon under storage device-> again on CD icon of Attributes and then “Choose Virtual Optical Disk File“.

An explorer will open select the downloaded Windows XP ISO image.

Window XP Virtual Machine

Click on the OK button.

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Step 7: Start Window XP Virtual Machine

Now, our XP Virtual Machine is ready, time to boot it up. For that select the created virtual machine from the left side of the VBox panel and click on the Start button given in the menu of the same.

Start Window XP Virtual Machine

Step 8: Installing Window XP

Windows XP Professional Setup will open, press the Enter button to continue.

How to Install Windows XP ISO on VirtualBox 2022 Update

Press F8 to accept the Windows XP Licensing Agreement.

Installing Window XP

As we are installing Windows XP on VirtualBox, thus, a single partition will appear, simply press the enter button to format the whole partition.

Installing Window XP

By default, slow formatting option will be selected, use the arrow key of the keyboard and select “ Format the partition using the NTFS file system (Quick)”.

How to Install Windows XP ISO on VirtualBox 2022 Update

After some time, it will ask you to enter the license key for Windows XP. Type this official serial key: MRX3F-47B9T-2487J-KWKMF-RPWBY and click on the NEXT button to complete the installation.

Installing Window XP

Once it will be done, you will get the old but very familiar interface of Windows XP with a familiar startup sound.

How to Install Windows XP ISO on VirtualBox 2022 Update

Thus, in this way, we can install our old Windows XP system on VirtualBox Virtual Machine for testing legacy software or learning purpose.

However, we hope, this information has been useful to you, please share it on your media platforms and with friends.

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