If you need to install Windows XP but you've lost your original XP Setup CD, downloading Windows XP will get you out of that bind.

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Downloading Windows XP for 'Free'

There are many places online to download Windows XP, but there probably aren't any legal sources. Windows XP is not distributed online so there isn't a legitimate way to get a Windows XP download, even from Microsoft.

No matter where you find it, be it through a torrent website or some other software distribution website, any XP download you come across online is likely illegal. The only guaranteed legal course of action when you need a copy of Windows XP is to actually buy a new copy of Windows XP. It's really that simple.

An important downside to a free Windows XP download is that it's too easy for it to include malware or other unwanted software bundled in with the operating system. On that note, if you manage to get a hold of a Windows XP ISO, it would need valid license information in order to activate, and most OS downloads come with crackers and keygens that attempt to authenticate the software illegally, which you should avoid.

Even if you did download Windows XP, what you would get is an image of the Windows XP Setup CD. For example, you would probably download an XP ISO file like windows-xp-pro.iso, or something like that. You would then burn that ISO image to a CD that you would then use to install Windows XP.

It's the Windows XP Product Key That's Valuable

In many ways, what you actually pay for when you legally purchase a copy of Windows XP is the product key (sometimes referred to as a CD key or key code, or incorrectly as the serial number). This unique number is required during an installation of Windows XP. So, even if you did find a Windows XP CD download, you would still need a valid XP product key to install and use Windows.

If you do have your Windows XP product key but you're missing your Windows XP CD, you could argue that, since you did actually purchase XP and you have a valid product key and should be able to legally download a Windows XP CD image from anywhere. Microsoft isn't on board with that argument, though.

At this time, the only legal way of obtaining a Windows XP CD is from a legal purchase of the operating system. Contact Microsoft for a replacement Windows XP Setup CD, assuming you can show proof of purchase. If you own a major-brand computer, you could also have luck contacting them directly for a replacement Windows XP disc or restore disc.

Another way to get a copy of Window XP is to purchase it online. You can order Windows XP on Amazon and maybe other websites that offer older software, such as eBay.

If it's just your Windows XP product key that you're looking for, you don't need to download XP or purchase a new XP install disc. See How to Find the Windows XP Product Key for help doing that.

Do You Really Need to Download XP?

Windows XP is an outdated operating system. Since its release in 2001, several newer iterations have succeeded it, all of which have introduced newer features and better security.

If you want to download Windows XP so that you can have a fresh copy of Windows, you're probably better off downloading Windows 10 instead, which is the newest version of Microsoft Windows. In fact, you could even purchase Window 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista, all of which replaced Windows XP.

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On the same note, Windows XP is no longer updated by Microsoft but still possible to 'revert' to. That is, new features and security updates are no longer released via Windows Updates. If you're looking for the latest and greatest version of Windows, you should avoid downloading Windows XP and instead just upgrade to a newer edition of Windows.

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Microsoft ended support for Windows XP in April 2014, and no longer provides security updates or technical support for the Windows XP operating system. Instead, Microsoft encourages users to migrate to a modern operating system such as Windows 10. Nevertheless, some retailers still offer refurbished computers for sale equipped with Windows XP, because the hardware requirements are less than what's required for Windows Vista through Windows 10.

Lifewire recommends that you avoid Windows XP computers.

Risks of Running Windows XP

If you decide to a computer running Windows XP, plan for serious security problems you'll need to deal with:

• Vulnerable to new bugs: Hackers are constantly searching for bugs in existing operating systems. When those bugs are exploited, companies that make the operating system patch those bugs. In the case of Windows XP, Microsoft won't fix those bugs.
• Incompatible drivers: Since most hardware manufacturers stop supporting Windows XP drivers, you'll need to use old drivers. Old driver software is as susceptible to new bugs as the operating system.
• Old Software: Most software companies stopped supporting Windows XP, so you'll be working with outdated software on your computer. Outdated software is at risk for hacking as well.
• Outdated network cards: The older a network card is, the more likely it is that hackers have found problems that they can exploit and hack into your computer. This makes it especially dangerous to connect your Windows XP computer directly to the internet.

Secure Your New Windows XP Computer

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If you do purchase a computer with Windows XP and you cannot upgrade to a modern operating system, follow special security precautions:

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• Install antivirus software: Even if you took steps to secure the computer, install free antivirus software to ensure ultimate security.
• Update all software: Even though the OS isn't receiving patches, improve security by keeping anything you install on the computer frequently updated.
• Avoid internet browsing: Because of the risks, it's not advisable to connect a Windows XP computer to the internet. If you do, avoid using web browsers.
• Install minimal software: The fewer applications that are installed on the computer, the lower the odds are that there will be a software vulnerability that hackers can exploit.