A Windows install is huge. And don't forget all the programs you want to run too which take up space as well. There's no reason not to get a large HD. You'l need it.
I tried xp, but the sticker on the bottom didn't work to activate it so I just installed 7. Thanks for the offer though
Mine? Windows 7. Its the best OS since XP. In my opinion, only Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB beats it. Windows 10 consumer versions are crapware.
if you change your mind there are also keys in a text file zipped with the XP ISO from getintopc that you could try
Since OP has installed Windows 7, it should be more than good enough. Cure for menu blues in Windows 7 is Classic Shell. Restores the classic menu that existed through Windows Vista.
ok - 1 more thing... I also could not activate my license (legit OEM) so i used one of the keys i mentioned. But, it seems the keys just activate a 60 trial. I think the reason my legit key didn't work is there are no ethernet drivers in the iso - so no internet access. i'm assuming, if i can find a driver that works & get online then my key will work. you might have the same issue
Probably Windows 7, but still have 3 computers here with XP and love them. Much to most advice given to the subject I still connect very frequently to the internet doing my usual surfing and have not been "attacked" because of Microsoft's no more support rubbish. To me that was just an excuse to upgrade. But as stated 7 is the best operating system they have put out in my humble opinion.
Don't listen to the FUD about using Windows XP post support. Old hardware will run XP much faster than Windows 7. How exactly do people think you'll get infected? Without any firewall or security measures, an unpatched XP machine would (back in the day) get infected by an internet worm in less than ten minutes - there was a report giving some average figure. I tried this once on an unpatched XP desktop PC with Avast's Network Shield active - within ten minutes it had blocked multiple intrusion attempts from worms. That's pretty much the only scenario anyone will see that Network Shield do anything. None of that will matter if you're behind even a basic hardware firewall from a router, and/or if you close all vulnerable ports (which effectively is all of them). Port scanning won't find a vulnerable port, and the router's firewall won't allow traffic initiated from outside. I wouldn't even bother installing a 3rd party software firewall. The other main risk is the browser. If the PC is hardly going to be used online, then I'm sure you know are able to secure the browser enough to minimise any risk. Beyond that any further hardening of the system or security is just extras. Still, this thread might give you ideas, since it inevitably turned to how people were securing their XP installations (https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/are-you-still-using-windows-xp.374090/).
Ok - I am finally finished setup on the XP machine. That was a royal pain so I'll post a few tips here for anyone else attempting it. 1) use any install disk for XP then install the "unofficial SP4" http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/171171-introducing-unofficial-windows-xp-sp4/ It contains all the updates from SP2, SP3 and all the updates to April 2014 (EOL). Also, Windows Update will NOT work until you install SP4 2) to find missing drivers (if you don't have original copies) go to Device Manager - open a device's settings - go to the tab with the drop-down menu with "Hardware ID" - start at the top of the list & search away - i found mine on Driver Guide (watch out for all the free scanner scams) and on manufacturers websites. Updating drivers through Device Manager works once SP4 is installed so don't worry about trying to find the latest one. 3) I do not think Activation works for XP anymore - use your legit key to get through the installation (limits to 30-60 days - Activation doesn't complete) then follow instructions here http://www.wikihow.com/Activate-Windows-XP-Without-a-Genuine-Product-Key have fun
Activation worked last time I tried a few months back. I don't think MS would disable activation for any OS or product without some sort of public statement on it. I've been converting my old Xp installs into VMs with Paragon Virtualization Manager. I usually use the product key on the COA sticker on the chassis. It hasn't failed once to activate.
I have my old XP Professional 64 bit installed on my VM which, only ever received SP2 as its last update, whereas home received the SP3. Will the unofficial SP4 work with the Professional 64 bit?
MisterB glad activation is still happening. I must confess that is something I've been wondering about and if/when M$ will pull the plug on it. When I did 2 installs of XP Pro, the last one about 8 months ago, there was no problem activating offline, over the phone. As for installation I did hit a glitch from the original install disk (SP1) and in the end slipstreamed SP3 into install disk and was good to go after that. Drivers ARE a mission though if you have to start from scratch as I did from an HP computer I was given with no HDD. XP is great. I use things like ublockO and uMatrix, and Kerio 2.1.5. Haven't had AV for years. Only got one scumware (a dialer) on my system over a decade ago.
I like Windows XP so much I put the XP SkinPack on Windows 7. People couldn't tell I'm not running XP!
Thanks - good to know. I still have the sticker as well so not sure why it didn't work - the key was accepted during installation & then the Activation 'wizard' fails to complete even after all the OS updates. There's also an option to activate through Windows Update, but it fails because the site is only compatible with IE11 I assumed they would tell me to go buy Win10
LOL you never know what M$ might do next, so best be ready for that one coz you wouldn't want to go down the 10 path knowing what we have on XP : ).
You can get it here: https://skinpacks.com/download/windows-7/xp-skin-pack/ The change is easily reversible if you don't like it. Obligatory screenshot: https://i2.wp.com/downloadpack.net/skin_pack/xp/xp10.png