Windows XP is an operating system that has marked the history of computing. Released in 2001, it has been used by millions of users for over a decade. Today, it is no longer supported by Microsoft, which means it no longer receives security updates or compatibility with recent software.

However, some users still need Windows XP to run older applications or games that do not work or perform well on newer versions of Windows. If you are one of those nostalgic people, know that there is a solution to emulate Windows XP on Windows 11, Microsoft's latest operating system.

What is emulation?

Emulation involves running an operating system or software on a different operating system or hardware than the one for which it was designed. For example, you can emulate a console video game on your PC, or emulate an Android smartphone on your computer.

Emulation relies on the use of software called an emulator, which simulates the behavior of the target operating system or hardware. The emulator creates a kind of virtual machine, in which you can install and run the operating system or software you want to emulate.

How to run Windows XP on Windows 11?

To emulate Windows XP on Windows 11, you have several possible options:

• Use the Windows 11 Compatibility Assistant
• Use virtualization built into Windows 11
• Use third-party virtualization software

Use the Windows 11 Compatibility Assistant

The first option is to use the Compatibility Assistant built into Windows 11. This tool allows you to run a program or game designed for an older version of Windows in compatibility mode. This is a quick and easy solution, which does not require installing an emulator or a copy of Windows XP.

To use the Compatibility Assistant, follow these steps:

• Right-click the program or game you want to run in compatibility mode.
• Click Properties.
• Open the Compatibility tab.
• Check the Run this program in compatibility mode box and select Windows XP from the drop-down list.
• If the program or game requires a specific resolution or color mode, check the corresponding boxes.
• Click OK to validate the changes.

You can now launch the program or game in Windows XP compatibility mode. Note that this option does not guarantee that the program or game will work correctly, depending on its complexity and compatibility with Windows 11.

Use virtualization built into Windows 11

The second option is to use Windows 11's built-in virtualization. Virtualization allows your PC to emulate another operating system, like Windows XP, in a virtual machine. You can install and run Windows XP on Windows 11, as if you had a second computer.

To use virtualization built into Windows 11, you must have a PC compatible with virtualization technology (Intel VT-x or AMD-V) and enable it in your PC's BIOS You must also have a Windows XP ISO image and a valid product key.

To enable virtualization on Windows 11, follow these steps:

• Save your work and close all open applications.
• Select Start > Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced Startup, then select Restart now.
  
• Once your PC restarts, you will see a screen that displays Choose an option. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Settings > Restart.
  
• Your PC will restart again and you will be in the UEFI utility. At this step, you can see the UEFI called BIOS on your PC.
• Look for the option to enable virtualization, which may be under different names depending on your PC manufacturer (e.g. Intel Virtualization Technology, AMD-V, SVM Mode, etc.).
  
• Enable the virtualization option and save the changes.
• Your PC restarts normally in Windows 11.

To create a virtual machine with Windows XP on Windows 11, follow these steps:

• Download and install Hyper-V Manager software, which is a free tool from Microsoft for managing virtual machines.
• Open Hyper-V Manager and click New > Virtual Computer on the Action menu.
• Follow the wizard to create a new virtual machine. Give it a name, choose a generation (preferably the first), assign it an amount of RAM and hard drive, and select the Windows XP ISO image as the installation source.
• Once the virtual machine is created, click it in the left pane and click Start on the Action menu.
• The virtual machine will boot and begin installing Windows XP. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows XP as you would on a real computer.
• Once Windows XP is installed, you can use it as you wish in the virtual machine. You can also install Hyper-V integration tools to improve virtual machine performance and compatibility.

Note that this option requires significant hardware resources to ensure good emulation of Windows XP. You must also follow Microsoft's terms of service to use Windows XP.

Use third-party virtualization software

The third option is to use third-party virtualization software, such as VirtualBox or VMware Workstation. These software also allow you to create and run virtual machines with different operating systems, including Windows XP. They often offer more features and flexibility than Hyper-V Manager.

However, they may also encounter technical problems, such as VirtualBox error E_FAIL (0x80004005) on Windows . This error can prevent a virtual machine from starting or installing and requires a suitable solution.

To use third-party virtualization software, you must also have a PC compatible with virtualization technology and enable it in your PC's BIOS or UEFI. You must also have a Windows XP ISO image and a valid product key.

To create a virtual machine with Windows XP on Windows 11 with VirtualBox, follow these steps:

• Download and install VirtualBox software, which is free and open source software for creating and managing virtual machines.

To create a virtual machine with Windows XP on Windows 11 with VirtualBox, follow these steps:

• Download and install the VirtualBox software, which is available on the official website: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
• Open VirtualBox and click the New button to create a new virtual machine.
• Give your virtual machine a name, for example Windows XP, and choose Windows XP (32-bit) as the type and version. Click Next.
• Assign an amount of RAM to your virtual machine, based on your needs and your available resources. For example, you can choose 1024 MB. Click Next.
• Choose to create a virtual hard disk now and click Create.
• Select the VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) format and click Next.
• Select Dynamically allocated and click Next.
• Choose the size of the virtual hard disk, for example 10 GB, and click Create.
• Click the Settings button for your virtual machine and go to the Storage section.
• Click the disk icon with a plus sign and choose Select Virtual Optical Disk File.
• Select the Windows XP ISO image you downloaded and click Open. Click OK to validate the settings.
• Click the Start button to launch your virtual machine. You should see the Windows XP installation screen appear.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows XP as you would on a real computer. You may need to press a key to boot from the CD-ROM, accept the license agreement, choose a partition and file system, enter a product key, etc.
• Once Windows XP is installed, you can use it as you wish in the virtual machine. You can also install VirtualBox Guest Additions to improve virtual machine performance and compatibility.

To install VirtualBox Guest Additions, follow these steps:

• In the Windows XP virtual machine menu, click Devices, then click Insert Guest Additions CD image.
• Click the Next button in the VirtualBox Guest Additions installation window.
• Leave the default installation location and click Next.
• Click the Install button to begin installing VirtualBox Guest Additions.
• Restart your virtual machine when the installation is complete.

Note that this option also requires significant hardware resources to ensure good Windows XP emulation. You must also follow Microsoft's terms of service to use Windows XP.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of emulation?

Emulation has several advantages:

• It allows you to run operating systems or software that are no longer supported or compatible with your current hardware or operating system.
• It allows you to test operating systems or software without having to actually install them on your computer.
• It allows you to benefit from features or performance superior to those of the original operating system or software.

Emulation also has some disadvantages:

• It often requires a powerful hardware configuration to ensure good fluidity and good graphics quality.
• It may cause compatibility, stability or security issues, depending on the quality of the emulator and the operating system or software being emulated.
• It can pose legal problems if you do not have the rights to use the operating system or emulated software.

Conclusion

You saw in this article how to emulate Windows XP on Windows 11, using three possible options:

• Windows 11 Compatibility Assistant
• Virtualization integrated into Windows 11
• Third-party virtualization software

Each of these options has its pros and cons, depending on your needs and preferences. Emulation allows you to run older applications or games that are no longer supported or compatible with newer versions of Windows. It also allows you to enjoy a nostalgic and efficient operating system.

However, emulation often requires powerful hardware configuration and may cause compatibility, stability or security issues. It can also pose legal problems if you do not have the rights to use the operating system or emulated software.

We hope that this article has been useful to you and that you have successfully emulated Windows XP on Windows 11. If you have any questions or comments, do not hesitate to leave them to us in comments.