ClassicConnect

[toxidation]

Preface
If you haven't already, you should install Windows XP of an architecture and edition of your choice. I'd recommend to get a SP3 ISO for x86, and SP2 ISO for x64.

You may ask, "where is installation media"? You can get media from archive.org, MSDN archives (files.dog or msdn.alicesworld.tech**) or old-dos.ru.

A quick note however is old-dos.ru is Russian and you might need to enlist the help of a translator if you don't know Russian. It can get frustrating to constantly copy text and paste it into a translator so I'd recommend a browser extension. There should also be a built-in one if you're using Chromium or Firefox browsers. I'm not sure about other browsers though. I don't think XP x64 is on old-dos.ru, so if you're looking for installation media of that, you should use archive.org or the MSDN archives.

Updating Windows XP x86
You can use LegacyUpdate for this, for this, but the main issue I have with doing that - while I have since learned that there is support for installing POSReady updates - it is still a very tedious process.

What I think is way easier and way faster is the unofficial Service Pack 4 as well as the 2019 post-SP4 update pack. The two combined have worked pretty well for me in the past with a couple of my Windows XP VMs.

Here are some download links for USP4 and the 2019 post-SP4 update pack:

• Unofficial Service Pack 4
  
• Unofficial Service Pack 4 (without .NET)
  
• 2019 post-SP4 update pack
  

Some additional downloads are here and some additional information on USP4 and the 2019 post-SP4 update pack is on RyanVM*

Updating Windows XP x64
This is a more complicated subject as XP x86 and x64 both share different codebases (XP x64 uses a Server 2003 codebase) therefore different updates. That aside, LegacyUpdate has worked best for me in my experience.

I haven't tried the SP3 nor manually installing the updates both via the website, so I'd recommend to try at your own risk, but there exists a unofficial SP3: http://wp.xin.at/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/xp64sp3-chrisgarchar-build.7z. Also the aforementioned website provides a bunch of updates for Server 2003 that can work on XP x64 which can be found here. Note that the download speed there is not particularly the greatest, so be prepared to wait a long while for the downloads to finish.

Updating root certificates
The Windows XP USP4 and 2019 post-SP4 update pack does this automatically. LegacyUpdate should do this too, but just in case it doesn't then you can get a root updater from here, off of nick99nack's website.

Using a modern browser
Below are a couple of modern browsers usable in Windows XP.

Please note that as of me updating this post and Supermium is now out, I'd use it over 360Chrome if you can, due to it being based on a much more modern Chromium base and supporting newer web standards.

• Supermium: A new web browser based off of today's Chromium (version 122 currently!) developed by win32 for Windows XP x86/x64 (with the respective 32/64-bit downloads) and above. It may be resource hungry, however. But, it's easily the best choice if your machine can take it, and even can join VCs on Discord!
  
  
• Mypal: Formerly one of the best choices in this area (and may still be one if your PC is resource constraint). The website can be viewed straight on your XP machine with IE 6. However, it's a bit outdated as it's based on Firefox 68 if you're using New Mypal and not the old, no longer updated Pale Moon-based version. There does seem to be a few backports in the codebase as well, but it still doesn't have the latest and greatest web standards. A side effect of this is that platforms such as Discord doesn't work on Mypal.
  
  
• 360Chrome (See note before this list): 360Chrome is a web browser developed by Qihoo that's based off a much more modern Chromium. What I have linked is the MSFN version of 360Chrome that has removed the Chinese spyware and translated it into English. Because it's a much more recent Chromium version, it can support more modern standards. In fact, the last time I tried it, Discord did indeed work. Some additional information about 360Chrome can be found on MSFN. The higher the version, the newer Chromium version, as well as the more resources it takes up.
  

* This is an archive.org link because RyanVM has been apparently down for a couple of months.
** msdn.alicesworld.tech appears dead currently, and has been for a while. I'll just leave the link there in case it comes back.

[nick99nack]

Nice info tox, thanks for the guide!
_________________
If you like browsing without an ad blocker, you might also like getting rid of your virus scanner, and running around with your pants down. --SomeGuy, 2016

[toxidation]

I should've added a Activation guide. But that's most likely going to be restricted to the VIP lounge, lol.

[Sashi]

Is this software or retro forum worthy?
hmmmmmmmm....

I'll link it to my guide sheet.
_________________
I do stuff with things for reasons.
Fuck it, test in prod.

[nick99nack]

It's kind of right on the cusp of retro. I'd say if it's XP or newer, keep it to software, and don't post activation/license keys here. Older stuff/true abandonware is fair game.
_________________
If you like browsing without an ad blocker, you might also like getting rid of your virus scanner, and running around with your pants down. --SomeGuy, 2016

[toxidation]

I'm not quite happy with the way this post is written. I'm probably going to rewrite at some point. Considering it's me, expect for me to update it in a few months.

[toxidation]

I updated it to be written way better a couple of weeks ago and have revised it just now. I might add onto this post with reviving Microsoft Update (i.e., updates for Windows and other services) and perhaps getting official Windows Update to work again. I also want to try and flesh out the XP x64 section more.

[toxidation]

I haven't updated this in a while. Sorry!

By the way, since I last updated this post, Supermium has released, so I added it and updated some previous entries in my browser list.

I did want to add images to this post at some point to not make it feel like just a wall of text, but I suppose I forgot. I'll get around to it when I can when I update a Windows XP VM again.

I should also flesh out the XP x64 section when I get to that, like my past self said.

[Bryn]

As far as I'm aware, I have my XP VM fully updated but have downloaded the Post-SP4 stuff anyway.

Also, I've heard of Supermium and of win32 mentioning it elsewhere, but did not know that he made it

May try one of these browsers after I deal with the other thing...