Windows XP SP3 (Legal) download?

I have my CD-key sticker with me but don't have the CD anymore. Is there anywhere I can download Windows XP SP3 installation disc from?

Nimbuz

Posted 2009-12-28T11:27:42.007

Reputation: 575

Answers

If you have a sticker that is on the side of a computer, it is an OEM licence and only valid for the machine it came with. Contact your system builder who should be able to order you a new one for a minimal charge + shipping.

If you have a fully packaged product and can not find the CD, contact Microsoft, who again for a minimal charge + shipping should be able to order you a new media kit. Alternatively, if you have a MSDN or Technet Subscription, you may get lucky (but not always) and download a version from there and using your serial key.

William Hilsum

Posted 2009-12-28T11:27:42.007

Reputation: 111 572

3"Minimal charge" is a relative statement. Fees can vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer, and some companies that issued the OEM license no longer exist. Some manufacturers have very friendly policies about OS discs, but not all of them. – Zoot – 2010-10-20T17:34:06.920

In case the ISO is needed to create a virtual machine, there is legal download links for ready to use VMs for different IE and OS versions for different hypervisors at https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/tools/vms/.

Windows XP virtual machines were once legally available there too. While they were hidden from combobox now, the download links are still live:

https://az412801.vo.msecnd.net/vhd/VMBuild_20141027/VirtualBox/IE8/Windows/IE8.XP.For.Windows.VirtualBox.zip https://az412801.vo.msecnd.net/vhd/VMBuild_20141027/VMware/IE8/Windows/IE8.XP.For.Windows.VMware.zip https://az412801.vo.msecnd.net/vhd/VMBuild_20141027/HyperV_2012/IE8/Windows/IE8.XP.For.Windows.HyperV_2012.zip

I was able to recontruct them via hint at https://github.com/magnetikonline/linuxmicrosoftievirtualmachines.

Vadzim

Posted 2009-12-28T11:27:42.007

Reputation: 974

All links are now dead, unfortunately. – Vadzim – 2017-12-22T12:20:38.520

If you don't have any MSDN, TechNet or similar subscription I don't think there is any possible way for you to download MS software legally.

The other thing is you may as well have an OEM version, which is usually branded and follows different key patterns than regular retail version. If your case is about an OEM version, you could contact your local retailer of your particular brand and see if they can provide you with an OEM installation CD if they have it at all. As much as I know, most brands these days already pre-install OS on the installed hard disk.

Robert Koritnik

Posted 2009-12-28T11:27:42.007

Reputation: 1 728

2Just found an OEM version on torrent thats specifically upload for those who've lost their CDs – Nimbuz – 2009-12-28T11:52:31.693

1If it's on Torrent it's high probability that it's not legal. – Robert Koritnik – 2010-01-04T10:52:20.613