Windows XP in virtual machine

I'm planning to run Windows XP in a VM, and I'm curious if anyone did the same and used this .iso from this link, I want to know if it's safe

https://archive.org/details/WinXPProSP3x86

 

I have never needed to download an ISO as my pc came with a reinstall cd from dell. but if you read the reviews you can get some picture of what this iso image will give you , some say bsod and this might be a hardware issue not an issue with the iso, most say the iso ran fine. all you can do is download it, burn a copy to a cd and then install and see.

 

Well I can just mount the .iso file in my virtual machine software and install it like that, however I didn't do it yet because I'm gathering information from people as I don't want to download something unsafe

 

when you download anything, download to the desktop and scan with your antivirus, or you can extract the files to a folder (this will not harm the iso) on the desktop and scan the files again from the created folder, I always scan any download and I more or less can tell when a website is apt to give dodgy downloads.

I have downloaded many items from that website, (ebooks), and have not had a malware in any , so far.

 

I have briefly dabbled in setting up a Windows XP virtual machine in both VirtualBox and VMWare on a Linux Mint setup. VMware worked better and more smoothly in terms of graphics when attempting to play a game...

However, setting up a VM using Windows XP shouldn't be an issue if your goal is something other than games.

 

I have no issue with setting it up, I just want to make sure I will download the proper safe .iso file, and yes VMWare is better in terms of graphics and I use it.

 

If the concern is a proper and safe ISO, then use Microsoft's website?

There should still be an ISO available there, I think.

Name may be one of the two:
en_windows_xp_professional_with_service_pack_3_x86_cd_x14-80428.iso
or
xpsp3_5512.080413-2113_usa_x86fre_spcd.iso

Although, I believe the second one is more of a standalone SP3 pack.

 

How can I find the link? I don't think there's one on microsoft site anymore, unless I access it somehow through a link which is not published anywhere on their site.

 

Copy and paste the ISO name into search engine.

 

I'm not sure whether I should go for that version from the official Microsoft site, or the version on the archive.org, to be exact, from this link: https://archive.org/download/WinXPP...l_with_service_pack_3_x86_cd_vl_x14-73974.iso

 

Sounds like you'll have to make a decision either way.

Wish you the best!

 

If security is your main concern, the Microsoft one would be your best bet as it is coming 'straight from the horse's mouth'.

 

Mounting the ISO in the VM, even if it is unsafe, will not hurt the host OS, as it is the intent of the VM software to isolate whatever you run in it from the host, you could even test viruses and malware that way.
Myself I use Oracle VirtualBox on a Debian install on my laptop and I feel secure that what I run on the VM will not affect anything on the host system.