General Consultant Discussion

Does anyone have a reputable source or way to get new computers with Windows XP? I know, I know, but this is a special circumstance.

Have someone sell you an OLD computer with XP??

Google for ""windows xp iso download."" You should be able to find the file and either rip it to a CD/DVD or even a thumb drive to do an install to a hard drive. EDIT: Watch out for virus-laden web sites............

You may have a problem with new hardware not having XP drivers

Use a VM with XP installed?

Yea. Be careful on liability. If you sell these and the client gets infected since XP is no longer updated, they could come after you.

Hmm. All good thoughts and suggestions. I think that I will explain to the customer all of the downsides and liabilities, and tell him that it's well past time to upgrade the software. It's not Sage, btw. Thank you all.

Windows 7 Pro had something called Windows XP Mode, which was basically a glorified XP image running a special version of Virtual PC. Take a look at this: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh859554.aspx

If they need to interface with hardware (USB/serial/parallel), that probably won't work well (or at all), but if it's just an application, I've used that successfully in the past. It even shows the XP application right on the Windows 7 desktop so it doesn't feel like it's running on XP.

Ha, and the first link on that page doesn't work. XP Mode Download is here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx%3Fid=8002