Where can I get a XP install disk for free?

[shutteringfocus]

Hard drive died on an old computer. I still use it for spread sheet stuff for financials.

I have a XP Media Edition 2005 product key sticker on the side of the case, but I have no install disk to load the new HHD.

Anybody know where I can get one for free?

 

[Bongo]

We cannot put direct links to Microsoft's own website to download an ISO, but if you use Google and use "xp iso download" for the search I found that an XP service pack 3 download directly from Microsoft it was to first entry.

Jerry

 

[gregrocker]

What you want is "XP Media Edition 2005 with SP3 OEM download." Note that factory OEM in XP must have the OEM sku, as opposed to retail.

You may only have the choice to download it from a torrent, as I last did after quite a Google search. But make sure to read the listing fully including all others' comments on it to know for sure it has nothing added like a crack or any other customizations.

It's out there, just hard to find.

 

[shutteringfocus]

We cannot put direct links to Microsoft's own website to download an ISO, but if you use Google and use "xp iso download" for the search I found that an XP service pack 3 download directly from Microsoft it was to first entry.

Jerry

Is the "service pack" the same thing as the full OS download?

What do I do, download that and burn it to a DVD?

 

[Britton30]

No, Service Packs are a roll-up containing many previous updates, it's not the OS.
Yes you burn the iso (an image file) to CD.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you even read my post above? It's been sitting there for 5 days, perfectly explaining exactly what you need based on my having to do the very same thing just a few months ago.

 

[theog]

You can use a XP Media Edition 2005 OEM product key, to install OEM Win XP Pro.

 

[shutteringfocus]

Did you even read my post above? It's been sitting there for 5 days, perfectly explaining exactly what you need based on my having to do the very same thing just a few months ago.

I did read your post, and I got very confused doing a google search and reading websites about "torrents."

I have no idea what these are, and it seemed like lots of them are full of viruses, so I didn't want to go there.

 

[theog]

You can order OEM Recovery disks from your OEM manufacturer's website.

 

[gregrocker]

I did read your post, and I got very confused doing a google search and reading websites about "torrents."

I have no idea what these are, and it seemed like lots of them are full of viruses, so I didn't want to go there.

That's why I told you specifically how to avoid this. If you have questions you can ask back.

I would never refer you to a torrent unless it was the absolute last resort to reinstall property which you paid for and own, and this is the only way I was able to get the disk. But check with the PC's maker Tech Support to see if they might still have them.