How to Install Windows XP on Android Using Termux (complete commands guide)

Installing Windows XP on Android in 2025 is not just possible, it’s way easier than most people think. This guide walks you through the exact method to run a fully working Windows XP desktop on any modern Android phone using Termux and QEMU. If you’ve been searching for how to install Windows XP on Android without root, how to fix the Windows XP ASMS error during installation, or how to get internet working inside XP on a phone, this is the only tutorial that gives you a complete, start to finish process that actually works on Android 10 to Android 15. Most guides online are outdated or break halfway, so this post focuses on giving you clear instructions, real commands, and the exact setup that successfully boots and runs Windows XP on mobile.

Running Windows XP on Android is more than nostalgia. It opens the door to retro apps, classic games, school software, old development tools, and full desktop experimentation right inside your phone. I wanted to create a guide that feels easy to follow even if you’re new to Termux or QEMU. Everything here has been tested, verified, and written for real users who want a stable Windows XP environment on their device. If you enjoy tinkering with operating systems or want to push your Android device further, this tutorial will walk you through every step in a clean, simple and practical way.

Running a fully working Windows XP system on an Android phone using Termux + QEMU

🔥 Why Run Windows XP on Android?

Windows XP is one of the most iconic operating systems ever made. Even in 2026, people still use it for:

retro gaming
running old desktop apps
offline security research
malware testing inside a sandbox
school nostalgia and tech experiments
embedded systems development
lightweight computing on low resources

And running it on an Android device means you now have a portable VM machine in your pocket. No root. No PC. Just Termux + QEMU.

This guide will show you how to:

install QEMU correctly in Termux
create a Windows XP virtual hard disk
attach an original Windows XP ISO
boot XP in a VNC session
fix the common ASMS installation error
finish setup and unlock the full XP desktop
enable working Internet inside Windows XP
download a browser directly inside XP
optimize XP’s performance on Android hardware

📌 Compatibility (Read Before Starting)

This guide works on:

Android 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Termux from GitHub (recommended)
All major brands (Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Motorola, Oppo)

No root required.

📦 Step 1 — Fix Termux Repositories

A lot of users fail at this step because they install QEMU from broken mirrors. Use the official Termux mirror:

termux-change-repo

Select “Mirror groups” → choose Official Termux Mirror
Select “All mirrors” repository
Do NOT enable any unofficial repos

This ensures stable package downloads (especially for QEMU).

⚙️ Step 2 — Install QEMU Headless in Termux

pkg update -y
pkg install qemu-system-x86-64-headless qemu-utils -y

QEMU headless allows display output through VNC, which is the stable way to run Windows XP inside Termux.

💾 Step 3 — Create the Virtual Hard Disk for Windows XP

We create a QCOW2 image, which is a dynamic, efficient virtual disk format.

qemu-img create -f qcow2 winxp.qcow2 10G

10GB is perfect for XP SP3 + apps.

📂 Step 4 — Move the Windows XP ISO to Your Termux Home Folder

To continue the installation, you’ll need a Windows XP ISO file (preferably Windows XP Professional SP3 because it’s the most stable version for QEMU).

Since I can’t share direct download links for operating system images, here’s how you can get it safely:

How to find a Windows XP ISO:

Search on Google for “Windows XP SP3 ISO download”
Look for official digital archive sites, old MSDN listings, or trusted tech forums
Avoid shady file-sharing sites
Make sure the file name ends with .iso and is around 600–700MB
Once you have the ISO downloaded into your phone’s Downloads folder, move it into Termux so QEMU can use it easily.

Use this command in Termux:

mv ~/storage/downloads/en_windows_xp.iso ~/WinXP.iso

This makes it easier to use in commands.

🚀 Step 5 — Boot Into Windows XP Setup

This launches the text-mode installer (the classic blue setup screen):

qemu-system-x86_64 \
 -cpu qemu32 \
 -m 512 \
 -hda winxp.qcow2 \
 -cdrom WinXP.iso \
 -boot d \
 -machine acpi=off \
 -usb -device usb-tablet \
 -vnc :1

Open your VNC app and connect to:

localhost:5901

You should now see the Windows XP Setup interface. if 5901 dosn't work for you try 5900 and it will.

🧩 Step 6 — Handling the ASMS Missing File Error

If you don’t get the ASMS error, you can skip this step and move to Step 7.

This is the #1 issue people face during Windows XP installation on QEMU. If XP says “ASMS file missing”, reboot XP but keep the CD inserted:

qemu-system-x86_64 \
 -cpu qemu32 \
 -m 512 \
 -hda winxp.qcow2 \
 -cdrom WinXP.iso \
 -boot c \
 -machine acpi=off \
 -usb -device usb-tablet \
 -vnc :1

Then in the popup box, type:

D:\i386

This continues setup normally.

✨ Step 7 — Boot Into the Completed Windows XP Desktop

After installation finishes, use this final boot command that includes:

Networking
Sound
Better display
Smooth mouse movement

qemu-system-x86_64 \
 -cpu qemu32 \
 -m 1024 \
 -hda winxp.qcow2 \
 -net nic,model=rtl8139 \
 -net user \
 -vga std \
 -device ac97 \
 -machine acpi=off \
 -usb -device usb-tablet \
 -vnc :1

Again open:

localhost:5901

You should now be inside the full Windows XP desktop environment.

🌐 Step 8 — Test Internet Connectivity Inside XP

XP’s Internet Explorer 6 is outdated and cannot load HTTPS websites in 2025. To test if the internet works, open:

http://example.com

If the page loads → your network is properly configured.

If you see nothing → check your QEMU flags for:

-net user
-net nic,model=rtl8139

🌍 Step 9 — Download a Browser Inside Windows XP

Modern browsers no longer support Windows XP, but a few forks still work. The most reliable inside QEMU is RetroZilla.

Inside XP, open Internet Explorer and enter:

http://rtfreesoft.github.io/RetroZillaWebBrowser

This page loads because it uses HTTP instead of HTTPS.

Download RetroZilla, install it, and now you can browse many modern websites (with limitations).

🧠 Step 10 — Optional XP Optimizations for Better Performance

Because Android ARM CPUs emulate x86 via QEMU, performance matters. Here are recommended changes:

1. Use “Classic Theme”

Right-click Desktop → Properties → Windows Classic.

2. Disable Visual Effects

System Properties → Advanced → Performance Settings → Adjust for best performance.

3. Increase RAM if your device allows

Edit your command:

-m 1536

4. Enable Disk Caching

Add to QEMU command:

-drive cache=writeback

This improves load times.

5. Increase VNC FPS

Use a faster VNC client like bVNC or NetXin.

🔌 Step 11 — Sharing Files Between Android and Windows XP

You can share files using simple HTTP server on Android:

python3 -m http.server 8080

Then inside XP, open:

http://10.0.2.2:8080

You now have shared file access.

Conclusion

Running Windows XP on Android in 2025 is one of those projects that reminds you how powerful modern mobile devices have become. With nothing more than Termux, QEMU, and a bit of patience, you can bring back a fully functional Windows XP environment right inside your phone, complete with apps, internet access, and the classic Bliss wallpaper that so many of us grew up with. This setup isn’t just nostalgia; it's a practical way to explore virtualization, experiment with old desktop software, and learn how emulators work on Android.

If you enjoyed this tutorial and want to go even deeper into Android-based hacking, system experiments, or Termux setups,You can check out my tutorials on installing full Linux desktops on Android, running Termux-based hacking tools, using X11 for graphical environments, and experimenting with other operating systems. There’s a lot more coming, so feel free to explore the site and try the other builds too. Stay Ethical 👾