Running it as a daily driver is insane at this point. Using it to run retro software is a non-issue as long as it is not connected to the internet.

I mean I've got a home server running Windows Home Server

It's funny all the things you forget when you install an old OS. Last time I virtualized XP for old software, I realized the browser it comes with can't even speak TLS, and thus accept a protocol modern web servers would offer. You can overcome this, but at that point you need to stop and thinking about your goal lol.

It's a decent read, and very true about "living dangerously", as I currently have XP, OS/X, DOS (6 and 7) and others all virtualized and running. I run them on a separate subnet, away from my daily system and block them explicitly from accessing the internet.

I do it purely for enjoyment, as I appreciate the retro "operating systems" as they are truly technical compared today's modern desktop environments which run and look like a SmartTV OS. Also building memories of my form glory days of running BBSes, like RemoteAccess and others that don't have a modern day rebuilds or reimagines.

I just gutted msmpeng.exe from win10, runs like XP now! :D had to use Linux to do it

You all might not believe me but last year I knew someone who ran XP on his daily machine. It obviously didn't work correctly with a bunch of things. I advised him to at least use a light Linux distro to access the internet, he didn't care , and I didn't push the subject anymore.

He was a curious and very nice lad, pretty much "stuck" in the early www days (including his online minset), totally into retro anime but current online security wasn't in his agenda. 😖

Nothing against retro OSes, I have a old laptop with XP installed just for legacy stuff, but I don't connect that thing directly to the internet.

React os always fascinated me. It can't really run on physical hardware but it does run xp apps and some modern apps.

If your machine can run xp chances are it can run a minimal Linux install