Virtualize Windows XP to make it fluid with VMware Workstation 16 and 15.5

2.3. Update Windows XP to SP2 or SP3

As mentioned before, you will not be able to transfer the installation file easily without the VMware Tools.
Nevertheless, you have 2 options available :

use an USB key : you connect it to the host PC. You transfer the desired service pack installation file to this USB key. Then, you connect it to the virtual machine.
transfer the file directly into the virtual hard disk of your virtual machine. To do this, you stop it, then in the settings of it, you can map its virtual hard disk on your host PC.

Select the first volume (by default, there is only one) and uncheck the "Open file in read-only mode (recommended)" box.
Then, click OK.

Ignore the warning about disabling the "read-only" protection by clicking Yes.

The contents of the C partition of the virtual machine (Windows XP) appears.

Create a new folder at the root of this partition.

Note : you will not be able to store the file directly to the root due to rights issues.

Copy the service pack 2 or 3 installation file to drive Z.

Now, the installation file is in the virtual hard disk of our virtual machine.

Once the transfer is complete, return to your virtual machine settings and click Disconnect.
Then, leave this window.

Start the virtual machine.

Go to the previously created folder in drive Z and launch this file.

A "Extract files" window is displayed.

Click Next to install the desired service pack.

At the end, click Finish to restart the virtual machine.

As expected, the security center that appeared with Windows XP Service Pack 2 appears.

And in the system properties of Windows XP, you will see that the service pack installed has changed.

2.4. Install VMware Tools

To install VMware Tools, go to the VM menu and click Install VMware Tools.

The VMware Tools CD appears.
By default, the automatic execution of CDs is activated in Windows XP. So, wait for the installation to start.

The VMware Tools Installation wizard appears.

Perform a Typical installation.

If the SP2 or SP3 of Windows XP is not installed, this error will be displayed :

Error loading tpvmmon.dll
The specified module could not be found.

Click OK and the following error will appear :

Plain Text

Printers
Can not complete this operation.

Otherwise the installation will finish without problem and will ask you to restart.
When restarting, click on the bubble displayed at the bottom right and then click on Yes.

By default, the Printer device is enabled in the settings of your virtual machine.

With the installation of ThinPrint drivers during VMware Tools installation, you will be able to use host PC printers from the guest OS (Windows XP).
Although Virtual Printer exists in VMware Workstation 15.5, you will not be able to install it in Windows XP and you will not need it.
VMware Tools will be sufficient in this case for this feature to work with Windows XP as a guest.