Install Windows XP / Windows 2000 Using WinPE (WINREPUSB Legacy Guide)

Legacy Windows Install Guide (Windows 2000 / Windows XP)

This guide explains how to install Windows 2000 or Windows XP using a modern WinPE environment and WinNTSetup. This is the recommended method because legacy Windows installers were originally designed for CDs/DVDs and may not boot reliably from USB on newer systems.

Tip: This same guide is also included on your USB (look for a README at the USB root). You can also bookmark this page for later.

Best Practice: Use the Modern WinPE environment to install legacy Windows (XP/2000). It has the best storage/USB driver support.
✅ What You Need
  • WINREPUSB (USBBAP11) — 64GB Windows Repair & Reinstall USB
    View product details →

    This guide applies to the current 64GB WINREPUSB (USBBAP11) edition.

  • WinNTSetup utility (included on the USB toolset).
  • A Windows XP or Windows 2000 ISO (included on the USB).
  • A target PC that supports Legacy BIOS / UEFI-CSM (UEFI-only systems are not compatible with XP/2000 installs).
🧭 Where to Find Things on WINREPUSB

Bootable Environment (Modern WinPE – Recommended): CPU-Type-64bit(x86-64)\Antivirus - Data Recovery - Rescue & Repair\Windows All-in-One Toolkit [Windows Oriented]

Bootable Legacy Repair Tools (ERD / MSDaRT): CPU-Type-64bit(x86-64)\Legacy Windows Tools\

Once booted to WinPE, you can find Legacy Windows Installers (Windows XP / Windows 2000 ISOs) at: PC Drivers Apps & Utilities\MS Windows - Older Installers\

⚠️ Compatibility Requirements (Read This First)
  • Windows 2000 / XP require Legacy boot. Enable Legacy BIOS or CSM in BIOS/UEFI.
  • Use MBR partitioning for the target drive (legacy Windows cannot boot UEFI/GPT in the standard way).
  • NTFS recommended: Windows XP requires NTFS for best reliability. Windows 2000 supports NTFS or FAT32 (NTFS preferred).
  • If you see a STOP 0x7B error during setup, see troubleshooting below (storage mode / SATA drivers).
🚀 Install Steps (Windows XP and Windows 2000)
  1. Boot WINREPUSB and select the Modern WinPE environment:
    CPU-Type-64bit(x86-64)\Antivirus - Data Recovery - Rescue & Repair\Windows All-in-One Toolkit [Windows Oriented]
  2. Prepare the hard drive using a disk utility (example: DiskGenius):
    • Create a single primary partition
    • Format as NTFS
    • Mark the partition as Active
  3. Mount the Windows ISO:
    • In WinPE File Explorer, browse to:
    • PC Drivers Apps & Utilities\MS Windows - Older Installers\
    • Right-click the Windows 2000/XP ISO → Mount
  4. Launch WinNTSetup (Start Menu → type WinNTSetup → Enter).
  5. In WinNTSetup:
    • Select the Windows 2000 / XP / 2003 tab
    • Select the mounted ISO drive as the source (click "Search", then double-click the mounted drive letter: D/E/F/etc.)
    • Ensure MBR / PBR / BOOT PART indicators show green
    • Boot Drive: C:\
    • Installation Drive: C:\
  6. Click Start Setup (or Setup) and wait for the file copy to complete.
  7. Reboot and unplug the USB during restart so the PC boots from the internal drive.
  8. Windows setup will continue:
    • Text-Mode Setup begins
    • Reboot
    • GUI Setup completes installation
  9. If copy errors appear during setup, choose:
    Cancel → Yes (continue setup). [NOTE: there may be 3-5 errors during this task, which is absolutely fine, just keep Canceling → Yes and setup will continue.]* For Windows XP - follow the same procedure.
🛠 Troubleshooting

STOP 0x7B (Inaccessible Boot Device)

  • In BIOS, try switching storage mode to IDE / Compatibility (if available).
  • Or use a SATA-integrated Windows 2000/XP ISO.

Boots back into WinPE instead of starting setup

  • Remove the USB before reboot, or change boot order so the internal drive boots first.
  • Confirm WinNTSetup Boot Drive and Install Drive were both set to C:\.

“NTLDR is missing”

  • Re-run WinNTSetup and ensure Install NTLDR bootloader is enabled.
⚠️ Licensing & Legal Use

Windows installation requires a valid product key depending on your system. This USB provides installers and repair tools; activation is handled through Microsoft’s licensing system. We do not provide product keys.

🛠 Need Help?

If you get stuck, Message Us with:

  • PC brand + model
  • Photo of the error screen (if any)
  • Which WinPE you used (Modern WinPE / Legacy tools)