Windows XP was released in 2001. A period of nostalgia for it is probably before the release of Windows Vista, so 2001-2006.

If using a version similar to en_windows_xp_professional_with_service_pack_3_x86_cd_x14-80428.iso, Windows can be activated with the key CD87T-HFP4C-V7X7H-8VY68-W7D7M. For volume licenses, use XCYBK-2B3KV-G8T8F-WXJM7-WCTYT
Other CD keys can be found at fuwn’s github gist

You can serve folders over LAN (or over internet if port forwarding is configured) with hfs server. It serves folders with a simple HTTP interface.

https://github.com/rmottola/Arctic-Fox works pretty well on XP with at least 2GB of RAM.
https://win32subsystem.live/supermium/ works on XP and is probably the most up-to-date browser available.

Productivity:

• Office 2003 - serial GWH28-DGCMP-P6RC4-6J4MT-3HFDY
• Encarta 2003
• Frontpage 2003 - serial MB4Y8-JMBK4-GXG6Q-RD9VW-PD7GD
• Adobe Reader 8

Games:

• Starcraft
• Jazz Jackrabbit 2
• Delta Force
• Quake & Quake II
• Virtual Cop
• Elf Bowling Hawaiian Vacation

Windows XP SP3 VMware on Arch Linux

1. Read wiki
2. Install vmware-workstation from AUR
3. Enable required services (vmware-* (networks, usbarbitrator))
4. Load vmmon module (modprobe -a vmw_vmci vmmon)
5. Enable 3D acceleration for unsupported hardware
   1. Add mks.gl.allowBlacklistedDrivers = "TRUE" to ~/.vmware/preferences and vmx file of vm
   2. Enable 3D acceleration in VM
   3. Test 3D acceleration with dxdiag
6. Setup shared folders
   • Under VM → Settings → Options → Shared folders
7. Optimise VM settings
   • For windows hosts, append this in the corresponding vmx file:

mainMem.useNamedFile = "FALSE"
MemTrimRate = "0"
prefvmx.useRecommendedLockedMemSize = "TRUE"
MemAllowAutoScaleDown = "FALSE"
sched.mem.pshare.enable = "FALSE"

Sources:
https://gist.github.com/plembo/f0767e4fbcd42c6c98f8271c15ee785d
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/VMware

XP doesn't include sysprep, you need to copy it from the install CD: Support → Tools → Deploy.cab (open and copy somewhere)

You can install Windows XP to a host computer, run sysprep and then put the bootdrive in the target computer. Sysprep generalizes the install (drivers and OOBE experience)
Run sysprep and select minisetup (OOBE experience).

If your build machine is Uniprocessor (UP) add UpdateUPHAL="APCIAPIC_MP,%windir%\inf\hal.inf" to the [unattended] section of your sysprep.inf file then run sysprep, capture and deploy. Change the MP to UP if it is built on a Multiprocessor and you are deploying to UP. (source)

• Windows XP in 2023/2024 - Eclipse Community
  • Windows XP Guide for everyday use
• https://youtu.be/5ELGvqACqH4?feature=shared → install Windows XP in unattended mode using WDS server. This is useful for installing windows to devices with broken I/O, drivers.