Although I have Windows 7 and also 8.1, I sometimes use XP because my older scanner and printer work much better on XP (fluckin' driver writers want us to buy new peripherals?). Some coupon sites require JRE, but Java 7 isn't being updated, so when I go to update Java it says this: "Java 8 requires a newer version of Windows. You may continue with the installation, but for Java to work as specified we recommend upgrading your computer's operating system." I googled my fool head off and found little, except for a single Q&A posting in another forum: Q: Can I install JDK 8 on Windows XP? Will it work? A: Yes, as long as you install JDK 8 Update 25 or later. Earlier updates of JDK 8 had an installer issue that prevented installation in Windows XP. So, can someone smart confirm that letting JRE update to version 8 will be OK on XP?
To install Java 8 on XP, you will need to get an installer from a NT6.x machine, from c:\Users\USER\AppData\LocalLow\Sun\Java\jre1.8.0_40\ For example. This MSI will install for you. Keep the MSI until you uninstall the application. You can't remove without it. NETbeans 8.0.2 with JDK installs without errors.
Just ignore the warnings, it works fine. Them bitches will do anything to make us upgrade to newer OSs & hardware.