Microsoft stopped online activation for XP, phone activation still works but there is a way to use a website for phone activation instead of calling
Uh...I just have no need to use the Windows Update page to update my XP for the time being. Minitool with WUSU host is just enough - and more convenient to track the process. Will give the new method a shot later though
Something went wrong with me Yes I have done the new method step by step, ran install.bat in safe mode, tried Windows / Microsoft Update, inserted ActiveX dll, in IE8 installed on a new genuine-activated XP SP3 system, with TLS 1.1+1.2 on and PHTTPSP running, unchecked "use only https for trusted sites" and added the correct sites, security level high... but only 0x80072F78 meet with me when it began to scan for updates. Again and again Even I followed the full instruction of the original MSFN post without any success even changes Why? Do I have to return to the WUSU proxy as at the beginning? But there is a point that I've merged MCE + TabletPC into the Professional SP2 (then updated to SP3). Does that matter?
Make sure Service Pack 3 is installed and PosReady Updates are enabled. After that install these updates. Finally, download the Restore_WU_XP_2003 folder and run install.cmd: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uLik_dp-rITCdjE81aooCmaMrL50c82n?usp=sharing
Imo the "new method" is not worth the hassle, given abbodi's solution is working very well and Explorer is useless in 2022 for other tasks.
I have no experience with WUBI, but if you have to spend a day getting to get Explorer working properly, is better to wait 10 minutes using WUMT... Whatever take that as aloud thinking rather than a real suggestion.