A Dev compile and install Windows XP and Server 2003 from filtered source code

One of the events in the IT field this year was the massive leak of the source code of Windows XP and other large systems such as Windows Server 2003. Although Microsoft has not yet pronounced on the veracity of the code, researchers say it seems real, and those who have investigated it have already found gems like a visual theme that simulated the aesthetics of 'Aqua', making it look like the old Mac OS X.

One of the concerns that arose in the developers when the news was published was: can Windows XP be compiled from it? The answer is yes, as the NTDEV developer demonstrates in video with the Service Pack 1 version.

Windows XP compiled from Windows XP itself

The process shown has been done in Windows XP, and takes approximately three hours from 'Command Prompt'. In the YouTube comments, NTDEV mentions that with the hardware of the time, compiling Windows XP could take between 12 and 13 hours. When the process is finished, it shows all the generated files, and some programs can be run, such as Winver, which shows the version of Windows that corresponds to the files. In this case, it is Windows Version 5.1, licensed under the name of NTDEV.

The developer tells in the video description that, although he has been able to compile all the code without problems, he still hasn't been able to generate an ISO image to share and install it. NTDEV has also shared on Twitter the whole process it has gone through to compile Windows Server 2003, which was more complicated and heavy as it was a later version (Windows Version 5.2).

In this case it has talked about having managed to generate the ISO file, and has shown the installation steps, which are very similar to those of Windows. The tweeter @jerrykuch, who claims to be or have been a former Microsoft employee with access to the code, says that we should not underestimate the achievement, because in his day it was "difficult" to compile it even with access.

Luigi Nori

He has been working on the Internet since 1994 (practically a mummy), specializing in Web technologies makes his customers happy by juggling large scale and high availability applications, php and js frameworks, web design, data exchange, security, e-commerce, database and server administration, ethical hacking. He happily lives with @salvietta150x40, in his (little) free time he tries to tame a little wild dwarf with a passion for stars.