Windows XP build 2442

Windows XP build 2442 is a build of Windows XP that was shared in Simplified Chinese by the Chinese community BetaWorld on 15 August 2021. Prior to the publication, beforehand, it was uploaded on Chinese website BetaWorld on 18 December 2014, the build has been mentioned in various posts on the Chinese Software Developer Network (CSDN), including a thread about installing drivers for a modem from May 2001, and two threads about timebomb removal from July 2001.

On 20 October 2020, BetaWorld user MacAdmin uploaded a picture of a Chinese warez CD labeled "KEE-044" containing the build. A higher-resolution picture of the same CD was then uploaded by BetaWorld user 随便问我 on 24 October 2020. This version is currently the earliest shared Chinese build of Windows XP.

Changes

 * The CD Player application was removed in this build and replaced with the CD functionalities of Windows Media Player.
 * The branding in the setup and out-of-box experience has been modified to use the then-new Windows flag first introduced in build 2428.
 * A flat blue color is used in place of the default Red moon desert wallpaper seen the in most Beta 2 builds; however, the wallpaper itself is still present. This change would later be reverted in the next build.
 * The system crash screen layout has been changed.
 * Contrary to popular belief, this is the earliest available build to include Windows XP branding, but only one reference, in, reading.

Bugs and quirks

 * The system crash screen text is mostly garbled due to Chinese characters being displayed with the wrong ASCII font.

Installation

 * On some configurations, setup will freeze when performing a full format.