Shadowsocks is an encrypted proxy designed to visit blocked sites or change IP addresses. It was originally developed for China, but has become popular worldwide. There are implementations in different programming languages.

The latest .NET language version that works on XP is 2.5.8 https://github.com/shadowsocks/shadowsocks-windows/releases/tag/2.5.8 (requires .NET 4.0 https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17718)
(By the way, there are some glitches with installing .NET 4.0 on XP, you have to give the system time to generate the cache at idle, otherwise it will take a long time to boot the system)

Unfortunately, shadowsocks 2.5.8 doesn't support the popular and modern chacha20-ietf-poly1305 cipher. It is the most common one. But the older cipher aes-256-cfb is supported. It can sometimes be found on public servers or you can raise your own server.

Public free shadowsocks servers are available in Telegram channels like https://t.me/shadowsocksm and https://t.me/OutlineVpnOfficial
The addresses there are encoded in the ss:// protocol. You can decode them with Base64 Decoder utility http://4mhz.de/b64dec.html (insert address except ss:// and after @).
If you see chacha20-ietf-poly1305, this server will not work on XP. You have to look for another one. Required fields: IP (or domain), port, password, cipher, description.
Here is a Korean server, for example:
IP: 158.247.213.230
Port: 989
Password: f8f7aCzcPKbsF8p3
Encryption: aes-256-cfb
Description: KO

In the program, specify Mode-Global (instead of PAC). And check the "System proxy" box. This will write HTTP and HTTPS proxy 127.0.0.1, port 1080 (you can specify any) in the system. Browsers will use it.

It would be great if chacha20-ietf-poly1305 worked on XP. Maybe in the python version.

Edited August 19, 20224 yr by artenox

Thanks! Will have a look.