OpenSSL for Windows XP

[Monroe]

I am looking for an OpenSSL version that can be installed on Windows XP. The latest version that will actually install. I have come across these two web sites that list Win XP but the downloads will not install.

Shining Light Productions / Win32/Win64 OpenSSL

https://slproweb.com/products/Win32OpenSSL.html

Recommended system requirements:
Windows XP or later
128MB RAM
500MHz CPU
300MB hard drive space

... and this site:

OpenSSL For Windows    

https://www.softpedia.com/get/Programming/Components-Libraries/OpenSSL.shtml#download

runs on:
    Windows 11
    Windows 10 32/64 bit
    Windows 8 32/64 bit
    Windows 7 32/64 bit
    Windows Vista 32/64 bit
    Windows XP 32/64 bit    

They indicate that I need the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable 14.50.35719.0 (x86) which I downloaded but it wouldn't install. From that download Visual C++ runtime for XP/2003 I was able to install 'vcredist2013_x86' on Windows XP. Anything higher would not install.

... just found this site on a search:

Latest working Visual C++ 2015-2019 runtime for XP/2003

https://board.eclipse.cx/viewtopic.php?t=386

someone posted this link in the discussion, I have seen these names in the MSFN forum - MilkChan and K4sum1:

Visual C++ Redistributable Runtimes All-in-One Dec 2025

https://www.techpowerup.com/download/visual-c-redistributable-runtime-package-all-in-one/

and there are many older download versions shown.

Just would like to know what is the latest OpenSSL version that will install / work on Windows XP? I have downloaded several x86 versions but they don't install.

Thanks ...

 

[raddy]

Try https://rwijnsma.home.xs4all.nl/files/openssl/

[user57]

you building it into the explorer ?

[Monroe]

44 minutes ago, raddy said:

Try https://rwijnsma.home.xs4all.nl/files/openssl/

Thanks for the list ... I downloaded 5 files, from newer to older and will see if any actually install. I hope one download will install, if not I will download more from the list to find one that will install.

43 minutes ago, user57 said:

you building it into the explorer ?

No, I just wanted to install OpenSSL on my XP setup.

[Monroe]

On 12/24/2025 at 10:28 AM, Monroe said:

Shining Light Productions / Win32/Win64 OpenSSL

https://slproweb.com/products/Win32OpenSSL.html

Recommended system requirements:
Windows XP or later
128MB RAM
500MHz CPU
300MB hard drive space

Thanks to a post by LordGarfio in 'My Browser Builds (Part 5)' - 'Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2019 v16.7 Redistributable v14.27.29114 XP'  - I was able to install 'Win32 OpenSSL v3.6.0 Light' from the above website into my Windows XP system.

This download worked:   from the post by LordGarfio.

I will see how everything works over the next few days. I was not able to install Win32 OpenSSL v3.6.0 Light before.

October 8, 2025 - OpenSSL 3.6 is available. Users should currently install a 3.x series and generally only need a Light edition. All application developers should have migrated their applications to use the OpenSSL 3.x series. Note that 3.5.x is a LTS release series while 3.6.x is not.

Installs the most commonly used essentials of Win32 OpenSSL v3.6.0 (Only install this if you need 32-bit OpenSSL for Windows).

... They have the full version (x32, x64) there also but they mention that the light version (x32, x64) should work for most people.

Add ... I want to add the exact link for Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2019 v16.7 Redistributable v14.27.29114 XP. I stumbled across it someplace and I still think it was in the post by LordGarfio. I can't seem to find the exact link but I saved it to a folder.

https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2883-microsoft-visual-c-redist-2015-2019-for-windows-xp/

About This File

This is the official installer for Visual C++ Redist 2015-2019 downloaded directly from Microsoft's website. This version is the last one to support Windows XP, even though Microsoft links to an older version. There was never a 2015-2022 redistributable installer for Windows XP.

This is intended for Windows XP since that Operating System is good for older games and EAX support. This will ensure the latest redistributable is installed on the system for those games to use.

Zip file contains installers for x86, x64, and arm64 systems. Just run the one you need.

For x64 systems install both x86 and x64.

What's New in Version 14.29.30139   

Released March 22, 2024

Provided a newer version than what the Microsoft website linked to by default, I have confirmed it installable on Windows XP.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the person mentioned above ... this file did install on my Win XP setup also. I came across this file somewhere, just not sure where but I usually save all my links when searching around till I find what I am looking for. Sometimes I get lucky and stumbled or trip over it.

...

 

 

Edited Saturday at 03:23 PM by Monroe
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[Multibooter]

On 12/27/2025 at 1:49 PM, Monroe said:

... this file did install on my Win XP setup also. I came across this file somewhere, just not sure where

MS Visual C++ 2015-2019 Redistributable v14.27.29114 (WinXP, 26Oct2020) can be downloaded from:
https://download.visualstudio.microsoft.com/download/pr/c168313d-1754-40d4-8928-18632c2e2a71/D305BAA965C9CD1B44EBCD53635EE9ECC6D85B54210E2764C8836F4E9DEFA345/VC_redist.x86.exe
was listed together with many other download links at: https://forum.ru-board.com/topic.cgi?forum=5&topic=24691&start=320

MS Visual C++ 2015-2019 Redistributable v14.28.29213 (WinXP, 13Aug2020) can be downloaded from:
http://download.visualstudio.microsoft.com/download/pr/566435ac-4e1c-434b-b93f-aecc71e8cffc/0D59EC7FDBF05DE813736BF875CEA5C894FFF4769F60E32E87BD48406BBF0A3A/VC_redist.x86.exe
was listed together with many good comments at: https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=84578&start=80

MS Visual C++ 2015-2019 Redistributable v14.29.30139 (WinXP, 10Dec2021) can be downloaded from:
http://download.visualstudio.microsoft.com/download/pr/b929b7fe-5c89-4553-9abe-6324631dcc3a/4C6C420CF4CBF2C9C9ED476E96580AE92A97B2822C21329A2E49E8439AC5AD30/VC_redist.x86.exe
emberedison in his posting on 1Dec2025 warns against v14.29.30139, "14.28.29213.0 is work",
https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2883-microsoft-visual-c-redist-2015-2019-for-windows-xp/

Unfortunately, builds 14.27.29114 and 14.28.29213 do NOT install under WinXP on my SSE-only Inspiron 7500 (Pentium III), they seem to require SSE2.

The excellent "MS Visual C++ Runtime Packs 2005-2015 (Kurt_Aust, RyanVM)", however, contains vcredist2015_x86.exe v14.0.24215.1 which installs OK on my Inspiron 7500 with SSE-only.

OpenSSL v3.6.0 (32bit, Light, 8Oct2025), in turn, installs OK under WinXP on my SSE-only Pentium III laptop after having installed vcredist2015_x86.exe v14.0.24215.1 from Kurt Aust. "MS Visual C++ Runtime Packs 2005-2015 (Kurt_Aust, RyanVM)" can be  downloaded from https://www.mediafire.com/file/03xebkxhpvlpep8/Visual_C_redist_32-bit_05_08_10_12_13_15.7z/file

BIG QUESTION: Is there any benefit for a non-programmer to install OpenSSL under WinXP?

 

Edited Monday at 09:56 AM by Multibooter

[AstroSkipper]

3 hours ago, Multibooter said:

BIG QUESTION: Is there any benefit for a non-programmer to install OpenSSL under WinXP?

Programmes which need OpenSSL for establishing connections can be manually updated to a more recent OpenSSL version if the old one doesn't work properly anymore. I did that in the past to revive programmes which are no longer supported by the author. Installing it globally under Windows XP has never been necessary on my computer.

[Multibooter]

29 minutes ago, AstroSkipper said:

Programmes which need OpenSSL for establishing connections can be manually updated to a more recent OpenSSL version if the old one doesn't work properly anymore. I did that in the past to revive programmes which are no longer supported by the author.

Which programs did you revive by updating their OpenSSL components? Do you still use them under WinXP?

[Monroe]

My inquiry about OpenSSL for Windows XP was to see if it might fix my Zone Alarm problems that I have been having since August. I came across someone else having some ZA problems in a search and they were advised to install OpenSSL to see if it might fix the problem. So that was the main reason for my search.

After I found OpenSSL ... I installed it and it did not fix the problem ... actually made things worse. I had more dlls messed up. I put a 'pre OpenSSL' backup back on and no longer have any interest in OpenSSL. I tried something else yesterday and it seems to be working ... ZA is actively starting so far and not shutting down. The trouble started with the ssleay32.dll and then a few others but mainly the ssleay32.dll.

After a week or two I guess I will know if it's fixed or do I install another firewall.

... 

Edited Monday at 05:39 PM by Monroe
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[AstroSkipper]

3 hours ago, Multibooter said:

Which programs did you revive by updating their OpenSSL components? Do you still use them under WinXP?

For example, I updated the OpenSSL Shared Library inside the programme folder of MusicBrainz Picard to get their last XP-compatible version 1.4.2 working again.

[AstroSkipper]

18 hours ago, Monroe said:

My inquiry about OpenSSL for Windows XP was to see if it might fix my Zone Alarm problems that I have been having since August. I came across someone else having some ZA problems in a search and they were advised to install OpenSSL to see if it might fix the problem. So that was the main reason for my search.

After I found OpenSSL ... I installed it and it did not fix the problem ... actually made things worse. I had more dlls messed up. I put a 'pre OpenSSL' backup back on and no longer have any interest in OpenSSL. I tried something else yesterday and it seems to be working ... ZA is actively starting so far and not shutting down. The trouble started with the ssleay32.dll and then a few others but mainly the ssleay32.dll.

After a week or two I guess I will know if it's fixed or do I install another firewall.

... 

Many programmes come with their own OpenSSL modules to establish secure connections. If such a programme is no longer updated, it is only a matter of time before secure connections can no longer be established. Local updating of the OpenSSL files by the user, if possible at all, can then help. A global installation of a current OpenSSL version will not help at all in such cases, as it is simply not used. 

Edited 18 hours ago by AstroSkipper

[Monroe]

6 hours ago, AstroSkipper said:

Many programmes come with their own OpenSSL modules to establish secure connections.

I have not had any Zone Alarm problems for two days now. I found some information online about creating a 'path'. I found a ZA folder in the System 32 folder ... had no idea it was there. When a problem popped up about a missing ZA dll I would put it in the System 32 folder and the ZA Programs folder but I did not know there was also a ZA folder in System 32. There were three dlls that I added and now also to the System 32 / ZA folder ... so far it seems to be working.

I had no prior knowledge of paths or creating a path. There was a gamer online having a problem and he was advised to create a 'path' for a solution, so I took that advice and added the dlls to the Sys 32 - ZA folder, the System 32 folder itself and also the Programs ZA folder ... have them everywhere to be found.

From a gamer post online:

Add a Directory to the PATH on Windows:

Go to Control Panel and open the System icon (Start - Control Panel)

Go to the Advanced tab

Click on the 'Environment Variables' button

Look into the 'System Variables' pane

Add or find the 'Path' entry

Double click or add the Path entry

Enter your ZoneAlarm  directory at the end, including ';' before (;C:\)

Press OK

Note: Be sure to reboot after following the steps above to ensure that the PATH changes are applied.

... I just replaced his game title with the ZoneAlarm directory. I may still have some problems but so far all seems OK.

...

Edited 12 hours ago by Monroe
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