Years ago, Microsoft released for Windows 7. This was a fully licensed, pre-activated Windows XP VHD (Virtual Hard Disk).
qemu-system-x86_64 -m 512 -hda downloaded-image.qcow2 -net none windows xp qcow2 download verified
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Since you cannot download a verified QCOW2, you must become the verifier. This is the only 100% safe method. Years ago, Microsoft released for Windows 7