AnyDesk 6.x’s relay servers were shut down in 2023. AnyDesk 7.x’s relay network is still active, but the company may deprecate it in late 2026.
If you cannot get AnyDesk stable, you have two other legacy options:
| Software | Last XP Version | Pros | Cons | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | TightVNC | 2.8.84 | Open source, extremely stable | No encryption by default, slower than AnyDesk | | UltraVNC | 1.2.4.0 | DSM plugin for encryption | Complex setup, requires open ports | | TeamViewer 14 | 14.7.1965 | Works well, free for personal | Aggressive commercial detection, huge installer |
Recommendation: Only switch to VNC if AnyDesk’s "Protocol error" is unresolvable. VNC is slower but more compatible with XP's ancient graphics stack. anydesk windows xp
AnyDesk officially dropped support for Windows XP after version 7.0.0 (released in early 2021). However, version 6.4.0 and 6.3.2 were fully compatible. These legacy builds are stable, secure (for their era), and free of the "commercial use detected" blocks that plague free-tier users of competitors.
AnyDesk is a remote desktop application that lets users access and control a computer remotely over the internet. Official modern AnyDesk releases target supported Windows versions (Windows 7 and later). Windows XP is an obsolete operating system (end-of-life) and lacks security updates, so using it for remote access has important limitations and risks.
Do not click the green "Download Now" button on the AnyDesk homepage. That will download the latest version (9.x), which will give you an error: "This program is not a valid Win32 application" or "Entry Point Not Found." AnyDesk 6
You need the AnyDesk Legacy build.
1. The “End of Life” Elephant in the Room The version you run on XP is AnyDesk 7.0.0, released in early 2022. The current version (as of 2025) is 8.x. You will never get updates. This means:
2. Major Security Red Flags Running AnyDesk on XP is like putting a steel lock on a cardboard door. Windows XP itself has hundreds of unpatched remote execution exploits. AnyDesk opens a port (usually 7070) and allows incoming connections. If you expose this machine to the open internet (not behind a VPN or firewall), you are begging to be ransomwared. This is fine for local LAN only. Never, ever port-forward this to the WAN. AnyDesk officially dropped support for Windows XP after
3. No Modern Authentication
4. UI Glitches and Missing Rendering The XP client cannot render modern remote features. If you try to view an XP screen from an iPhone or Android, the touch gestures work, but the session toolbar often draws incorrectly. Also, the “Privacy Mode” (blacking out the remote screen) is not supported on the XP side.
5. No Sound or Printer Sharing You get clipboard sync and file transfer. That’s it. Remote audio from the XP machine? No. Redirect printing to your local printer? No. Remote USB? Forget it.
Once installed, you must configure AnyDesk specifically for XP’s limitations.