Well, Windows XP is dead, the last thing you can do for retro gaming that isn't use a old system or try Linux, is use ReactOS.
I presently have two PCs running online—a 7-64 websurfer, and the XP quad-core (2015-2016 hardware) I'm typing this on. On this same XP PC, I'm presently streaming MSNBC cable news from the U.S. and I also have my gmail open. Avast (with its real-time watch) is up to date, my highly-regarded adblocker does its job, and, for what it's worth, Microsoft's 2019 BlueKeep security patch for XP/Server 2003 is in there as well.
Admittedly, since August 2020, the Microsoft 'machinery' won't respond to XP calling home for updates; but the updates are available if you have the patience to download and install each one individually. I installed this XP PC before Microsoft did this so I was lucky.
The most recent XP install I did was in an old work PC in September. I installed Pro straight off the disk, recycled the old COA license, and then discovered I couldn't install my SP3 until I had first installed SP1 and SP2. Whoops—I didn't realise my Pro disk didn't have any service packs, so I had to download SP1 and SP2 (one from Microsoft and one from a third-party site). In they went, one after the other, and then no other updates except BlueKeep. Then the graphics driver, and then MiniTool Partition Wizard to align the partition.
After that, I have my faves:
Avast Free, Firefox 52esr, Flash Player 32 offline setup (to later be updated), Office 2000, VLC 2.2.1 (2015), Irfanview 4.10 (2007), Adobe Reader XI (2012), CCleaner 3.00 (2010), SSDLife Free (2.5.82 from 2012 will read the Samsung 860 EVO series). Firefox have switched off the Add-ons but if you google Adblocker Ultimate, it will open up ready for install.
Yes, XP is dying the death from a thousand cuts, but I'm still using it daily at home and daily at work. Obviously for proper surfing (ebay, YouTube, News, etc...) it's hard to beat Firefox Quantum in 7-64.
I'm hoping (possibly in vain) that ReactOS will one day contain that vital whatever-it-is that says to Firefox Quantum, "Yes, in you come". In that regard, ReactOS will have eclipsed XP and Vista. Because I don't understand how computers do what they do, I don't know if it is possible for ReactOS to become a little bit '7'. I don't know what I'll do when 10 becomes the only Windows option.
0.4.14: Gigabyte GA-F2A68HM-DS2, AMD A4 7300 (dual-core APU at 3.8GHz), various SSDs
—Option A: TP-Link TG-3269 PCI gigabit LAN card (XP Beta driver online)
—Option B: TP-Link TG-3468 PCI-E gigabit LAN card (XP driver off disc)