: The hotfix supports certificates used for client purposes (e.g., Internet Explorer handshakes). It does not enable SHA-2 support for server-side services like IIS on Windows XP . 📋 System Requirements Operating System : Windows XP Service Pack 3 (x86) .

In 2025, Windows XP is 24 years old. Microsoft ended extended support in April 2014. Security risks are immense. However, industrial and embedded systems often cannot upgrade due to driver or legacy software dependencies. KB968730 remains relevant for:

Obtaining the official hotfix from Microsoft is no longer possible (see section below). However, for historical and verification purposes, the process was as follows:

Disconnect the machine from the public internet entirely.