Apache Friends Support Forum

Running setup_xampp.bat results in a error message that php.exe is not a valid win32 application.
Apparently the VC11 version will not run on Windows XP.
Couldn't find this mentioned anywhere else in the forum.

Just to the right of the download link on http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html:

For Vista, 7, 8, 2008 & 2012. Windows XP or 2003 not supported.

Doh! ...I looked but did not see that, but it didn't come up when I searched, so hopefully it will now and help other idiots!