It might be possible to create a virtual XP machine using VirtualBox or VMware and clone it on as many boxes as you like, with no need for further XP installs.
Not yet. I have been seriously considering taking the machines (I have three without an OS) and going to Linux with a windows emulator. I an not an IT guy, just a Geologist who has learned what little I know of necessity (software and hardware repair). I haven’t had time to work on much in the past couple of years, and have more time to dedicate to the project now.
Exactly correct. I use VMWare Workstation Professional and have several different XP VM's that I can spin up anytime I want and run them all together. Unfortunately for me, some amateur radio software I rely on never made it past Windows XP. Fortunately, I don't need an internet connection when I use that software so I disable the NIC for those VM's just to keep them safe.