tetherxp.inf file is a legacy configuration driver originally designed for Windows XP to enable USB tethering from Android devices
- Regularly Update Drivers: Ensure you have the latest version of the driver to benefit from performance improvements and security patches.
- Consult Manufacturer’s Website: For the most current and compatible driver version, check the hardware manufacturer’s website.
- Be Aware of Compatibility: If you experience issues, consider checking forums or support pages for solutions specific to your hardware configuration.
—built right into its core. The problem was that XP didn't know these new Android devices were allowed to use them. This is where tetherxp.inf
For most users, the correct path forward is not to install tetherxp.inf, but rather to upgrade hardware or use Microsoft’s modern RNDIS drivers. For the rest – the retro enthusiasts, the legacy industrial engineers, the embedded tinkerers – this guide should serve as your definitive reference.
Check the Cable: Always use a data-sync cable. Some cheap cables only provide power and cannot transmit the tethering signal.
For developers and advanced users
- To inspect an INF: open in a text editor; examine [Manufacturer], hardware IDs, CopyFiles, AddReg, and SourceDisksFiles sections.
- To test INF installation: use pnputil.exe to add the driver package to the driver store and install:
Code 10 Error: On older systems like Windows XP SP2, the file may fail if the system lacks updated RNDIS drivers, resulting in a "This device cannot start (Code 10)" error.

