Windows XP has not received official security patches in years. Keep the virtual machine disconnected from the external internet or isolated on a private virtual LAN (VLAN) to protect your host network from vulnerabilities.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find any official or reliable sources that provide a direct download link for Windows XP Lite in qcow2 format. This is likely due to the following reasons: windows xp lite qcow2 download link
Many open-source developers share automated scripts or direct download links to minimal Windows XP environments specifically tailored for Proxmox, GNS3, or pure KVM environments. How to Build Your Own Safe Windows XP Lite QCOW2 Windows XP has not received official security patches
A "Lite" version of Windows XP is a stripped-down edition of the original OS. Using tools like nLite, developers remove non-essential components to drastically reduce the software's footprint. This is likely due to the following reasons: