The
No internet for a WinXP/98/95 guest post says
If it's your preinstalled Internet Explorer that is not working, that's because it's obsolete, and in particular it doesn't understand HTTPS connections used by almost all modern sites. The solution is to install a browser compatible with today's standards.
It goes on to say that
It may no longer be possible to use Internet Explorer to download anything in XP. You may have to download the installer through your host OS, then use an ISO or a Virtualbox VISO to pass the browser installer through the VM's CD drive, or install the Guest Additions in the XP VM (95 & 98 have no GAs) so a Virtualbox Shared Folder can be used to pass the browser installer into the VM.
Yes, right after I installed a Windows 7 guest, I was having trouble using IE to download most things. But the good news is, I was able to download an installer file that installs Microsoft Edge on Windows 7. Wish I could provide the URL to you, but this forum doesn't allow that.