How do I uninstall Windows XP?
Monday, 23 February, 2004
I installed Windows XP home and have had nothing but problems. I want to uninstall it and go back to Win 98. I have been told to just use the Add/remove programs, but Win XP isn't included in the list.
Please help -- XP freezes all the time and my computer is so slow now. It's driving me nuts.
Danielle Bradley, Carrum Downs, VIC
 So many things I'd like to say and so little space.
- You can't "uninstall" an operating system. (It's like asking it to commit suicide)
- You can't go back to an earlier version of Windows by downgrading. That is, there's no equivalent of upgrading (which maintains settings and installed programs).
- To get rid of an operating system the normal way is to format the disk and do a fresh install of the earlier OS.
- If you upgraded from 98 to XP, that might be your basic problem. Go back to scratch, format the disk and do a clean install of XP.
- You could dual-boot XP and 98 if you really need to.
- The fact that XP is so slow and kludgy could be a symptom of a huge accumulation of scumware or even viruses.
Go back through PC User and HelpStation -- there's a wealth of reading on these subjects. Paul Zucker
 Reader solutions
LexiPosted: 16/02/2009 re: How do I uninstall Windows XP? The 'Help & Support' files in Windows XP itself instructs you to go to 'Add/Remove Programs' and uninstall XP from there! strangePosted: 10/12/2008 re: How do I uninstall Windows XP? first of all boot your system win xp bootable CD.then format your hard dish on fat32 system and restart system when 100% format. then start your system win98 bootable CD and reload windows. mike donovanPosted: 19/03/2007 re: How do I uninstall Windows XP? I have upgrraded to XP pro but it is too slow to run i want to go back to XP home. how do I do this.
(I'll pass this question to Link Harris.) DeepakPosted: 27/10/2006 re:How do i upgrade Windows XP home edition to Window XP professional? i am using win98 and i have WinXP Home edition installed, i tried to install WinXP pro. and i did, but it removed WIn98. i wanted to keep Win98, as i have SM56 Motorola modem which do not work with WinXP, so can i upgrade Winxp home Edition to WinXP pro wihtout sacrificing 98?
(That's no ecuse Deepak. People all over Australia are giving away their dial-up modems that DO work on XP. Grab one. =Paul Zucker) Shashi MuttrejaPosted: 24/11/2004 re:Unknown or unsupported DVD decoder encountered. I have a five years old Gateway Computer with a dvd/cd rom drive. I recently upgraded Windows 98 to Windows XP Home Edition. Since then, I am unable to play dvds anymore. Whenever I play dvd, I get a message that my computer is unable to identify dvd decoder or do not have dvd decoder installed. Please help. How do I solve this problem.
Also my explorer is not opening too. Dominic LottersPosted: 24/02/2004 re: How do I uninstall Windows XP? It may be possible that your machine specs just aren't up to scratch for XP. If that is the case, it might be a good idea to get rid of xp and reinstall win98. Having said that, you can't do it using add/remove programs!
eric pihlPosted: 23/02/2004 re: How do I uninstall Windows XP? Hi Danielle,
Having had similar frustrtatrions to yours, I am now having "the best of both worlds" (there is no ideal OS; all have major shortcomings in my not alweays humble opinion) by dual-booting to WinXP or Linux according to your choice. While Linux (e.g Linux Mandrake) gives you the option of "erasing whole drive", replacing any pre-existing OS with Linux, it is advisable to install Linux on a separate ("slave") hard drive, although you can install it on the same drive as Win.
Cheers
Eric DamienPosted: 23/02/2004 re: How do I uninstall Windows XP? Who ever told you to uninstall Xp through Add/Remove programs needs a slap in the head, is that allowed to be said on this site?
Well its true anyway!
|