Install Windows XP on a Windows Vista Computer
So you just bought a laptop with Windows Vista (or Windows 7) installed, and you hate Vista, one of your programs doesn't work, or you just miss Windows XP. Here's what you do to get back that old operating system that you miss so much.
Steps
- Consider if you really want to downgrade. The most problematic issues with Windows Vista only apply to the original 2006 version of Vista, not the newer SP1 version that comes with computers sold today. Windows 7 also doesn't have these issues. Windows Vista (7) also includes many features that enhance productivity, including instant desktop search, and features improvements in security.
- Back up the files you want to save. If you have any pictures or documents you want to keep, or programs that are hard to find, write them to a USB flash drive, external hard disk, or CD or DVD. Do this because everything on your hard disk will be destroyed during the process of installing Windows XP.
Also make a set of Windows Vista recovery DVDs to ensure that you can return to Windows Vista if Windows XP doesn't work on your new computer. The exact location of the program to do so differs depending on the brand of your computer, but usually there is a reminder pop-up that periodically appears at the lower right corner if you have not made the discs yet. - Download the Windows XP drivers for your computer from its manufacturer. This is necessary because these drivers add support for newer hardware that did not exist when Windows XP was released. Save the drivers onto your backup disk (along with your personal files). Make sure you get the drivers for "Ethernet" and "Wireless". Otherwise, you might not be able to connect to the Internet to download others. And if you use a wireless network with WPA2 security (or if you're not sure), also download the Wireless Client Update and save it to the backup disk. Also find the driver discs for all printers, scanners, PDAs, music players, and wireless network adapters you will use with the new computer. Some of these drivers might be available from the manufacturer's website if you have lost your CD's.
- Insert the Windows XP CD and boot to it. Put in the CD and then restart your computer. Wait for the setup files to finish loading. If the computer starts into Windows Vista instead of Windows XP Setup, you may have to press a key to boot from the CD. Restart your computer and press the key for the boot menu. This key is different for every computer depending on the BIOS.
- Follow the instructions given by Setup. Press ENTER and then press F8 to accept the license agreement.
If the setup program asks you for the disc for a previous version of Windows, insert a Windows 98 or Windows Me disc and press ENTER. Then switch back to the Windows XP disc. This is perfectly acceptable as long as you are not using that copy of Windows 98/Me. - Select the C: partition
- choose the option "Format the partition by using the NTFS file system (Quick)" and press F. This erases all the files on your hard drive! Then wait for the files to copy. When the Setup program asks for a Product Key, get the folder that your Windows XP CD was in and look at the yellow label on the back. The ID number printed on it is what it wants. Type it in accurately. If Setup says that the code is invalid, carefully check your typing against the label and try again.
If, however, Setup does not detect your hard disk, check your computer's BIOS settings and change any "AHCI" or "RAID" setting to "IDE". (Change it back if you want to go back to Windows Vista.) If there's no such setting, you're out of luck and will have to continue to use Windows Vista. (In this case, just remove the CD and reboot; no files were erased.) - Install the drivers you saved to the backup disk. Before running Windows Update, install the WPA update (if needed), and the drivers you downloaded before installing Windows XP.
- When you get to the Windows XP desktop, run Windows Update from the Start menu. To save time, remember to activate Windows first. When updating your computer, you will need a high-speed Internet connection, and several reboots will be required as Service Pack 3 and other updates are installed; after each reboot, you should run Windows Update again until there are no more updates.
- Put back your files and software. Download and install any drivers you need that you have not already installed. Get the software programs you want and reinstall them, and put back your pictures, documents, and other files you saved. Then install an anti-virus program, such as AVG Anti-Virus (free for personal use) or Microsoft Security Essentials (free for all Windows users).
Tips
- Consult a computer-savvy friend to explain things to you that you don't understand.
- Because you're giving up an important security feature called User Account Control (UAC) by downgrading, consider setting up a separate, "limited" user account for most uses including surfing the web, and install Secunia PSI and check it regularly to make sure that your software remains updated with the latest security fixes. Unpatched software can lead to your computer becoming infected with malware, which is used to attack other computers, steal private information such as credit card and social security numbers, or extortion such as holding your files for ransom, without you even knowing it.
- Make sure that your Windows XP CD includes Service Pack 2. Look on the disc. In general, if you bought the CD before 2005, it will not include the service pack and you will need to download the latest Service Pack 3 before downgrading and install it immediately after installing Windows XP. If this is the case, you will not need the Wireless Client Update since it is included with SP3. If you bought the CD before 2003, it probably doesn't even include Service Pack 1, which is the oldest version that will work, and you should find a newer Windows XP disc.
- If your new computer came with Windows Vista (or Windows 7) Business, Professional, or Ultimate editions, you might have the right to downgrade to Windows XP Professional free of charge. Ask your computer manufacturer for a XP Professional disc if it is not included, or borrow one from a friend whose computer came with the operating system. Don't activate over the Internet however; activate by phone and tell the representative your Vista (7) Business/Professional/Ultimate product key. The representative will walk you through the steps or he may direct you to your computer manufacturer. Remember though, if you only have the Starter, Home Basic, or Home Premium edition of Windows Vista (7), you will need your own copy of Windows XP.
- If you have a powerful PC an a larger drive (i.e, 1TB or more), you may attempt to install both.
Warnings
- Using a Windows XP install CD that came with your old computer (not purchased separately at retail) will not work. The OEM product key from the manufacturer is tied to that computer and will not activate or validate your new computer's Windows XP installation. Also, if you are still using your old computer, do not use the Windows XP product key from that computer, as this is illegal.
- If you don't know what you're doing and don't feel comfortable, don't start. If you do start, just go with the default settings in the setup menu.
- You must be ABSOLUTELY SURE you have backed up all of the files you want to save before formatting your hard disk! Everything on the disk will be erased.
- If you don't have the right Product Key for the CD, don't do this. You'll save yourself a lot of trouble if you have it with you before you attempt to install it.
Things You'll Need
- A desktop or notebook computer with a DVD drive
- A Windows XP install disc purchased separately from a computer (not bundled with one). The disc must either include Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Service Pack 2 (SP2). If you are using an SP1 disc, you will need to download Service Pack 3 as described in the Tips section.
