Why is it not possible to roll back to XP?

[Ric]

Hello,

I recently "upgraded" my PC from XP to Vista. My PC was sold as "Vista
ready" and before running the upgrade, I did my research and ran the upgrade
assistant - but neither identified the catalogue of problems that I am now
experiencing with Vista.

I would really like to roll back to XP. However, this is not possible unless
I format the disk and reinstall everything - this is just not an option...

I am therefore seemingly stuck with Vista and its problems.

But why have Microsoft made it impossible to reinstall XP? Is this really
technically impossible - if so why? Or have Microsoft made the upgrade
one-way for marketing reasons - ie to prevent people going back to XP?

I feel badly let down by Microsoft on this.

 

[Mick Murphy]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/933168/en-us

That is the link for rolling it back if you still have the windows.old folder.

You did say that you did an upgrade of Vista, not a clean install.

 

[Tiberius]

according to many delusional IDIOTS in here vista crapista is "the best OS
microsoft ever made" lol

if you want to study brainwashed dorks, here is the place, have a look out
for frank, bill yanair, jupiter jones, and spanky de monkey... they are the
dork champions!

Vista = good? I wanna PUKE when I see vista!

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi Ric,

If you upgraded, and a windows.old folder was created, there is the
procedure here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933168

However, this procedure does not always work and you should be prepared to
do a clean install if it fails. This means backing up all data and making
sure that you have the installation disks for any programs that you will
want to reinstall.

Also, Microsoft has never supported uninstalling NT system upgrades. Both XP
and Vista are NT systems. Uninstalling was common with 9x upgrades (Win's
95, 98, and ME), and even 9x to NT (such as 98 to Win2000 or XP) upgrades,
but never NT to NT (NT4, Win's 2000/XP/Vista) upgrades. Those have always
been one way streets.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

Because thats just the way it is. You are given the option during the
initial phase of setup to rollback to Windows XP, but that is your only
chance. Once you have fully upgrade from XP to Windows Vista, your only
choice is a clean installation if you want to go back to Windows XP.

Here is a good resource if you want to get XP back on your system:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

 

[f/fgeorge]

Hello,

I recently "upgraded" my PC from XP to Vista. My PC was sold as "Vista
ready" and before running the upgrade, I did my research and ran the upgrade
assistant - but neither identified the catalogue of problems that I am now
experiencing with Vista.

I would really like to roll back to XP. However, this is not possible unless
I format the disk and reinstall everything - this is just not an option...

I am therefore seemingly stuck with Vista and its problems.

But why have Microsoft made it impossible to reinstall XP? Is this really
technically impossible - if so why? Or have Microsoft made the upgrade
one-way for marketing reasons - ie to prevent people going back to XP?

I feel badly let down by Microsoft on this.

Because the drive space required is prohibitive. Vista is SOOOOO
idfferent in the way it looks and in the way it does things, alot has
changed. To save all the old things and still have room for a properly
operating Vista would require a 300 gig or more hard drive. Most
people don't have that available, so MS left it out.
Vista is better, it is just MUCH different. It is closer to the future
than the past. It is closer to making we users more responsible for
what is causing the problems with our pc's. In the past, as Admins, on
our pc's virueses, trojans, etc could just walk right in and take
over. Then we would call tech support and say 'hey why did you let
them in, why didn't you provide we with a program to stop that
stuff'?. Well MS is listening, not in the way we thought, but.... Now
you will be asked for the Admin password many, many times during the
first couple of weeks, then less and less often as you get your pc
setup like you like it. All those password requests happen because
there is no way for the OS to know if you or a virus, etc, is trying
to do something. Maybe the kiddie virus writers will slow down as time
goes by and we users stop getting infected. The really good virus
writers cannot be stopped, ever. Not as long as we insist on going
online and checking our email, etc.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hello,

I recently "upgraded" my PC from XP to Vista. My PC was sold as "Vista
ready" and before running the upgrade, I did my research and ran the
upgrade assistant - but neither identified the catalogue of problems
that I am now experiencing with Vista.

I would really like to roll back to XP. However, this is not possible
unless I format the disk and reinstall everything - this is just not an
option...

I am therefore seemingly stuck with Vista and its problems.

But why have Microsoft made it impossible to reinstall XP? Is this
really technically impossible - if so why? Or have Microsoft made the
upgrade one-way for marketing reasons - ie to prevent people going back
to XP?

I feel badly let down by Microsoft on this.

If you upgraded to Vista from WinXP:

How to go back to Windows XP after you have upgraded a Windows XP-based
computer to Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933170/en-us

How to restore a computer to a previous Windows installation after you
install Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933168/en-us

Otherwise:

After backing up any data you wish to transfer to the new OS
installation, simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be
offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part
of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of
boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

Then the backed up data can be restored and applications (Those
that are WinXP-compatible, that is) re-installed.



--

Bruce Chambers

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Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Jacques Schett]

I saw this same ire when Microsoft introduced Windows XP, replacing
the warm and fuzzy feeling of Windows 2000 (the NT version of Windows
98) I, too, pissed and moaned about what a POS XP was. It's a matter
of what you know and how much changes between what you know and the
new system.

Change like this brings technological issues (not all hardware
manufacturers test their drivers thoroughly when a new OS is released)
and then there's users finding ways to use the OS that even the most
forward-thinking developer never thought of.

For IT professionals, Vista is here to stay (at least for the next 5
years, anyway) and Microsoft will be improving it as they did with XP.

If you don't handle this kind of change very well, stck with XP for a
while. Eventually, software will be written soley for Vista and there
won't be a choice. But that doesn't mean you have to switch now.

As an IT professional, there are many things about Vista that I like.
What I have trouble with is all the UI changes and some of the
behaviors. But we'll get use to them the way we did with XP...

-JS-

 

[Bill Yanaire]

according to many delusional IDIOTS in here vista crapista is "the best OS
microsoft ever made" lol

if you want to study brainwashed dorks, here is the place, have a look out
for frank, bill yanair, jupiter jones, and spanky de monkey... they are
the dork champions!

Vista = good? I wanna PUKE when I see vista!

Look who is talking. The mental retard of the vista group along with a few
others. You do nothing but put down Vista. You wanna puke? Go puke then
play with Ubuntu

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Well said by one who regularly calls people liars and is UNABLE to
prove the accusation.
Well said by one who regularly changes the handle in a futile attempt
to escape and hide.
Well said by someone unable to offer anything constructive in any way
to help the OP.

So typical of your posts, attacks on others while providing NOTHING of
value.

People who successfully use windows Vista are called "delusional".
Because of your own inability to use Windows Vista, you can do little
more than attack others who succeed where you fail.

Windows Vista works well for me on two older computers.
Many others have similar experiences
FACTS you are unable to dispute.

A very typical post from you.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

It depends on how you upgraded.
If you have the windows.old folder, it may be possible.

If you post details of your problems in a new thread.
Post the specifics of your hardware.
Also post software that is giving you problems.
Someone may be able to help.

"Vista ready"
Do you mean "Vista Capable" or "Premium Ready"?
There is a significant difference:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/capable.mspx

Do you have the latest updates and patches for your software?
Is all your software compatible with Windows Vista as determined by
the software manufacturers?
Do you have the latest drivers from the manufacturer?
Do not assume a new computer comes with the latest drivers, that is
often not true.

Do you have at least 1 GB RAM?
Most need that much while some need 2 GB or more depending on the
specific uses of the computer.

 

[Tiberius]

so some idiots thought XP was not good... who cares?

they were wrong....

and the people who belive that vista is good are wrong..

this is not a repeat of history..

vista is a milestone of stupidity !

 

[HeyBub]

Look who is talking. The mental retard of the vista group along with
a few others. You do nothing but put down Vista. You wanna puke? Go puke
then play with Ubuntu

Isn't playing with one's Ubuntu illegal in most jurisdictions and frowned up
by all mainstream religions?

 

[Frank]

according to many delusional IDIOTS in here vista crapista is "the best OS
microsoft ever made" lol

if you want to study brainwashed dorks, here is the place, have a look out
for frank, bill yanair, jupiter jones, and spanky de monkey... they are the
dork champions!

Vista = good? I wanna PUKE when I see vista!

Go fukk yourself you dips*t half brained moron!
Frank

 

[Frank]

so some idiots thought XP was not good... who cares?

they were wrong....

and the people who belive that vista is good are wrong..

this is not a repeat of history..

vista is a milestone of stupidity !

Damn, do you get paid to make a fool out of yourself in here or is it a
talent unto yourself.
Get lost as*hole.
We don't need nor want your stupid sh*t face in this ng.
Got it?
Frank

 

[Ric]

Hi Ric,

If you upgraded, and a windows.old folder was created, there is the
procedure here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933168

Thanks - I looked at that site before I upgraded to ensure that I would not
be stuck if the upgrade did not work- but THERE WAS NO WINDOWS.OLD FOLDER
AFTER THE UPGRADE!!!

My question remains unasnwered - why is rollback impossible (with or without
the.old folder)? I feel that Microsoft are being sneaky here by making the
"upgrade" one-way just for marketing reasons...

 

[Ric]

Because thats just the way it is.

Sounds like Fascism!

 

[Ric]

It depends on how you upgraded.
If you have the windows.old folder, it may be possible.

If you post details of your problems in a new thread.
Post the specifics of your hardware.
Also post software that is giving you problems.
Someone may be able to help.

Thanks - but I have arrived at a point where the time investment of sorting
out the problems has become too expensive. I just want a computer that works
(which XP did!!).

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

AFAIK, Microsoft has not said.
But my guess it it may not be technically practical.

"one-way just for marketing reasons"
I am not sure how you get that.
Assuming you prudently backed up everything before the upgrade, you
can easily go back to the previous operating system and return Windows
Vista for a refund or use on a different computer.
Inability to revert to a previous operating system by one method does
nothing to prevent use of other methods.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

If you are unwilling to verify compatibility or work out Windows vista
issues, it seems your only option is a Clean Install of Windows XP.