Deactivate XP

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nosraldb
  • Start date Start date
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Nosraldb

I upgraded a laptop from XP Home to XP Pro. I would now like to deactivate
and uninstall XP Pro so I can use it to upgrade a different computer.

How can I deactivate the XP Pro?

Is it possible to uninstall XP Pro and go back to XP Home? Or would I have
to use the recover CDs that came with the laptop and start all over?

Thanks
Brad
 
Brad;
There is no downgrade path from Windows XP Pro to Home.
Back-up important data and use the recovery CDs.
Also see:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm

There is no deactivation possible or necessary.
Simply remove Windows XP Pro from the computer.

Install Windows XP Pro on new computer and attempt internet
activation.
If internet activation fails, choose the option to activate by phone.
Call Microsoft at the displayed number, done in about 5 minutes.
 
Nosraldb said:
I upgraded a laptop from XP Home to XP Pro. I would now like to deactivate
and uninstall XP Pro so I can use it to upgrade a different computer.

How can I deactivate the XP Pro?

Is it possible to uninstall XP Pro and go back to XP Home? Or would I have
to use the recover CDs that came with the laptop and start all over?

Thanks
Brad
Click to expand...

If your XP Pro is a retail upgrade version then are free to install it
on another computer once you have removed it from the laptop. There is
no "deactivation" required. However if it is less than 120 days since
you activated it on the laptop then when you install it on a different
computer you may have to do a telephone activation.

If you saved the XP Home information during the upgrade then you
should be able to uninstall XP Pro via Control Panel - Add/Remove
Programs. If that is not possible then you will have to use the
recover CDs. However before doing that you can use the "Files And
Settings Transfer Wizard" in XP Pro to save your user data files and
program configuration settings to a network drive or a removable
backup device such as a CD Burner. Then when you have the XP Home up
and running you can use FASTW again to import the saved information.
Former MVP Gary Woodruff has an article on using FASTW at
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."
 
Nosraldb said:
I upgraded a laptop from XP Home to XP Pro. I would now like to deactivate
and uninstall XP Pro so I can use it to upgrade a different computer.

How can I deactivate the XP Pro?
Click to expand...

You would have to start over and reformat the drive to restore the Home.
That releases the license of the Pro and you can install it elsewhere -
if it is an 'Upgrade' version you will need the qualifying copy of
Windows for that, but if that is already on the machine just run the CD
from it. When it comes to activation, if it is more than 120 days since
you last did it, you will find it will go through on the net just like
first time. If not, you will have to phone a toll-free number that will
be given, to explain and swap one long number for another to check back
as you type it in
 
In
Nosraldb said:
I upgraded a laptop from XP Home to XP Pro. I would now like to
deactivate and uninstall XP Pro so I can use it to upgrade a
different computer.

How can I deactivate the XP Pro?

Is it possible to uninstall XP Pro and go back to XP Home?
Click to expand...


Sorry, no it's not.

Or would
I have to use the recover CDs that came with the laptop and
start all
over?
Click to expand...


Yes.
 
Nosraldb said:
I upgraded a laptop from XP Home to XP Pro. I would now like to deactivate
and uninstall XP Pro so I can use it to upgrade a different computer.

How can I deactivate the XP Pro?

Is it possible to uninstall XP Pro and go back to XP Home? Or would I have
to use the recover CDs that came with the laptop and start all over?

Thanks
Brad
Click to expand...

There is no "de-activation" or "unregistration" process, as such.

Assuming a retail license (OEM licenses are not transferable under
any circumstances), simply remove WinXP from the computer it is
currently on, and install it onto the new one. If it's been more than
120 days since you last activated that specific Product Key, you'll
most likely be able to activate via the Internet without problem. If
it's been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone call.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm

The only way to change from WinXP Pro to WinXP Home is to
format the drive and start over. There is no supported downgrade path
or technique.

Simply boot from the WinXP Home 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


--

Bruce Chambers

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