Downgrade Windows XP Pro to Home?

[Mel]

I'm trying to get my Windows licenses in order and need to downgrade one
laptop with a hooky copy of Windows XP Pro back to its OEM Home version.
I've read thru the archives which seem to indicate that "an upgrade to
Windows XP Pro is a one-way ticket". I wondered if anyone has since found a
way other than a clean re-install?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Mel;
There is no downgrade path from Windows XP Pro to Home.
A Clean Install of Home is necessary.

FAST can help you save files and settings:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm

 

[CS]

I'm trying to get my Windows licenses in order and need to downgrade one
laptop with a hooky copy of Windows XP Pro back to its OEM Home version.
I've read thru the archives which seem to indicate that "an upgrade to
Windows XP Pro is a one-way ticket". I wondered if anyone has since found a
way other than a clean re-install?

Unfortunately, there is no other way but to clean install the original
OEM copy of Home. XP Pro will not "downgrade". Before removing the
unlicensed copy of Pro, save all the data you can, such as documents,
email messages, and so forth to CD or CDRW.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I'm trying to get my Windows licenses in order and need to downgrade one
laptop with a hooky copy of Windows XP Pro back to its OEM Home version.
I've read thru the archives which seem to indicate that "an upgrade to
Windows XP Pro is a one-way ticket". I wondered if anyone has since found a
way other than a clean re-install?

Nope. There is no other way. 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 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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[Michael Stevens]

In

I'm trying to get my Windows licenses in order and need to downgrade
one laptop with a hooky copy of Windows XP Pro back to its OEM Home
version. I've read thru the archives which seem to indicate that "an
upgrade to Windows XP Pro is a one-way ticket". I wondered if anyone
has since found a way other than a clean re-install?

Nope. Clean install is the only option.You boot from the CD and do a clean
install.
Click on or copy and paste the link below into your web browser address bar.
How to clean install XP.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Mel]

OK, thanks guys!