How do I remove Windows 2000 after installeing Windows XP?

[JimmyB]

I have just installed XP on a laptop and instead of
overwritting the W2K files (as intimated) I now get an
option to run either!!

The W2K is taking up to much space on the hard drive. Is
there a way of removing it without reformating the hard
drive?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I have just installed XP on a laptop and instead of
overwritting the W2K files (as intimated) I now get an
option to run either!!

The W2K is taking up to much space on the hard drive. Is
there a way of removing it without reformating the hard
drive?

1. Rename the Win2000 folder.
2. Wait a week.
3. If all is well, remove the Win2000 folder.

 

[Donald McDaniel]

I have just installed XP on a laptop and instead of
overwritting the W2K files (as intimated) I now get an
option to run either!!

You probably failed to create a new partition for XP when you
installed XP. You must expressly tell the Install program to do this,
and you must expressly tell the Install program to format the new
partition. Unless you had free (unpartitioned) space on your HD when
you installed XP, XP was probably installed in a new folder on your
existing Windows 2000 partition.

The W2K is taking up to much space on the hard drive. Is
there a way of removing it without reformating the hard
drive?

Because Windows XP and Windows 2000 are hopelessly scrambled, your
only choice now is to restart the XP install, delete ALL partitions,
and create a new partition for XP to be installed upon, then format
it. Remember that creating and deleting partitions is destructive, so
make sure you back up your critical data before beginning the new
install.

This time, tell the Install program to create a NEW partition on which
to install XP.

Donald L McDaniel
Keep the thread intact
Post reply to original newsgroup
=======================================================

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

You probably failed to create a new partition for XP when you
installed XP. You must expressly tell the Install program to do this,
and you must expressly tell the Install program to format the new
partition. Unless you had free (unpartitioned) space on your HD when
you installed XP, XP was probably installed in a new folder on your
existing Windows 2000 partition.


Because Windows XP and Windows 2000 are hopelessly scrambled, your
only choice now is to restart the XP install, delete ALL partitions,
and create a new partition for XP to be installed upon, then format
it. Remember that creating and deleting partitions is destructive, so
make sure you back up your critical data before beginning the new
install.

Your advice would be correct if WinXP and Win2000 were installed
in one and the same folder. I do not think it is possible to do this, and
if you managed then you would end up with two crippled systems,
since they share many system file names, plus the registry files.

A far more likely scenario is that the OP has two separate folders:
- c:\WinNT (for Win2000)
- c:\Windows (for WinXP)

If so then the two systems are not at all scrambled, and the WinNT
folder can be renamed, then removed without affecting WinXP.

 

[Donald McDaniel]

Your advice would be correct if WinXP and Win2000 were installed
in one and the same folder. I do not think it is possible to do this, and
if you managed then you would end up with two crippled systems,
since they share many system file names, plus the registry files.

A far more likely scenario is that the OP has two separate folders:
- c:\WinNT (for Win2000)
- c:\Windows (for WinXP)

If so then the two systems are not at all scrambled, and the WinNT
folder can be renamed, then removed without affecting WinXP.

For the record, I DID assume the OP had a HD with a single system
partition on which two operating systems were installed.
How about the common Program Files folder? or the Documents and
Settings folder? Or the Windows Registry? If your scenerio is
correct, these two folders alone on a system with two operating
systems on the same partition would cause irreperable confusion, which
is why Microsoft suggests that two or more operating systems should be
installed in separate partitions. Microsoft not only suggests this,
it refuses to support a solution for installing operating systems on
the same partition, knowing the instability of such a setup.

He may be able to delete the Windows 2000 root folder, but he will
STILL be left with broken Registry keys, shortcuts pointing to the
deleted OS, or programs which were installed under one OS being unable
to run under the second one. All these he will have to correct by
hand, one at a time.

My solution will save him time and stress, and leave him with a clean
OS.

Donald L McDaniel
Keep the thread intact
Post reply to original newsgroup
=======================================================

 

[Guest]

I have a smiliar problem. I need to delete TWO XP Pro installs. I am now
using just regular XP. How would I do that?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I have a smiliar problem. I need to delete TWO XP Pro installs. I am now
using just regular XP. How would I do that?

A good starting point would be to do this:
1. Start the first OS.
2. Start a Command Prompt.
3. Type this commend: set SystemRoot
4. Report the result in your reply, together with a label
(e.g. WinXP Professional - no longer required)

Repeat steps 1 . . 4 for the other OSs.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Step 4 will tell you exactly where the current OS is installed.
You say that you have two OSs to remove - where exactly
are they?

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your quick response. Step four told me that I had C:\Windows. When
I go to my C drive, I have that folder AND WINNT. I want to remove Win XP PRO
(the two installations of it) and keep WIN XP. Everything is installed on the
C drive. Does that help?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

If Step 4 tells you that your current system folder is c:\Windows then
you need to preserve c:\Windows. Rename c:\WinNT to something
else, then delete it a week later if all is well. Renaming is safe:
Windows will not let you rename a folder that it currently uses.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Time to gather some hard evidence. Do this:

1. Start your PC with the operating system you wish to retain.
2. Start a Command Prompt.
3. Type these commands verbatim:
echo SystemRoot=%SystemRoot% > c:\test.txt
dir c:\cmd.exe /s >> c:\test.txt
type c:\boot.ini >> c:\test.txt
notepad c:\test.xt
4. Copy & paste the contents of c:\test.txt into your reply.

 

[Guest]

This is what came back:

SystemRoot=C:\WINDOWS
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is C01F-0819

Directory of c:\WINDOWS\$NtServicePackUninstall$

07/16/2003 01:25 PM 375,808 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 375,808 bytes

Directory of c:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386

08/04/2004 12:56 AM 388,608 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 388,608 bytes

Directory of c:\WINDOWS\system32

08/04/2004 12:56 AM 388,608 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 388,608 bytes

Directory of c:\WINNT\system32

08/22/2001 10:00 PM 375,808 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 375,808 bytes

Directory of c:\WINNT\system32\dllcache

08/22/2001 10:00 PM 375,808 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 375,808 bytes

Total Files Listed:
5 File(s) 1,904,640 bytes
0 Dir(s) 7,842,177,024 bytes free
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

The folder C:\WinNT contains your old installation of Win2000.
Now do this:
1. Reboot the machine.
2. Press F8 repeatedly during the early boot phase.
3. Select "Safe Mode" when prompted.
4. Rename c:\WinNT to C:\WinNT.unwanted
5. Wait a week. If all is well then . . .
6. Start a Command Prompt.
7. Type this command:
rd /s /q c:\WinNT.unwanted

This is what came back:

SystemRoot=C:\WINDOWS
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is C01F-0819

Directory of c:\WINDOWS\$NtServicePackUninstall$

07/16/2003 01:25 PM 375,808 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 375,808 bytes

Directory of c:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386

08/04/2004 12:56 AM 388,608 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 388,608 bytes

Directory of c:\WINDOWS\system32

08/04/2004 12:56 AM 388,608 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 388,608 bytes

Directory of c:\WINNT\system32

08/22/2001 10:00 PM 375,808 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 375,808 bytes

Directory of c:\WINNT\system32\dllcache

08/22/2001 10:00 PM 375,808 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 375,808 bytes

Total Files Listed:
5 File(s) 1,904,640 bytes
0 Dir(s) 7,842,177,024 bytes free
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect

Time to gather some hard evidence. Do this:

1. Start your PC with the operating system you wish to retain.
2. Start a Command Prompt.
3. Type these commands verbatim:
echo SystemRoot=%SystemRoot% > c:\test.txt
dir c:\cmd.exe /s >> c:\test.txt
type c:\boot.ini >> c:\test.txt
notepad c:\test.xt
4. Copy & paste the contents of c:\test.txt into your reply.

Win
XP installed
on that I
want C:\Windows
.. I
when
you program
to format
the on
your upon,
then beginning
the possible to
do

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

It is rather unfortunate that you chose to post your query under
the subject line of "How do I remove Windows 2000" when
in fact you wish to remove Windows XP and retain Windows 2000 . . .

Do this:
- Start a Command Prompt.
- Type this:
notepad c:\boot.ini
- Make sure that the file reads as follows:
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000"
/fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect
- Save & exit.
- Reboot the machine and select "Windows 2000".
- Rename "c:\Windows" to "c:\Windows.unwanted"
- Wait a week. If all is well then . . .
- Start a Command Prompt.
- Type this command:
- rd /s /q c:\WinNT.unwanted

The folder C:\WinNT contains my old installation of Win2000 OR my old
installtion of XP Pro? Because XP Pro is the one I need to get rid of. Thanks
for all of your patience and help!! Jennifer

The folder C:\WinNT contains your old installation of Win2000.
Now do this:
1. Reboot the machine.
2. Press F8 repeatedly during the early boot phase.
3. Select "Safe Mode" when prompted.
4. Rename c:\WinNT to C:\WinNT.unwanted
5. Wait a week. If all is well then . . .
6. Start a Command Prompt.
7. Type this command:
rd /s /q c:\WinNT.unwanted

This is what came back:

SystemRoot=C:\WINDOWS
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is C01F-0819

Directory of c:\WINDOWS\$NtServicePackUninstall$

07/16/2003 01:25 PM 375,808 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 375,808 bytes

Directory of c:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386

08/04/2004 12:56 AM 388,608 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 388,608 bytes

Directory of c:\WINDOWS\system32

08/04/2004 12:56 AM 388,608 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 388,608 bytes

Directory of c:\WINNT\system32

08/22/2001 10:00 PM 375,808 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 375,808 bytes

Directory of c:\WINNT\system32\dllcache

08/22/2001 10:00 PM 375,808 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 375,808 bytes

Total Files Listed:
5 File(s) 1,904,640 bytes
0 Dir(s) 7,842,177,024 bytes free
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect



:

Time to gather some hard evidence. Do this:

1. Start your PC with the operating system you wish to retain.
2. Start a Command Prompt.
3. Type these commands verbatim:
echo SystemRoot=%SystemRoot% > c:\test.txt
dir c:\cmd.exe /s >> c:\test.txt
type c:\boot.ini >> c:\test.txt
notepad c:\test.xt
4. Copy & paste the contents of c:\test.txt into your reply.

Okay, I tried to rename WINNT, but it gave me an error message saying:
Cannot
rename WINNT: It is being used by another person or program. Close all
programs that may be using this file and try again.

If I click on the Windows file, it does not even have the option

to
rename

the folder. *sigh* I know I am probably being a pain here! I am

sorry.
I

REALLY appreciate all of your help.

What should I do next?

:

If Step 4 tells you that your current system folder is

c:\Windows
then

you need to preserve c:\Windows. Rename c:\WinNT to something
else, then delete it a week later if all is well. Renaming is safe:
Windows will not let you rename a folder that it currently uses.


Thanks for your quick response. Step four told me that I had
C:\Windows.
When
I go to my C drive, I have that folder AND WINNT. I want to

remove
Win

XP
PRO
(the two installations of it) and keep WIN XP. Everything is installed
on
the
C drive. Does that help?

:

Step 4 will tell you exactly where the current OS is installed.
You say that you have two OSs to remove - where exactly
are they?


Okay, since I adjusted the boot file, it only loads the OS that I
want
to
keep now. When I did the SystemRoot command, it replied C:\Windows
.. I
am
not
sure about what you mean by step four. Sorry, I am not a big
techie.
(
Could you explain further?

:


I have a smiliar problem. I need to delete TWO XP Pro
installs. I
am
now
using just regular XP. How would I do that?

:


"Donald McDaniel"
<[email protected]>
wrote
in
message On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 05:14:04 -0700, "JimmyB"

I have just installed XP on a laptop and instead of
overwritting the W2K files (as intimated) I now

get
an

option to run either!!
You probably failed to create a new partition for

XP
when

you
installed XP. You must expressly tell the Install program
to
do
this,
and you must expressly tell the Install program to format
the
new
partition. Unless you had free (unpartitioned)

space
on

your
HD
when
you installed XP, XP was probably installed in a new
folder on
your
existing Windows 2000 partition.

The W2K is taking up to much space on the hard

drive.
Is

there a way of removing it without reformating

the
hard

drive?

Because Windows XP and Windows 2000 are hopelessly
scrambled,
your
only choice now is to restart the XP install,

delete
ALL

partitions,
and create a new partition for XP to be installed upon,
then
format
it. Remember that creating and deleting partitions is
destructive, so
make sure you back up your critical data before beginning
the
new
install.

Your advice would be correct if WinXP and Win2000 were
installed
in one and the same folder. I do not think it is possible to
do
this,
and
if you managed then you would end up with two crippled
systems,
since they share many system file names, plus the registry
files.

A far more likely scenario is that the OP has two separate
folders:
- c:\WinNT (for Win2000)
- c:\Windows (for WinXP)

If so then the two systems are not at all scrambled,

and
the

WinNT
folder can be renamed, then removed without

affecting
WinXP.

A good starting point would be to do this:
1. Start the first OS.
2. Start a Command Prompt.
3. Type this commend: set SystemRoot
4. Report the result in your reply, together with a label
(e.g. WinXP Professional - no longer required)

Repeat steps 1 . . 4 for the other OSs.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

As a general rule in newsgroups, one should always create one's
own thread instead of piggy-backing on someone else's thread
that deals with the opposite of one's own problem.

When getting assistance from someone else, ask him/her to
reconcile this contradiction: You believe that you have three
OSs on your machine (two editions of XP Pro, one edition
of XP home), yet the results you report show only two OSs . . .

Good luck!

...In my first post I said that I had a similiar problem, and explained very
clearly that I had two editions of XP Pro and one edition of XP home. Through
out our discussion I referred to this problem and I thought you had read my
posts and knew this is what I was talking about.

You didn't need to be snitty about it. I will try your advice. If it doens't
work, I will find someone else to help me and not bother you again.

It is rather unfortunate that you chose to post your query under
the subject line of "How do I remove Windows 2000" when
in fact you wish to remove Windows XP and retain Windows 2000 . . .

Do this:
- Start a Command Prompt.
- Type this:
notepad c:\boot.ini
- Make sure that the file reads as follows:
[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000"
/fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect
- Save & exit.
- Reboot the machine and select "Windows 2000".
- Rename "c:\Windows" to "c:\Windows.unwanted"
- Wait a week. If all is well then . . .
- Start a Command Prompt.
- Type this command:
- rd /s /q c:\WinNT.unwanted

The folder C:\WinNT contains my old installation of Win2000 OR my old
installtion of XP Pro? Because XP Pro is the one I need to get rid of. Thanks
for all of your patience and help!! Jennifer

:

The folder C:\WinNT contains your old installation of Win2000.
Now do this:
1. Reboot the machine.
2. Press F8 repeatedly during the early boot phase.
3. Select "Safe Mode" when prompted.
4. Rename c:\WinNT to C:\WinNT.unwanted
5. Wait a week. If all is well then . . .
6. Start a Command Prompt.
7. Type this command:
rd /s /q c:\WinNT.unwanted


This is what came back:

SystemRoot=C:\WINDOWS
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is C01F-0819

Directory of c:\WINDOWS\$NtServicePackUninstall$

07/16/2003 01:25 PM 375,808 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 375,808 bytes

Directory of c:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386

08/04/2004 12:56 AM 388,608 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 388,608 bytes

Directory of c:\WINDOWS\system32

08/04/2004 12:56 AM 388,608 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 388,608 bytes

Directory of c:\WINNT\system32

08/22/2001 10:00 PM 375,808 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 375,808 bytes

Directory of c:\WINNT\system32\dllcache

08/22/2001 10:00 PM 375,808 cmd.exe
1 File(s) 375,808 bytes

Total Files Listed:
5 File(s) 1,904,640 bytes
0 Dir(s) 7,842,177,024 bytes free
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /fastdetect



:

Time to gather some hard evidence. Do this:

1. Start your PC with the operating system you wish to retain.
2. Start a Command Prompt.
3. Type these commands verbatim:
echo SystemRoot=%SystemRoot% > c:\test.txt
dir c:\cmd.exe /s >> c:\test.txt
type c:\boot.ini >> c:\test.txt
notepad c:\test.xt
4. Copy & paste the contents of c:\test.txt into your reply.

Okay, I tried to rename WINNT, but it gave me an error message saying:
Cannot
rename WINNT: It is being used by another person or program.

Close
all

programs that may be using this file and try again.

If I click on the Windows file, it does not even have the

option
to

rename
the folder. *sigh* I know I am probably being a pain here! I

am
sorry.

I
REALLY appreciate all of your help.

What should I do next?

:

If Step 4 tells you that your current system folder is c:\Windows
then
you need to preserve c:\Windows. Rename c:\WinNT to something
else, then delete it a week later if all is well. Renaming

is
safe:

Windows will not let you rename a folder that it currently uses.


Thanks for your quick response. Step four told me that I had
C:\Windows.
When
I go to my C drive, I have that folder AND WINNT. I want

to
remove

Win
XP
PRO
(the two installations of it) and keep WIN XP. Everything is
installed
on
the
C drive. Does that help?

:

Step 4 will tell you exactly where the current OS is installed.
You say that you have two OSs to remove - where exactly
are they?


Okay, since I adjusted the boot file, it only loads the OS
that I
want
to
keep now. When I did the SystemRoot command, it replied
C:\Windows
.. I
am
not
sure about what you mean by step four. Sorry, I am not

a
big

techie.
(
Could you explain further?

:


message
I have a smiliar problem. I need to delete TWO XP Pro
installs. I
am
now
using just regular XP. How would I do that?

:


"Donald McDaniel"
<[email protected]>
wrote
in
message
On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 05:14:04 -0700, "JimmyB"

I have just installed XP on a laptop and

instead
of

overwritting the W2K files (as intimated) I

now
get

an
option to run either!!
You probably failed to create a new partition

for
XP

when
you
installed XP. You must expressly tell the Install
program
to
do
this,
and you must expressly tell the Install program to
format
the
new
partition. Unless you had free

(unpartitioned)
space

on
your
HD
when
you installed XP, XP was probably installed in

a
new

folder on
your
existing Windows 2000 partition.

The W2K is taking up to much space on the

hard
drive.

Is
there a way of removing it without

reformating
the

hard
drive?

Because Windows XP and Windows 2000 are hopelessly
scrambled,
your
only choice now is to restart the XP install, delete
ALL
partitions,
and create a new partition for XP to be installed
upon,
then
format
it. Remember that creating and deleting partitions is
destructive, so
make sure you back up your critical data before
beginning
the
new
install.

Your advice would be correct if WinXP and

Win2000
were

installed
in one and the same folder. I do not think it is
possible to
do
this,
and
if you managed then you would end up with two crippled
systems,
since they share many system file names, plus the
registry
files.

A far more likely scenario is that the OP has two
separate
folders:
- c:\WinNT (for Win2000)
- c:\Windows (for WinXP)

If so then the two systems are not at all

scrambled,
and

the
WinNT
folder can be renamed, then removed without affecting
WinXP.




A good starting point would be to do this:
1. Start the first OS.
2. Start a Command Prompt.
3. Type this commend: set SystemRoot
4. Report the result in your reply, together with a label
(e.g. WinXP Professional - no longer required)

Repeat steps 1 . . 4 for the other OSs.