Install XP Pro Over XP Home?

[Guest]

Can I install Win XP Professional over Win XP Home? If it is possible, will
all of the pre-installed software and settings be intact and operable?

Eplaination: I just got a new Dell Dimension 8400 with Win XP Pro
pre-installed - didn't want to pay the extra bucks for Win XP Pro since I
already have a legitimate installation CD with Win XP Pro which I bought
about six months ago. OK, I'm a tight wad! But, if I could do this it would
save the work of formatting, installing the OS and then re-installing all of
the pre-installed software. There will be enough to do in moving all the
stuff from my old PC to the new and getting it up and running.

Thanks for any info on this subject, oldmountainman

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If you have a "Retail Version", and not an "OEM Version" of
Windows XP Professional, you can upgrade over an existing
Windows XP Home Edition installation. However, if SP2 was
preinstalled on your new computer, you'll need to make a new
Windows XP Professional with SP2 "slipstreamed" in order
to perform the upgrade.

Either one of the following utilities makes slipstreaming
(integrating) SP2 into Windows XP a breeze:

Windows Slipstreaming and Bootable CD Guide
http://www.msfn.org/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=49

Information on AutoStreamer 1.0
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=188337&st=0&#entry245

Windows XP Service Pack 2 - Direct Download
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

Once you've made a new Windows XP w/SP2 CD, perform the following:

1. Uninstall your current antivirus program.
2. Perform a backup of your important documents and files to a CD.
3. Disconnect all hardware peripheral devices, except the monitor, keyboard and mouse.
4. While running Windows XP Home, insert the Windows XP Pro CD in the drive and select
the default "Upgrade" setup option. [Do not select "New Installation"]
5. Visit the Windows Update site to download all the critical updates.
6. Reinstall your antivirus program and defrag your hard drive.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"oldmountainman" wrote:

| Can I install Win XP Professional over Win XP Home? If it is possible, will
| all of the pre-installed software and settings be intact and operable?
|
| Eplaination: I just got a new Dell Dimension 8400 with Win XP Pro
| pre-installed - didn't want to pay the extra bucks for Win XP Pro since I
| already have a legitimate installation CD with Win XP Pro which I bought
| about six months ago. OK, I'm a tight wad! But, if I could do this it would
| save the work of formatting, installing the OS and then re-installing all of
| the pre-installed software. There will be enough to do in moving all the
| stuff from my old PC to the new and getting it up and running.
|
| Thanks for any info on this subject, oldmountainman
| --
| oldmountainman

 

[Guest]

Thanks. Also, I'd like to thank you for your answer back on 1/1/2005
(Problems with SFC After Installin..." I couldn't do slipstreaming at the
time because I didn't have a CD burner. Now, with my new PC I do, so this
will give me a chance to give it a try. I have a retail version of Win XP
Pro, so, it's just a question of getting started and doing it.. Should have
answered back on 1/1/2005, however. My apologies.

oldmountainman

If you have a "Retail Version", and not an "OEM Version" of
Windows XP Professional, you can upgrade over an existing
Windows XP Home Edition installation. However, if SP2 was
preinstalled on your new computer, you'll need to make a new
Windows XP Professional with SP2 "slipstreamed" in order
to perform the upgrade.

Either one of the following utilities makes slipstreaming
(integrating) SP2 into Windows XP a breeze:

Windows Slipstreaming and Bootable CD Guide
http://www.msfn.org/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=49

Information on AutoStreamer 1.0
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=188337&st=0&#entry245

Windows XP Service Pack 2 - Direct Download
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

Once you've made a new Windows XP w/SP2 CD, perform the following:

1. Uninstall your current antivirus program.
2. Perform a backup of your important documents and files to a CD.
3. Disconnect all hardware peripheral devices, except the monitor, keyboard and mouse.
4. While running Windows XP Home, insert the Windows XP Pro CD in the drive and select
the default "Upgrade" setup option. [Do not select "New Installation"]
5. Visit the Windows Update site to download all the critical updates.
6. Reinstall your antivirus program and defrag your hard drive.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"oldmountainman" wrote:

| Can I install Win XP Professional over Win XP Home? If it is possible, will
| all of the pre-installed software and settings be intact and operable?
|
| Eplaination: I just got a new Dell Dimension 8400 with Win XP Pro
| pre-installed - didn't want to pay the extra bucks for Win XP Pro since I
| already have a legitimate installation CD with Win XP Pro which I bought
| about six months ago. OK, I'm a tight wad! But, if I could do this it would
| save the work of formatting, installing the OS and then re-installing all of
| the pre-installed software. There will be enough to do in moving all the
| stuff from my old PC to the new and getting it up and running.
|
| Thanks for any info on this subject, oldmountainman
| --
| oldmountainman