Revert to XP

[Guest]

Is there a way to uninstall Vista and revert back to XP or, at least, a way
to make Vista backwards compatible with previous software and hardware?

 

[Marcin Domaslawski]

Hi,

Unfortunately there isnt option to back to previous system - you have to do
clean install
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933170/en-us

If you have problems with with compatibility of some soft you can try to
launch it with previous system compatibility mode: Properties of exe file
(or shortcut) -> Compatibility tab

Marcin Domaslawski

 

[Lang Murphy]

Is there a way to uninstall Vista and revert back to XP or, at least, a
way
to make Vista backwards compatible with previous software and hardware?

Hmm... what software? What hardware? The devil's in the details...

Lang

 

[Rock]

Is there a way to uninstall Vista and revert back to XP or, at least, a
way
to make Vista backwards compatible with previous software and hardware?

It depends on your setup. See this link:
How to restore a computer to a previous Windows installation after you
install Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933168

Otherwise it would entail a clean install:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

For hardware you have to look for Vista drivers for it. Check on the
manufacturer's web sites. Sometimes an XP driver will work either fully or
with some limitation in functionality.

For software check with the software authors for updates for Vista
compatibility. Also you can try running the software in compatibility mode.
From Start | Help and Support search on Compatibility.

If you gave some specifics on the hardware and software maybe someone would
be familiar with it and have more specific info.

 

[mikeyhsd]

it might be just as easy to use VPC2007 and run the xp as a guest in a virtual environment.

someone here might be able to help if you post what your problems are with vista.
be sure and include any error messages that occur.



(e-mail address removed)



Is there a way to uninstall Vista and revert back to XP or, at least, a way
to make Vista backwards compatible with previous software and hardware?

 

[Xenomorph]

using third party tools, it's possible to swap back and forth from Vista to
XP.

booting something off a Live CD (such as another copy of Windows, or Linux
w/ NTFS read/write, or something like ERD Commander) will allow you to
rename or move the Vista and XP folders.

what I have done on my system before:

with XP installed
renamed \docume~1 to \olddoc, \progra~1 to \oldprog, \windows to \oldwin

then installed Vista.

going from Vista back to XP may be harder because of NTFS Junctions

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Is there a way to uninstall Vista and revert back to XP or,

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

... at least, a way
to make Vista backwards compatible with previous software....

Have you tried running those incompatible legacy applications in the
pertinent compatiblity mode? From Vista's informative Help & Support:

======================================================================
Make older programs run in this version of Windows

Most programs written for Windows XP also work in this version of
Windows, but some older programs might run poorly or not at all. If a
program written for an earlier version of Windows doesn't run correctly,
use the Program Compatibility Wizard to change the compatibility
settings for the program. To change settings for a program manually, use
the individual program's Compatibility tab.

If changing the settings does not fix the problem, go to the program
manufacturer's website to see if there is an update for the program.

Warning
Do not use the Program Compatibility Wizard on older antivirus programs,
disk utilities, or other system programs because it might cause data
loss or create a security risk.

Run the Program Compatibility Wizard
Click to open the Program Compatibility Wizard.

Follow the instructions in the wizard.

If you cannot install a program, insert the installation disc for the
program and, using the wizard, browse to the program's setup file,
usually called Setup.exe, Install.exe, or something similar. The wizard
is not designed to work on programs that have an .msi file name extension.

Change compatibility settings manually
To change compatibility settings manually for a program, right-click the
icon for the program, click Properties, and then click the Compatibility
tab.

Setting
Description

Compatibility mode
Runs the program using settings from a previous version of Windows.
Try this setting if you know the program is designed for (or worked in)
a specific previous version of Windows.

Run in 256 colors
Uses a limited set of colors in the program. Some older programs are
designed to use fewer colors.

Run in 640 × 480 screen resolution
Runs the program in a smaller-sized window. Try this setting if the
graphical user interface appears jagged or is rendered improperly.

Disable visual themes
Disables themes on the program. Try this setting if you notice
problems with the menus or buttons on the title bar of the program.

Disable desktop composition
Turns off transparency and other advanced display features. Choose
this setting if window movement appears erratic or you notice other
display problems.

Disable display scaling on high DPI settings
Turns off automatic resizing of programs if large-scale font size is
in use. Try this setting if large-scale fonts are interfering with the
appearance of the program. For more information, see Make the text on
your screen larger or smaller and Ways to improve display quality.

Privilege level
Runs the program as an administrator. Some programs require
administrator privileges to run properly. If you are not currently
logged on as an administrator, this option is not available.

Show settings for all users
Lets you choose settings that will apply to all users on this computer.


See also
What is program compatibility?
Program Compatibility Assistant: frequently asked questions
Repair or update a driver
Find Windows-compatible programs

==================================================================

.... and hardware?

Contact the devices' respective manufacturers to obtain
Vista-compatible device drivers. This issue is out of Microsoft's hands.


--

Bruce Chambers

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