Unistall XP Pro

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Guest

Machine 1 has XP home (activated, but dont have the disk) and I loaded XP Pro
- but did not activate it yet. I want to uninstall it, going back to XP Home
(again, don't have the disk) to put the XP Pro on another machine, without
any XP. Is there a way to uninstall XP Pro without formatting the drive? -
to return to the original XP Home? Thanks for any help. EK
 
Once installed, the only way to uninstall Windows XP Professional
is to reformat the hard drive partition you installed it on. The easier
alternative is to purchase another Product Key so you can activate it.

If you already have a retail copy of Windows XP, you can obtain
additional licenses for another computer or laptop by visiting the
following Microsoft Web site:
http://shop.microsoft.com/special/wal/walinfo.asp

Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246/en-us

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

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

:

| Machine 1 has XP home (activated, but dont have the disk) and I loaded XP Pro
| - but did not activate it yet. I want to uninstall it, going back to XP Home
| (again, don't have the disk) to put the XP Pro on another machine, without
| any XP. Is there a way to uninstall XP Pro without formatting the drive? -
| to return to the original XP Home? Thanks for any help. EK
| --
| Become your own hero by attacking a task that you think you CAN''''T.
 
EmyKay said:
Machine 1 has XP home (activated, but dont have the disk) and I
loaded XP Pro - but did not activate it yet. I want to uninstall
it, going back to XP Home (again, don't have the disk) to put the
XP Pro on another machine, without any XP. Is there a way to
uninstall XP Pro without formatting the drive? - to return to the
original XP Home? Thanks for any help. EK
Click to expand...

No.
There is no "downgrade" option from Professional to Home.
It is a format/install situation.

Depending on the type of license it was (OEM, Upgrade or full Retail) - you
may be able to get a copy of a friend's CD and use your CD key (if you still
have that) to install with.
 
Not good news - I see! But thanks to both of you, at least I know now. I DO
have the key, but not the CD, and it is an Hp e-pc, so I 'spect that I will
need to go to them for the CD. I still have 25 days before the XP Pro
expires, so I guess I will have to keep it on the HP. Thanks, again. EK
 
EmyKay said:
Machine 1 has XP home (activated, but dont have the disk) and I loaded XP Pro
- but did not activate it yet. I want to uninstall it, going back to XP Home
(again, don't have the disk) to put the XP Pro on another machine, without
any XP. Is there a way to uninstall XP Pro without formatting the drive? -
to return to the original XP Home? Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...

Cheapest way is the "borrow" a generic OEM cd and install from scratch
using the KeyID on the sticker on the computer. This is not the "official
line" from M$ but no one has been challanged in court, as far as I know.
If I am wrong, site reference. That way your copy of XPP would be
legal on another computer.

OEM restore cd's are nice to have but not always necessary. I have
found that when one can get the appropriate drivers for all the hardware,
installing from generic cd's is better/easier for customization.

Next time make sure you mention whether the cd/KeyID is Ret, OEM, Upg or
Vol. The answers can be more specific.

later,
charles.....
 
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