What is best way to upgrade existing XP Home to XP Pro?

[Jeff]

I bought a computer with XP Home version on it before I
realized that I needed XP Professional. What is the best
(cheapest and legal) way to upgrade to the PRofessional
version? Can I buy the XP Pro upgrade from XP Home for
less than it costs to upgrade from ME/2000? ANy issues
when doing an upgrade from XP Home to XP Pro?

Thanks.

 

[Steve C. Ray]

Purchase the Pro Upgrade.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

1. Purchase the conventional "retail upgrade version" of XP Pro.
2. Uninstall any third-party antivirus or firewall programs.
3. Disconnect all peripheral hardware devices, but not the monitor, keyboard or mouse.
4. While at your XP Home desktop screen, insert the XP Pro CD in the CD drive.
5. Select the default "Upgrade" option....do not select "New Installation".
6. Defrag your drive after upgrading.
7. Reinstall your antivirus program & turn-on the firewall.
8. Visit the Windows Update website and download the necessary updates.

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

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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| I bought a computer with XP Home version on it before I
| realized that I needed XP Professional. What is the best
| (cheapest and legal) way to upgrade to the PRofessional
| version? Can I buy the XP Pro upgrade from XP Home for
| less than it costs to upgrade from ME/2000? ANy issues
| when doing an upgrade from XP Home to XP Pro?
|
| Thanks.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

I bought a computer with XP Home version on it before I
realized that I needed XP Professional. What is the best
(cheapest and legal) way to upgrade to the PRofessional
version?

Unfortunately, it is not a matter of the *best* way; there is
essentially only one way: buy and install the XP Professional
upgrade version. You can also use the Full version (not the OEM
version), but it costs more.

Can I buy the XP Pro upgrade from XP Home for
less than it costs to upgrade from ME/2000?

No. There is no such version. There is only a single upgrade
version.

ANy issues
when doing an upgrade from XP Home to XP Pro?

It's the easiest and most often successful of all possible
upgrades, but that doesn't mean nothing can go wrong. It's
prudent to make sure you have a backup of anything you can't
afford to lose.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I bought a computer with XP Home version on it before I
realized that I needed XP Professional. What is the best
(cheapest and legal) way to upgrade to the PRofessional
version? Can I buy the XP Pro upgrade from XP Home for
less than it costs to upgrade from ME/2000?

No - you have to use that one. You run it from the existing system,
starting INstall and continuing with Upgrade