How to format laptop from vista to xp

To downgrade to XP from Vista, you have to basically delete the whole hard disk that installed with Vista, and start anew with XP. However, each system configuration is different, so you may have to adapt the steps to suit your own need. Note: If the setup does not allow you to delete or format the Vista partition or drive, you will need to find a third party software that can recognize and read NTFS filesystem to clear the drive or partition first.

You will also need a XP product key even if you legally can downgrade from Vista Ultimate or Business edition. You can also create a second partition with disk management utilities such as Acronis Director or Partition Magic, and then move the data files to the new partition. Ensure that also you have CD or DVD setup media for the software applications that you want to install and use after wiping off your system from Vista.

Run through the setup wizard at per normal. However, when prompting for where to install Windows Vista, delete by pressing D and then confirmation , create and format the Vista disk drive or partition if you have multiple partition.

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Everything You Need to Know. How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. NOTE: This step will destroy all of your data! Make sure all of your files are backed-up. Nothing has been changed before this step. You will have to remove the Windows Vista partition in order to install windows XP. If you see another good sized partition couple of gigs near the primary partition this is most likely your recovery partition.

You can choose whether or not you want to keep this. Then hit C to create a new partition. You will want to format it with NTFS and the quick option to save time. Once the format is complete, the normal windows XP setup will commence. Just input the default settings and you're good to go. Now that the setup has completed you'll need to install the drivers that you downloaded from the internet.

The device manager is your friend here. It will tell you about all the system devices and what drivers it couldn't find. Hopefully everything has gone well, And you are sitting with a fresh clean install of Windows XP. If not, try searching the internet for your specific problem. Remember you are not the only one who is doing this. Chances are there is a good solution out there. If all else fails, you can always reinstall using your Vista CD or recovery discs.

Before connecting to the Internet and checking your E-mail, you'll want to secure your windows installation by installing an anti virus and anti-spyware software. I recommend You can activate windows xp easily if you are willing to spend a little money buying a cheap product key, this site: www. Reply 12 years ago on Introduction.

Reply 11 years ago on Introduction. Reply 10 years ago on Introduction. Reply 8 years ago on Introduction. Reply 14 years ago on Introduction. Hey, Vista is cool, just slow. You can customize XP to look like Vista, and then you get cool looks and speed. Sorry to break it to you, old chap, but Windows 7 more than likely sucks real bad, Ubuntu is cool, though.

As someone currently using 7, and a beta-tester of 7, it doesn't suck. Very smooth, powerful, and doesn't eat resources like a child munching candy. That said, I dual boot Windows 7 and Ubuntu. For fun. Yeah, a friend recently got a Windows 7 computer. It is pretty sweet, sorta like Vista on roids. I was making my comment by experience with Vista.

Vista is really only good for graphics, sometimes. Vista sucks, but 7 takes XP's stability and raw power and combines it with the classy look of Vista, then tosses in a few goodies as well.

Let's face it, with my system far from top-of-the-line , I'm able to run Windows 7 without any issues. And then you've got a great little compatibility mode for those programs that just refuse to run correctly.