downgrade from vista home premium

[badsilver696]

I bought a new laptop which came with vista home premium... i don't like it all, i have always preferred xp, need to know if i can downgrade to xp, and most important if the information i have stored in there will be wiped out? for example programs, media, ... and can i use the xp upgrade or do i need to buy the complete xp program...? thanks for your advised and responses...

 

[cjelec]

Vista is hole different system to XP so you will need to buy the XP full install disk. You could backup files that you need onto disks but the programs will be lost as they are installed for vista, there shouldn't be a problem reinstalling them once you have XP installed.

Upgrades are as the name suggests, go upwards in versions not downwards...

 

[TheLad]

If you do go for a reinstallation of XP, you will need to ensure that drivers ara available for your hardware. Manufacturers do not tend to publish the fact that there are XP drivers available for their new hardware as they want everyone to use Vista so it is worth checking to make sure you can get the drivers first.

As mentioned above, you will have to do a fresh install of XP, your Windows license may also not be valid for XP so you need to check that too.

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[linney]

Some clues and past stories here.

How to install Windows XP over Vista
faq779-6713

How to restore a computer to a previous Windows installation after you install Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933168/en-us#appliesto

Downgrading from Vista to XP
thread1583-1350480

Using DBAN
thread1583-1373898

XP Drivers for a Gateway w/Vista?
thread779-1329243: XP Drivers for a Gateway w/Vista?

How can I install Win XP Pro SP2 on a Vista Pre-installed PC ?
thread779-1373663

Vista OS to xp pro OS?
thread779-1375858

Need help looking for XP drivers for Gateway MT6834b
thread779-1426529

 

[w1nn3r]

There's good news and bad news, the good news is that MS has a downgradability path from vista back to XP.

http://download.microsoft.com/downl...cbd-699b0c164182/royaltyoemreferencesheet.pdf

The bad news is that your version of vista isnt eligible. Time to buy a copy of XP I'm afraid.