Install older version of Windows over Windows XP?

Question

My laptop came with annoying Windows XP, and I've bought some (old) games that won't run on windows XP, I've tried downloading fixes, but they won't work. A lot of the support sites are suggesting that I install an older version of Windows. I have a Windows 95 CD, but it tells me to install from DOS. Thing is, Windows XP doesn't have DOS, does it? How can I install them both side by side without buying some multiboot software thing? I have both versions, legally, surely I can install them together? Can someone please help me, I've been dying to try my new game and this complicated stuff is driving me insane!!

Answer 1

If you want to run older DOS games under XP try DosBox. Link below. Also install the D-Fend frontend
That should do the trick, it works for me.
Don't even consider installing an older version of Windows, they're very insecure compared to XP.

Answer 2

You cannot install it over XP. If you don't want XP then reformat the drive and install Windows 95. Of course, you will lose everything. Otherwise reformat the drive and make two partitions. On one, install XP and on the other, Windows 95. The boot partition must be formatted as FAT. The system partitions can be formatted based on the OS.

Answer 3

u can not install older version of windows on the latest one but u can seaprately install the old version the procedure is a bit long i dont have enough time to get all that for u sorry about that
but
u can can do one thing if u want to run some application which is not working on the latest one
right click on the application or a shortcut of the application u want to run on the old version of windows

selcect>>properties>>>compatibility>>>and select in which mode do u want to run

i hope this helps

Answer 4

You don't want to downgrade Windows XP even if you could without formatting (also if you are using NTFS formnatting on the harddrive Win95 will not be able to use it).
Simliar to one of the other answers, I would suggest using a virtual machine. Rather than dosbox, personally I would go with QEmu.
http://www.h7.dion.ne.jp/~qemu-win
It will let you create a "virtual" Win95 machine that runs in a window (or full screen if you choose) on Windows XP.

Answer 5

Windows XP is way better, but I don't know what ur problem is w/ the games, all games from all other Windows are on my XP. Anyway, you can download older Windows games from the net, but I would definitely stick w/ XP

Answer 6

Think of XP as Windows NT in consumer coating, take it from there, NT was indeed designed to co-exist with DOS.

Technically, Windows NT starts off the bat differently from DOS. You likely need Partition Magic or similar software for the first stage of your project: repartition.

Note: DOS/Windows 9x assumes it is one and only system installed, only XP/NT does indeed having designed for co-existing, it does so by wrapping part of DOS bootup within itself.

Answer 7

The only way i know how to is with Lilo boot, or even going from like WinME to Win2K...Win2K used to have an option for a dual boot system.

Honestly, I would find a newer game to play...you will be happier in the long run.

Answer 8

in case you attempt to downgrade - it is, you opt for to alter residing house windows variations, yet shop all your archives in place, shop your consumer names, and generic settings like community & printers.. -- it is particularly complicated. you're extra advantageous off to Wipe the no longer common disk & reinstall. in case you purely desire an older version of residing house windows, and don't care approximately different archives / shoppers / settings -- or in case you are able to shop that stuff one after the other, then you rather do no longer strategies putting it returned later: shop what you like (backup) then wipe & reinstall. there is yet another answer - see below For now, "wipe and reinstall" skill: a million) get something that show you how to boot and format yourpersistent. in case you boot out of your residing house windows setup CD, there is an element that show you how to format the partition. try this, then reboot with the older verison of residing house windows you opt for to place in. 2) any previous Win98 or DOS boot floppy - boot to that, and returned format your no longer common disk. Then load the version of residing house windows you like put in. 3) get carry of something unfastened & good like DBAN (Darik's Boot-and-Nuke). Create the floppy or CD as properly from, use that as properly the device, and run DBAN to do an entire wipe (extra extreme than purely a format) of your no longer easypersistent. Then, like others - get the deploy disk for what you like put in. exchange answer: Get a miles less costly / on sale / alternative no longer common disk to your device. eliminate your contemporary no longer common disk - saving all your courses & documents with out any attempt. replace it with the (new-er) sparkling no longer common disk, then deploy notwithstanding version of residing house windows you like. in case you ever desire archives from the previous no longer common disk, you are able to exchange drives and purely use the device love it is on the instant, or you are able to connect the oldpersistent as a "slave" or as an exterior USBpersistent (with a $15 adapter). stable luck with your challenge!

Answer 9

you will find the answer straight from microsoft itself here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/multiboot.mspx