How do you downgrade to Windows XP if your computer came with Vista?

Question

Do you just by XP from the store? Or is it better to just turn of features of Vista?
Thank You

Answer 1

Buy a copy of XP and install it. Before you do so, go to the web site of the company that makes the computer and download the XP versions of the drivers for it, for things like the screen, wifi, network, etc. Otherwise these things won't work once you switch to XP.

Answer 2

To go back to XP you will need an XP installation CD.

First, enter the BIOS and set the CD drive so that it comes before the hard drive in the boot sequence. Next, put the XP CD into the CD drive and restart your system, and then just let XP install.

But I think if you just turn off some of the security features that come with Vista, you will like it much better. The first is that damn "privilage" warning window called "user control". To rid yourself of the anoying thing, right click My Computer and choose "Properties". In the bottom left corner of the screen that open, click "Security Center". In the Windows Security Center, click "Other securty settings, and turn off "User Controls". That should take care of that, but you will now get a little warning shield in the tray, ignore it.

Do a little digging around and you will find other stuff that you can turn off or tweak so that Vista suites your needs better.

I've been using Vista since last February, and have had no problems. It seems to get a little better with each update. But then, that's how it was with XP way back in the beginning. XP took about a year and the first service pack before it ran worth a damn.

Good luck and good computing.

Answer 3

Depending on when and where you purchased your Vista Hell system, most retailers will either exchange for XP or for a fee install XP. In installing XP the retailer might partition your Hard Drive and tuck Vista off in the corner, for use later if Microsoft ever figures out how to make it work.

Disabling features could leave you with a crippled O/S, which is Vista.

If you have no success with the retailer you purchased it from recommend you visit your local independent computer shop, for XP upgrade. They will be a lot less $$ than the retailer you purchased your system from.

Answer 4

You don't downgrade to XP they are basically two different systems. You will need to get a copy of XP and install it. Maybe I'm just more computer savvy than most but I have no problems with Vista. You might as well get used to it because it's not going away. From the original release of XP the fixes, modifications and upgrades ended up being twice as large as the original program. Don't get me wrong, I hate Microsoft anything but Vista is here to stay and if you don't learn it your going to get left behind. Ask those people still waiting for DOS 3.0 to make a comeback.

Answer 5

Yeah you cant really just turn vista off. Youre going to have to buy a copy of windows XP and install it on your computer. However since it came with Vista already on it check around for drivers because not alot of computers these days will have drivers available for you to download so that your computer can work with Vista - they dont want you changing it. Also i would look into your manufacurers terms of agreement because some manufacturers will void your warranty if you try to go back and mess your computer up. So take caution.... As for the drivers one thing that you could try if you cant find yours is to use the drivers of a previous version of the system you have. Well good luck and think it through.

Answer 6

If you want to install XP you have to completely wipe the hard disk and install XP, You can not simply pop in a disk and load it. You will need a key to activate XP when your finished installing it. You may also have trouble finding all the drivers because pc's made for vista the makers might not have drivers for XP

You can depending on the size of your hard drive, dual boot with both XP and Vista using Vista's own partition manager.

Answer 7

You need a copy of XP, Yes buy it from the store. You can not turn off enough features to make Vista stable like XP.

Answer 8

You must have a legit copy of XP. Once you have legal copy of XP (Certificate of Authenticity and all). Basdically it is going to have format the hard drive, then it will load XP on the computer.

There is one thing you should know, use a legit copy of XP. If you do not, what is going to happen is that XP will only let you use certain features (it will not allow other features to work) of XP then it will not let you use any further then a few minutes. Right now A legit copy of XP is going for about $114.00.

Answer 9

Vista is different than windows xp in some cases, like some drivers & compatibility of some program. so download xp from internet & format the hard

Answer 10

that depends on type of installation you want: if you want clean installation then just buy a CD Windows XP SP2 and do clean install.

because VISTa and XP are two different OS, so you better off with the clean installation