Comments for How do I remove Windows XP SP2?

Comment from RIchard on 2009-01-14

2009-01-14T20:29:39Z

What are the steps to wipe and operating system off a computer totally...

Install a new OS or use DBAN to erase everything.

- Leo
15-Jan-2009

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A comment on: How do I remove Windows XP SP2?

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Comment from edzz on 2008-12-22

2008-12-22T21:11:57Z

Hi How can i do to Stop/remove Windows Xp Activation?

By activating. Once you've done so it should go away.

- Leo
23-Dec-2008

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A comment on: How do I remove Windows XP SP2?

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Comment from donald on 2008-08-18

2008-08-18T18:05:51Z

IM trying to format my c drive and tells me i cant because i have a newer version on computer now.how do i format c drive with newer version .

don

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A comment on: How do I remove Windows XP SP2?

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Comment from Dawn on 2008-07-21

2008-07-21T12:21:34Z

I have acquired a virus "antivirus xp 2008" and it is invading everything on my laptop. I think i need to uninstall my windows xp pro and i guess I need to reformat and then reinstall. It appears that it is some big secret process. No where on the web are there any directions on how to uninstall and reformat. Can you help me????????? My add remove file does not have windows xp on the list so i can remove it. Help!!

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A comment on: How do I remove Windows XP SP2?

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Comment from Leo on 2008-07-03

2008-07-03T20:32:48Z

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

I've never heard of an SP 2 *demo*. If it's SP2, I'd just
live with it. Or I'd install SP3.

If you MUST have SP1, and SP2 is not listed in Add/Remove
programs as removable, your only option is to reinstall
Windows.

Leo

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Version: GnuPG v1.4.7 (MingW32)

iD8DBQFIbTdpCMEe9B/8oqERAgLgAJ9r7jC7tYB20gEcZ3g8ZNbpZJjgHACePT92
XHEhpcvaMlG9hujlbLuppNU=
=2KRB
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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A comment on: How do I remove Windows XP SP2?

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Comment from indrajit on 2008-07-03

2008-07-03T13:01:11Z

i want to install original windows xp sp1 to my laptop but service agent install xp sp2 demo, what i will do ???

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Comment from shaz on 2008-03-21

2008-03-21T20:24:00Z

I've been getting a LOT of blue screens, starting a year ago, and it's reached the point where it looks like I MUST reformat. I have an HP Compaq Presario 2199US laptop, and today received replacemet setup XP and driver disks. I've also got a link to a program called "killdisk" from HP. I know I've tried to reformat a couple of years ago (I think I used the repair option) and received the message "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD." As my new disks only contain the updates thru SP1, I'm just looking for some advice before reformatting, which I DREAD doing. I've backed up my docs to an online storage device. Is there anything else I need to do? I WAS using ZoneAlarm, which caused a lot of program conflicts (couldn't use msn at the same time w/o crashing). I got the blue screen about 10 times yesterday after running chkdsk, which showed numerous errors.
Question: am I correct in my thinking that I must totally reformat? if not, what then? and if so, what else do I need to do before taking this drastic step?

And I've read all your advice.. is there any way to install SP2 on the new setup disk, or do I need to just redownload all updates?

Thanks so much for any advice!
shaz

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Comment from Angelica on 2007-08-04

2007-08-04T22:30:32Z

Hi Leo,I've tried to reformat my windows xp.I even insert the windows xp cd-rom but my pc doesnt show anything.. It stated boot from cd-rom but nothing happen.When i start windows,the error msg was "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM.Can you please please help me....

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Comment from Angelica on 2007-08-04

2007-08-04T22:27:41Z

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Comment from JIM on 2007-07-26

2007-07-26T18:48:40Z

Ok, i am confused here.. i got a windows xp pro disk today, tried installing it, the windows came up then i click install , then i get this message Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD.

Warning: If you decide to delete the newer version of Windows that is currently installed on your computer, the files and settings cannot be recovered.

i am currently using xp home, but when i try to activate it, it says i exceeded the amount of times..so i cant activate it. i tried looking in add remove but xp unistall isnt there..help.. thanx

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Comment from Jim on 2006-12-24

2006-12-24T21:01:26Z

I have a similar problem, except with one difference. I downloaded the service pack and because of problems with programs I decided to uninstall it. Uninstall went fine until the reboot.
The computer hung on the reboot and did not complete the uninstall. After I manually rebooted I checked the ADD/Remove programs and SP2 was there But, when I checked the sp2 files the uninstall program was not there. Now there is no way to uninstall it again and since I have a pre sp2 cd I can't repair thru windows install without creating a slipstreamed disk. If you have any help for those of us in this situation it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

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Comment from Connie on 2006-12-13

2006-12-13T23:06:18Z

I have alot of music videos i have burnt to data ever since sp2 icant play no mpeg or mpg files do i need to uninstall sp2 or is there another way to fix this problem

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Comment from Jardiel on 2006-11-20

2006-11-21T05:22:13Z

Hi again, Mr Leo.
Thank you for your answer.
You're right; I didn't make myself clear. I actually want to reformat my HDD. I had never done this from WinXP SP2 but from previous versions. I didn't find such an answer in your site or in Microsoft's, so there was my missing nuance.
Let me clarify this: I was looking for some "step by step" instructions aplicable to my situation. But as I researched, it could be unlikely to be found.
Thank you anyway. Your site seems to be most helpful for many people, and it is very nice to see you sincerely trying answer every question and sharing your knowledge.

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Comment from Leo Notenboom on 2006-11-19

2006-11-20T04:34:42Z

Apparently you have not read the article, because the question is answered clearly. SP2 cannot be "uninstalled" from an integrated installation.

Your question actually makes no sense. Why uninstall anything if you're just going to reformat? Reformatting will erase everything - Windows, SP2, all your apps, etc..

Perhaps I'm missing some nuance of your situation?

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Comment from Jardiel Campos on 2006-11-19

2006-11-19T08:55:52Z

Hi there Mr Leo,
I need to uninstall my Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 "integrated" (according to your definition) and then reformat my Hard Drive. And YES, I want to go through whatever hassle I must to get my PC just the way I had it when I just built it 4 months ago.
And NO, you have NOT yet answered this question.
Now; Do you know how to do that?
Would you please tell me how to do it?
Million thanks in advance.
J.C.

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Comment from Peyman on 2006-11-14

2006-11-14T15:45:07Z

I don’t know, but my problem could be an incomplete or faulty installation from a CD may the root of my problems, such as the sudden validation trouble.

Why I say faulty or incomplete, because in the control panel, “system” , it does show SP2 installed.
Yet there are many things missing, such as windows firewall, or that red shield in the quick launch menu ( pertaining to firewall, automatic windows update/AV ).
And my internet explorer 7 suddenly vanished, and even the previous version does not function properly !!

I have tried the different suggestions made at microsoft’s website, which are:
1- In “Add or remove programs” and “updates” slot checked, I remove it.
But in MY computer, after checking the “updates” box, the SP2 does NOT show !!
Therefore, I cannot remove it by this means.

2- after installation of this SP2, all the previous “restore points” in my comp, have been wiped clean, so I do not have any date prior to the installation date to restore my comp to !!

3- I have also tried typing the following .exe program, in the “run” program , but the message says it cannot find the SP2 folder !!!
c:\windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe

Please help me remove the current SP2 update, so I can download the proper SP2 update directly from the Microsoft website.
I do NOT want to use the CD again ( for obvious reasons ).

Thank you

Peyman

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Comment from Peyman on 2006-11-14

2006-11-14T15:43:22Z

I don’t know, but my problem could be an incomplete or faulty installation from a CD may the root of my problems, such as the sudden validation trouble.

2- after installation of this SP2, all the previous “restore points” in my comp, have been wiped clean, so I do not have any date prior to the installation date to restore my comp to !!

3- I have also tried typing the following .exe program, in the “run” program , but the message says it cannot find the SP2 folder !!!
c:\windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe

Please help me remove the current SP2 update, so I can download the proper SP2 update directly from the Microsoft website.
I do NOT want to use the CD again ( for obvious reasons ).

Thank you

Peyman

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Comment from Leo Notenboom on 2006-11-12

2006-11-13T04:28:43Z

That is correct. In almost all cases removing SP2 is a futile attempt to resolve other underlying issues.

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Comment from anonymous on 2006-11-12

2006-11-12T19:38:25Z

how helpful, people ask how to remove it and he replies that you shouldn't...

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Comment from rob on 2006-10-24

2006-10-25T05:10:05Z

thinking i would be smart i attempted to install XP from sp2 cd on wife's computer. Found out too late that it will overwrite 98 and all info lost. Can't use repair fix methods described elsewhere because computer not configured to start up with cd. can't get rid of the continual cycle of f3, restart, etc. Just want 98 back and not the pernicious, wormlike sp2.

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Comment from Leo Notenboom on 2006-09-27

2006-09-27T17:28:31Z

The biggest issue is that you will no longer have many of the security updates that SP2 includes, and will be at risk from various forms of malware.

Rather than uninstalling it, if it's really causing you that many problems, I recommend a reinstall of Windows with SP2 (either a Windows CD that has it already, or an immediate application of SP2 onto a clean Windows install.)

Many, if not most, of SP2's problems are traced to problems that were on the machine before it was installed. A clean install of Windows avoids those issues.

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Comment from darthmilon on 2006-09-27

2006-09-27T17:10:17Z

I recently installed SP2 and it's just caused too many problems. I do have the option of uninstalling it in my control panel. If I uninstall SP2, will I need to reinstall SP1? What problems can occur if I uninstall SP2?

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Comment from bj on 2006-09-17

2006-09-18T04:52:22Z

I want to delete XP SP2. I downloaded it, tried to install it, and it gives an error message during the install saying there is a a corrupt file. How do i delete the uninstalled SP2 so that I can download a new copy? The microsoft update website tells me I already have the SP2 downloaded, so I cant get a fresh copy.

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Comment from Ray Talamantez on 2006-04-24

2006-04-24T22:34:47Z

how do i uninstall Win xp i just want a blank hard drive so i can start clean and maybe install windows 98 and Linux i just want to install both or eighter one for practice.

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Comment from Leo A. Notenboom on 2006-04-15

2006-04-15T14:48:30Z

Please read the article.

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Comment from brett reingold on 2006-04-14

2006-04-15T02:56:12Z

Hi. I am having trouble removing xp sp2. I tried several ways from the microsoft website. it didnt work. There is nothing that says xp2 in the control panel remove section even under hidden files. Nothing in the recvovery area. There is a ton of hotfixes and windows updates...but nothing that sp2. How do i get rid of this irritating update? PLease help, thanks

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