Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
Windows XP is no longer being officially sold by Microsoft. There are copies available, but you need to be careful.
I never got a Windows XP setup CD and now I want to reformat and reinstall it. My machine can't handle Windows 7, so how do I go about getting a Windows XP disk?
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There's no doubt that the sun is setting on Windows XP, but that doesn't mean that it's dead. At the beginning of this year, there were still more machines running XP than all other operating system combined!
If you find yourself in a situation where you absolutely need a Windows installation disc and your computer didn't come with one, your options are very limited indeed.
Well, your legitimate and legal options are, that is.
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Retail
Some larger retail stores still carry Windows XP. Or they will until they run out.
For example, as I write this, Amazon has copies of Windows XP Home Full and Windows XP Pro Full editions. Upgrade and other editions also appear to be available.
Other retail outlets may have copies as well.
The good news: Amazon is a reputable source and XP is available.
The bad news: it's expensive.
Online Auctions
Or, more specifically, eBay.
I've hesitated to recommend eBay or the secondary market in general because of the risk of fraud and/or not really getting what you think you are.
As retail copies of Windows XP dwindle in supply, however, my assistant convinced me that it's time to consider the alternative with these caveats:
... if you stick to a seller with a few hundred or thousand sales, not purchases, and close to 100% satisfaction, the seller is not usually going to jeopardize his reputation with a pirate copy. In addition to that, if you pay with PayPal, you can get a refund pretty easily if the software turns out to be bogus.
Those are actually good guidelines for purchasing from eBay in general, but they are particularly appropriate in this situation.
What NOT to get
Don't buy OEM versions if at all possible.
You want full retail products.
The difference is simple: OEM versions of Windows are licensed only for sale with the original machine that they came with. Selling them again is in violation of that licence and illegal. I believe that many OEM copies of Windows on the market are nothing more than the disks that shipped with a machine containing a pre-installed copy of Windows. They may never have been needed, but they were sold with that machine and only that machine.
You can usually tell OEM discs by the packaging - they're often in sleeves with the computer manufacturer's name on it and the discs themselves are often printed with the manufacturer's identification.
Legalities aside, there's a very good chance that an OEM copy of Windows won't work on computers other than the brand, specific line, or model that it was intended for.
If you must purchase an OEM copy, at least make sure that the seller has a good refund policy if it doesn't work and that the copy that you buy matches the computer that you intend to use it on.
What you won't get
As I said, the sun is setting on Windows XP. As a result, one thing that you won't get is support from Microsoft.
You'll get a very limited number of security updates for a while, but you're on your own for the most part.
That might well be acceptable but it's important to know that going in.
As always, it's worth considering an upgrade to Windows 7 or hardware that supports Windows 7. If all else fails, you might consider some of the free Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu.
Article C4866 - July 6, 2011
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
you can also run belarc advisor on your machine, it will output the codes and registry key associated with the installation you currently have. Using any other XP CD with YOUR code and registry key is legal. You will also get the keys for all other software currently on your machine to reinstall as well, regardless of whether you have the original packaging and keys stored and handy.
Posted by: WBrown at July 12, 2011 2:57 PMI was working for the government when XP was issued free to all Government departments with no restriction of machines loaded as it had the unrestricted activation code which could be used for all eternity. I kept this original disk, backed it up add infinitum and use it still today. This was a blatent mistake really by MS as now they are stuck with having to support it until such time as they officially declare they will not. Even when they will not support it, it is still an unrestricted legal copy the world can use as it's released garenteed to everyone that it is LEGAL and can be given away to anyone to use [ it can even be upgraded free to 3 ].
Posted by: john neeting at July 12, 2011 5:32 PMA stupendous 1st issue blunder by MS which they regret but it's too late. There are 3 official copies of this XP with 3 activation codes which went viral on the net when it was given to all government departments. Smartpeople kept these copies even when they left the department [ like me ] It's the only, unrestricted FREE copy of XP in existance today.
Hi there, firstly thanks for all the good info I get from you, very much appreciated.
Regards this specific subject, 2 points.
1) Amazon is not failsafe. I bought a full version of XP at about US$250 or so. It arrived in the correct box with the hologram. When I installed it I was told it was not genuine by the Microsoft genuine checker thinggy. I went back to the seller, no reply. I went back to Amazon and they said they could not help as the purchase was more than 90 days old. What to do ?. I contacted Microsoft and had to go thru a whole bunch of hassles, install the software again, check genuine or not. Only then can you make an official claim to Microsoft. Eventually after 6 months I did receive a replacement.
2) Over the years I have bought several OEM versions not locked to any particular computer. They are much cheaper than buying a 'full' version and all have worked perfectly, no problems at all.
Posted by: Tony at July 12, 2011 6:58 PMCheers.
I had two used Dell laptops; one given to me and one which I bought as non-working. It wasn't too hard to get Dell to provide XP OEM disks for one. For the other, I had to jump through major hoops to get it. It seems that Dell does not have a good process in place for transfer of ownership. A Dell PC seems to be tied forever to the original owner, so if you want anything, you better know who that was. I did pay a nominal fee for both (around $20). Don't lose your original install disks, especially if you computer is getting old. It could be difficult to get replacement disks for the OS and drivers. I would love to convert all my systems to Windows 7, but the hardware won't support it or it is just too expensive.
Posted by: David at July 25, 2011 8:52 PMI am another luddite who will only leave XP when forced to do so at gun point. I also never buy branded PCs, prefering to have my machines spec built to my requirements and supplied totally software free. I purchased an OEM copy of XP about 6 years ago (with a spec build box), and have since installed it on 3 different machines (one at a time so there is ever only one copy running) with absolutely no problems apart from several hours pulling all the updates down from Microsoft. To the best of y knowledge, this is perfectly legal, and there are still loads of OEM copies available. Most suppliers will insist that you buy some piece of computer equipment as they are not allowed to sell just the disc and Microsoft will terminate their license if the get caught doing it..Good luck
Posted by: DaveC at August 4, 2011 9:05 AM