How do I remove Windows XP SP2?

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How can I remove Windows XP SP2 when the "run" command can't find the hidden file? It was installed by a computer place and not through Windows Update. I can't find it in "add/remove" through Control Panel, nor System Restore.

There are two ways to get Windows XP SP2. One of them can be removed, and the other cannot.

I'll bet you can see where this is headed, can't you?

And, as you'll see in a moment, you really don't want to remove it anyway.

Windows XP SP2 can be installed either of two ways:

As an update to Windows XP, or Windows XP SP1. That means the system was running without SP2, and it was installed either via Windows Update, or via the Automatic Updates feature. In this case, there is a "before" and an "after", and you can return to that "before" state,usually through uninstalling via Add/Remove programs.
As an integrated part of a fresh install. Once SP2 was released, the changes it contained were integrated directly into new copies of Windows XP. Thus the CDs and other installation media simply install copy of Windows XP with SP2 already incorporated. In a case like this, there is no "before". The machine has SP2 included from the beginning, and there's no way to go back, because there's nothing to go back to.

"Typically when there are issues with SP2 ... it's because there was a problem with the upgrade..."

If your machine arrived with SP2 already installed by the computer store, I would bet that that's exactly what they installed ... a copy of Windows XP with SP2 already integrated.

In my opinion, this is a good thing. Typically when there are issues with SP2 that might cause someone to want to install it, it's because there was a problem with the upgrade, or the state of the machine prior to the upgrade. In your case, there was no upgrade, SP2 was there from the beginning. That implies that any problems you are experiencing are not likely to be SP2 related.

If you are absolutely, positively, dead set on removing SP2, the only way I know to do it would be to find and install a copy of Windows XP that did not have SP2 integrated, make darned sure you have replacements for all the security enhancements that SP2 provides, and make sure not to take SP2 as an automatic update.

But I really don't recommend it.

I mean, I really, really don't recommend it.

In my opinion SP2 remains a very good thing, and an important part of keeping your computer safe and secure.

Related:

Ask Leo! - Will SP2 Crash my machine?
Ask Leo! - How do I keep my computer safe on the internet?

Windows XP in the Ask Leo! Store

Article 9977 | Posted March 4, 2006

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Recent Comments

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

Posted by: Connie at December 13, 2006 03:06 PM

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

Posted by: Jim at December 24, 2006 01:01 PM

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

Posted by: JIM at July 26, 2007 11:48 AM

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....

Posted by: Angelica at August 4, 2007 03:27 PM

Posted by: Angelica at August 4, 2007 03:30 PM

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

Posted by: shaz at March 21, 2008 01:24 PM

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

Posted by: indrajit at July 3, 2008 06:01 AM

-----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
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Posted by: Leo at July 3, 2008 01:32 PM

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!!

Posted by: Dawn at July 21, 2008 05:21 AM

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

Posted by: donald at August 18, 2008 11:05 AM

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