While Vista is the most up to date operating system from Microsoft, many in the private and business sectors are less-than-pleased with its reliability, features and performance. For many, Windows XP has been a reliable, safe operating system to use offering enhanced performance and compatibility with the vast majority of network components and software. If you bought Windows Vista and installed it on a computer that once had XP and are now unsatisfied with the results, here are some tips on how to replace Vista with XP.

Replacing Vista with XP

In order to replace Vista with XP, you should have the following tools:

  1. A copy of or your original XP installation disk
  2. A boot disk which can be downloaded from BootDisk
  3. A back-up of all your important files that you would like to keep from the transfer. During this process, you will be reformatting the hard drive, so you will lose all data that is stored on the hard drive.How do i replace vista with XP

For those that upgraded their computer from XP to Vista and would like to revert back to XP, here are the instructions to follow:

Before you start the process, go into your BIOS settings and ensure that your CD-ROM drive has the highest drive priority and not the disk drive or some other drive.

Step 1. Start up your computer with the Windows XP installation disk in the CDROM drive

Step 2. The setup screen will appear. Type R to repair an existing installation

Step 3. Now type the following: fixboot C: (it should be noted that C is the drive which has Vista loaded. If another drive is the one with Vista, use the corresponding letter)

Step 4. Type fixmbr C:

Step 5. Type EXIT

Step 6. You can now close your Windows XP setup. Once closed, restart your computer with the bootable floppy or CD bootdisk that was mentioned above.

Step 7. Once your bootdisk is loaded, you will be at the command prompt. Type the following: format C: (This will erase your entire hard drive so make sure all important data is backed up).

Step 8. Insert your Windows XP installation CD into your CDROM and restart the computer.

Step 9. Follow the prompts and install Windows XP as usual. Once complete, Vista will no longer be your operating system and you will have successfully reinstalled Windows XP.