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XP Q&A

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Great question that has been popping up all over the internet. XP users concerned about having to upgrade.

Courtesy Guy R. Briggs: Q: My company just bought me a Dell Vostro PC, with the Windows XP “downgrade” installed at my request instead of Windows Vista. If in a year’s time I do my annual PC-cleansing routine of FORMAT C:, OS re-install, patch/update and Acronis image, what am I going to have to do to get a machine that works?

Dell gave me both Vista and XP installer CDs. Will I have to install Vista first?

A: The short answer is “no,” meaning there is no need to install Vista first. The XP installation CD that Dell gave you works like any other XP installation CD. You install XP, enter the product key and activate it. Microsoft will continue to do activations until extended support expires in 2014, perhaps longer.

Two things to be careful of: (1) you need the product key, so make sure you keep it in a safe place, and (2) make sure you’re installing XP on the same machine.

Microsoft’s policy is that the OS dies with the machine, so even if the old machine has been melted down to its component base metals and will never run any OS again, you can’t “move” the license to a new machine.

Your annual wipe ‘n’ reload might go a bit easier, especially as support for XP decreases, if you save all your current device drivers beforehand.


Posted in News, Vista, XP on December 9th, 2008

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  1. Microsoft Talk » Blog Archive » XP Q&A | corporated.net Says:
    December 9th, 2008 at 11:00 am

    [...] Microsoft Talk » Blog Archive » XP Q&A [...]

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My name is Brick ONeil, and I’ve been with the 451 Press Network since March 2007. I’m the new blogger for Microsoft Talk. We’ll be discussing ‘About Microsoft’ itself. What’s happening, who’s coming/going, what new technologies they’re coming out with, updates and upgrades. I’ll try to bring you news each day that impacts your daily life and use of Microsoft products, or just interesting information I think you’ll enjoy

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