How to Uninstall Windows XP From Your Laptop

Released in 1999, Microsoft's Windows XP has been a workhorse of an operating system. With variants for every possible use from server editions to versions designed specifically for media centers, XP's longevity went a long way in cementing Windows' dominance as an operating system. Should you decide you'd like to uninstall Windows XP from your laptop and revert to your previous operating system though, Microsoft has included a quick method to do so, right inside of the operating system itself.

Step 1

Click the "Start" menu in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.

Step 2

Click "Control Panel" and then "Add/Remove Programs."

Step 3

Scroll down until you reach the "Uninstall Windows XP" option.

Step 4

Double-click "Uninstall Windows XP" and follow the prompts. Click "Yes" when you receive the message "Are you sure you want to uninstall Windows XP and restore your previous operating system?" Your laptop may need to restart itself several times during this process.

Tip

• You can only officially "uninstall" Windows XP if you upgraded to XP from Windows 98 or ME.
• If you'd like to remove Windows XP and haven't upgraded from one of these versions, you'll need to upgrade to a newer version of Windows or wipe the hard drive and install another operating system. Follow the instructions included with your upgrade media or operating system media if that is the case.

References

• Microsoft: How to Uninstall Windows XP

About the Author

Craig McPherson has been writing technical articles since 2009, with his work appearing on eHow. He holds a degree from the University of California-Riverside, where he studied liberal arts.

Photo Credits

• Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images