How to Remove Windows Vista
Windows Vista was under development for years under the code name "Longhorn" before its release on November 8, 2006. Many people switched over to the new operating system only to find they preferred their old one and wanted to remove Windows Vista. Vista requires users to find information in new locations, and many users found that their printers, scanners and other devices were unable to work properly with their new systems.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Back up all of the files you want to keep on the computer. You can't remove Vista and leave your personal files on the hard drive. You can use a backup program or simply copy your files onto CDs or DVDs.
-
2
Adjust the boot order of the computer in the system BIOS. Restart the computer and press the F2, F12, DEL or ESC key to enter the BIOS for your machine. Look for the "Boot Order" or "Boot Sequence" option, and make sure the hard drive is the last option in the boot sequence. The CD, USB and/or DVD drive can be the first drive. Exit the BIOS.
-
-
3
Download a copy of an MS Dos boot disk for the operating system you plan to use. A site like Bootdisk.com or Allbootdisks.com should have what you need (see Resources below). Burn the boot disk onto a CD or other medium listed as first in the boot order of your BIOS.
-
4
Insert the boot disk into the appropriate computer drive and restart the computer.
-
5
Type "R" to start the repair of the current operating system installation.
-
6
Input the following in order and press the "Enter" key after each command: "fixboot C:\", "fixmbr C:\" and "EXIT." Do not include the quotation marks or the period at the end of "EXIT."
-
7
Close the setup for your changing operating system with the MS Dos boot disk.
-
8
Eject the MS Dos disk and insert the installation disk for the replacement operating system.
-
9
Restart the computer and follow the directions to install Windows XP or the other system you have chosen.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
After you remove Vista from a new computer, you may notice the computer doesn't function as well as you had hoped. Vista is inherently linked to the overall computer system. While XP will work, it will be working on a system designed for Vista. Fortunately, you should notice improved performance over an older computer with the upgraded processor, memory, bus speed, hard drive and other components.
