How to Format & Reinstall Windows XP Professional

There are many reasons to regularly format a computer. Most people do it after contracting a virus or encountering a glitch. However, it is a good way to keep a computer running at peak efficiency and it can wipe away unnoticed problems before they become significant issues.

Things You'll Need

• Windows XP Professional disc
• Windows XP Professional product key
• Blank CDs or external drive for backing up files

Instructions

1. Backup all files you want to keep and save to CDs, an external hard drive or some other medium that will not be affected when you reformat your computer. Be aware that if you do not do this, it may not be possible for even a professional to retrieve the lost data.

2. Insert the Windows disc, then restart your computer.

3. When your computer restarts, you should be presented with a black screen that says, "Press any key to boot from CD." If this happens, press any key, then go on to step four.

4. If you are not presented with the aforementioned screen, enter the boot menu. This is generally done by pressing "F2" or "F8" while the computer is loading; you'll be presented with a list of options, one of which is "Boot from CD" or the like, which you should select. Consult your manual to find which key to press.

5. Once you have pressed any key to load from CD, don't be alarmed when you see a blue screen as Windows checks your hard drive. When you see all the partitions on your drive, delete them all by pressing "D" to delete and "L" to confirm.

6. Choose the only available choice: unpartitioned space. Press "Enter."

7. Next, format using the NTFS file system option. Press "Enter." Windows is going to install the operating system, and when finished, your computer should reboot itself. Don't touch anything during this process.

8. Enter your product key, then click "Next."

9. Select the proper timezone and click "Next."

10. Choose a name for your account and any other accounts that will be on the computer. Click "Next."

11. Choose "Typical" if you are presented with Network Settings options.

12. When you reach the desktop, activate your copy of Windows using the on-screen instructions. Installation is complete.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to remove any important data to an external drive, CD or DVD. Once you reformat Windows, it would be difficult and expensive to retrieve any lost data, and there would be no guarantee of saving it.