How to Repair Missing Windows XP Files

There are several different methods to repair your missing Windows XP files. The best method by far is System Restore, which will reset your computer safely to a previous state. You can also use your Windows XP CD to repair your missing files, but this can cause problems with your computer, so you should only use this method if System Restore and other Windows programs have failed to solve the problem, or if Windows XP won't boot, even in safe mode.

Instructions

Repair Windows XP Files with System Restore

1. Save your work and close all open programs. Click Start, then Control Panel, then Performance and Maintenance. On the left side of the screen, click "System Restore."

2. Select "Restore my computer to an earlier time." Click Next.

3. Click a date with a bolded number in the calendar on the left. Make sure this date is at least 1 day in the past. On the right side of the window, select a restore point. Click "Next" twice to restore your system.

Repair Windows XP Files With the Installation CD

1. Back up all of your user files onto removable media such as CDs or DVDs. Find your Windows XP installation or recovery CD, and insert it into the optical drive that your computer can boot from. Click Start, then Turn Off Computer, then Restart to reboot your computer. When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message appears, press a key on your keyboard. Press "Enter" to start Windows XP setup, and press F8 to accept the licensing agreement.

2. Select the path of your Windows installation and press "R" to begin repairing it.

3. Follow the instructions provided by the Windows XP repair program and finish the reinstallation. Go to the Microsoft website and download Service Pack 2 from their website, then visit Windows Update to install Windows XP Service Pack 3, critical updates and Internet Explorer 7.

Tips & Warnings

• You can manually add restore points whenever you like in Windows XP. If System Restore doesn't work, you an also try rolling back drivers through Device Manager. In the Performance and Maintenance window, select System and click the "Hardware" tab to access this feature. Also, try uninstalling and reinstalling Windows components in Add/Remove Programs. If your computer doesn't boot from your CD or DVD drive, restart the computer and enter its BIOS setup program. Change the priority of your boot drives so that the CD drive is at the top, save your changes and try booting from the Windows XP CD again. You must uninstall Internet Explorer 7 before repairing Windows XP. You may need to reinstall non-Windows device drivers and programs after repairing your Windows XP installation.

Resources

• Windows XP SP2
• Windows Update