Replacing Windows 8 With Xp

[andy-hughes]

I have had enough of Windows 8 and want to return to the safety and familiarity of Windows XP.

I can buy a version over the Net - if I install it, does it overwrite 8, or do i have to take 8 off and put XP on?

Will it fudge up all my files - will I have to take all of them off and put them back?

Ta muchly.

[Buenchico]

While some 'on top' installations of Windows (retaining all of your files) are possible, 'going backwards' can't be done. (i.e. you can't install XP over Windows 8). So you'd need to remove Windows 8 first. Unfortunately, since your operating system keeps track of where all of your files (such as documents, images etc) are, removing the operating system without removing the files isn't an option.

You need to back up all of your files, note all of the drivers required by your hardware, do a fresh installation of Windows XP (allowing it to reformat your hard drive), find and install of the the necessary drivers and re-import your files. (Or, of course, simply go down to your local auction room and buy a PC with XP already on it for around 20 quid!)

[bazwillrun]

turn off the touch part of the interface, install one of the free "Start" button applications , and set it so you boot straight to the "usual" desktop.

why bother going backwards to XP

[Buenchico]

Possibly worth a look?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuySqZ8htm8

[rojash]

A much better idea is a to simply buy Start8 from Stardock for 5 dollars
This will allow you to ignore the Windows 8 interface (it won't remove it, so this is a non-destructive job).
There is a free trial available for Start8, which will allow you to go straight to a Windows 7 type desktop with a Windows 7 type start button.

This will be a lot cheaper, and won't require you to re-install all your stuff.

http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

[rojash]

When I said "a much better idea" I meant better than installing XP, Baz and Chris's posts about alternative start buttons weren't there when I started typing, and are equally good suggestions.

[VHG]

DONT go back to XP, a very very bad mistake. It first came out in 2001 so is now very old in computer terms.

It is also very vulnerable to computer attacks from viruses and malware. Later versions of Windows have improved a lot (under the covers) to become more secure and better able to recover from attacks.

Also all hardware in your PC requires drivers (to make them work) and it may well be that the hardware in your computer (if it is new) does not have XP drivers so certain hardware components will not work.

Also XP goes out of support soon so Microsoft will stop shipping updates and fixes for it, making it gradualy more and more likely to get attacked by hackers, viruses, malware and all sorts of nasties.

There are so many reasons why going back to XP from Windows 8 is a bad idea I cant believe anyone wants to do it.

It is like buying a new Ford Focus, decising you dont like it, and buying a Ford Anglia from the 1960s. Bad idea.

While I also dont like Windows 8, I dont recommend going back to any previous version of Windows, but if you feel you MUST go back then go back to Windows 7. That was probabgly the "best" release of Windows since XP, and is now a very secure and stable operating system which will be supported for many years.

But whatever you do, dont go back to XP.

[andy-hughes]

Thanks for the advice and links all.

My reason for an apparently 'backward' step is that I simply don;t like the way 8 looks and works.

My tekkie friend has already put links in for easy start-up and shut-down, but i still prefer accessing everything the XP way, so i am going to buy one and he will uninstall 8 and install XP andf i will be happy as a pig in chiffon!

I am simply not a 'musthave newest version!' user, I like the familiar, and the new system is making me miserable!

But thanks again for all the advice.

[rojash]

"but i still prefer accessing everything the XP way"

All the suggestions above, allow you to do exactly that.

[VHG]

>>>and I will be happy as a pig in chiffon!

Until you find some of your hardware does not work....

or until you get a nasty virus or malware attack.

As I said, bad idea.

[andy-hughes]

VHG - I posted my last message before yourrs arrived so -

in light of your obviously sensible advise, I am opting to go for Windows 7, and leave XP well alone.

Thanks again all for your kind advice.