Uninstalling XP

[Edsaid]

Can anyone give me step-by-step 'how to' instructions to uninstall Windows XP from Windows 7 ?

 

[Pauly]

Assuming you have set this up as a dual boot there are different ways you can remove depending on which OS was installed first
Have a look at this tutorial using EasyBCD is a pretty straight forward way

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/210983-dual-boot-delete-os.html

Hope this helps

 

[gregrocker]

Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Management drive map with listings, using Snipping TOol in Start Menu, so we can advise you best.

 

[Edsaid]

Thanks, everyone...

DriveMap.jpg attached. I do not use dual boot. I want to be rid of XP only so I don't have to bother maintaining it any more, as I no longer use it.

 

[AddRAM]

Where is it ? Is it in a Virtual Machine ? Is C: Windows 7 ?

 

[Night Hawk]

Looks like 7 is present or you replaced a 7 install to go back to XP when looking at the 100mb System Reserved partition created only by the Windows 7 installer. To simply wipe a drive clean you can boot up with the 7 dvd to the Install Now screen and click on the Repair tools link.

The Command prompt option will be found at the bottom of the list of repair options once you reach the second screen following the OS detection phase. Once you open that up and type in Disk Part and press enter you next type the following commands:
List Disk (will display both drives!)
select Disk 0 (once you verify that as the C OS drive)
List Volume (displays all partitions on drive)
Select volume # (one at time)
delete (nukes each separately) or
Clean (total wipe of drive)
create partition primary (create replacement primary partition)
format fs=ntfs 60 (formats drive to NTFS)
exit (exit Disk Part tool)

The format option when going through the initial 7 install is the second option while booting live to consider if planning a clean install of 7. Or you could opt for a 3rd party partitioning program.

 

[Edsaid]

Addram: yes it is the virtual machine (Windows Virtual PC option).

Night Hawk: I think this might affect your suggestion.

 

[gregrocker]

Can you not just uninstall XP in the virtual app or uninstall the virtual app itself? There is nothing about XP which is affecting the bootability of your system .

 

[Edsaid]

Gregrocker: I am not sure. Windows XP Mode shows in "Control Panel/Uninstall a Program" but there is nothing indicating Windows Virtual PC which is the main shortcut on the Start menu. The Start Menu tree shows - Windows Virtual PC/Windows Virtual PC/Windows XP Mode/Windows XP Mode Applications... The last on the tree shows all the applications installed on XP, such as Avast Security, Scansoft among others.

Window 7 is the OEM installation on my PC and I downloaded XP from Microsoft free of charge so that I could run a few incompatible apps.

I can leave it where it is as it is not vital. It's just the discomfort of knowing it is there and unmaintained Updates wise.

 

[gregrocker]

Uninstall Windows XP mode in Control Panel.

 

[Edsaid]

I respect your advice and will do as you suggest. Just a little apprehensively...!! Thanks again.

I'll let you know if it goes belly-up.

 

[gregrocker]

What could go belly up from uninstalling a program? XP? isn't that what you want?

 

[Night Hawk]

I still haven't gotten around to reinstalling it since 7 went on clean again recently. The VPC itself goes on like any other Windows update. "KB958559-64.msu"

The XP Mode has a separate program installer you see in the Programs & Features. That will automatically download and install the VPC as one package since the initial beta release saw both as separate items until MS incorporated the two together for the updated version as an addition option to see both conbined. You likely downloaded the combo version rather then downloading each separately when going to see it installed.

The VPC is still available as a separate download however from Download Windows XP Mode

The options on the first page bring to that or you can choose to download the XP Mode separately in case the VPC was installed separately, Download Windows XP Mode

Here I had the two of those on plus the VMLite Workstation for XP Mode on the 7 install just cleaned a few weeks ago.

 

[Edsaid]

GregLocker: All went ok... I cannot remember the sequence when installing - if Virtual Machine was separate - so I was just slightly worried in case I had any nuisance shrapnel left over. I did not doubt your advice or I would not have taken it. I hope I did not offend you...!

Night Hawk: Thanks for your input. I am now sure both were installed as a single package. GregLocker's advice worked fine.

Of course, I could have done it without contacting the forum, but you can bet, the day one does is when it all goes wrong...!"

 

[gregrocker]

Not at all, Ed. Glad to help.

I was actually thinking aloud after mulling over whether XP could reach outside of the virtual program, since I am not much of a virtualoso.

 

[Edsaid]

greglocker: great pun...!

 

[Night Hawk]

It does reach outside the VM with the integrated components! :roflmao: "reach out and touch that drive!"

Originally the beta and first final version of the XP Mode required the separate install and reboot for the Virtual PC. The second updated release incorporated the VPC and XP Mode into one download. That's how that went.

I think MS must of got tired answering installation problems since they never specified the need to restart the system first once the VPC was on before trying to install the XP Mode last. The installation was more involved there then the removal which goes much easier.