How to Start Clean With Windows XP

Many issues with Windows XP can be resolved through basic troubleshooting. However, there are times when the best option is to start with a clean installation of Windows XP. This can be due to wear and tear on the file system, corruption by malware, or just the installation of a new hard drive. You will need to make sure you have a Windows XP installation CD as well as the XP product key.

Step 1

Begin by backing up any data you wish to keep from your computer, like important documents or photos. Transfer the data to a storage device, such as a CD or flash drive, or an external hard drive.

Step 2

After you've backed up your data, insert the Windows XP installation CD into your disk drive and reboot your computer.

Step 3

Press any key to launch Windows XP setup from the CD.

Step 4

Press the "Enter" key on your keyboard on the "Welcome to Setup" page.

Step 5

Press the "F8" key on your keyboard to accept the Windows licensing agreement.

Step 6

Press the "Esc" key on your keyboard if you are prompted to repair your existing XP installation.

Step 7

Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to select the partitions on your hard drive. Partitions are separate data areas on a hard drive, used for data storage.

Step 8

Press the "D" key to delete each existing partition. When you attempt to delete the system partition, you will have to press the "L" key to confirm. If this is a new hard drive, you may not have any partitions.

Step 9

Select the free space on your hard drive and press the "C" key to make a new partition.

Step 10

Select the new partition and press the "Enter" key. This will begin formatting the drive for the Windows XP installation.

Step 11

Select the format option and file type you would like to use for the partition. Unless there is a compelling reason, such as sharing files with another operating system, the NTFS file system is the best option.

Step 12

Press the "Enter" key and allow Windows to format the new partition. The computer will begin to install Windows XP after the formatting is complete.

Step 13

Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows XP. You will be prompted for your product key during the installation.

References

• Microsoft Support: How to install or upgrade to Windows XP

About the Author

Erin McManaway holds a B.A. in professional writing from Francis Marion University, where she earned the Richard B. Larsen Memorial Award for Business and Technical Writing. She has worked in materials development, media and information technology in the nonprofit sector since 2006. McManaway has also been a writer and editor since 2008.