Windows XP Professional service packs and hotfixes contain Uninstall, which is a feature that you can use to restore your computer to its previous state. When you run the ServicePack.exe program to install the service pack, a subfolder named $ntservicepackuninstall$ is created in your systemroot folder.
You can uninstall the service pack by using Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel or by running the Uninstall program from the command prompt. Be aware of the following considerations when uninstalling a service pack:
You cannot uninstall a service pack that you installed in integrated mode.
If you used the -n parameter when running ServicePack.exe, you cannot uninstall the service pack.
If you install any programs or services that require or have fixes contained in the service pack, uninstalling the service pack can adversely affect those programs.
You should not uninstall the service pack if you have installed any applications since the service pack was installed.
You should not uninstall the service pack if it contains system updates such as file format, database format, and registry format changes that Setup cannot uninstall.
To uninstall a service pack by using Add or Remove Programs
In Control Panel, double-click Add or Remove Programs, click ServicePack.exe, and then click Change/Remove.
Follow the instructions that appear.
To uninstall a service pack from the command prompt
In the Run dialog box, type cmd, and then click OK.
Change the folder to C:\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\, where C: is the root of your hard drive.
Type Spuninst.exe, and then press Enter.
To close the command prompt window, type Exit.
You can uninstall a hotfix by using Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel.
To uninstall a hotfix
In Control Panel, double-click Add or Remove Programs, click Q######, and then click Change/Remove.
Follow the instructions that appear.
Note | If multiple hotfixes replace the same file and you want to successfully return your system to its original state, you must remove the most recently installed hotfix first, and then all of the others in the reverse order of installation. |