Appendix a. Upgrading to Windows XP

IN THIS CHAPTER

The Typical Upgrade Installation 502

The "Clean" Installation 504

Activating and Registering Windows 505

Uninstalling Windows XP 507

Installing Windows XP is much easier than installing any previous version of Windows. If you received Windows XP as part of a new computer purchase, you don't have to worry about installing it at all it's already installed. If you're upgrading an existing computer to Windows XP, you have the choice of an upgrade installation or a clean installation. For most users, the upgrade installation is the easiest way to go. I'll discuss both types of installations over the next few pages.

Whichever type of installation you choose, you'll find that it takes an hour or so to install the Windows XP software. You don't have to stand by your PC for the entire process, fortunately. After you get past the initial decision-making, you can walk away and let the installation program do its thing.

To install Windows XP, you'll need a working CD-ROM drive hooked up to your PC, because the entire installation is done from CD. It also helps if you're connected to the Internet, as the software needs to activate itself to operate. (See "Activating and Registering Windows" later in this appendix.)