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Tech Tips / Windows XP / Installation and Configuration

Upgrading to Windows XP

Many computer experts recommend fresh installs of Windows over upgrades. Upgrades are useful because it's unnecessary to reinstall all programs; however, this is the only advantage over a fresh install.

You can upgrade to Windows XP from two operating-system lines: Windows 2000/Windows NT 4 with SP 5 and Windows 98/Me. Upgrading from Windows 2000/NT 4 will provide the best results, since Windows XP is just a minor upgrade from Windows 2000. Users who are upgrading from Windows 98 and Me might experience more problems, however, because Windows XP is a completely different operating system. Some Windows 9x applications might not work at all under Windows XP.

Apart from the compatibility problems, there are several other limitations when upgrading from Windows 98/Me, including the following:

• No upgrade of Windows 9x-only devices
• No upgrade of Windows 9x-only device settings and features
• No upgrade of Windows 9x-only system configuration options (DriveSpace compression, etc.)
• No migration of Windows 9x system tools
• No migration of Windows 9x third-party shells
• No migration of Windows 9x passwords

In addition, the following utilities will not be present after an upgrade:

• Backup (if upgrading to Windows XP Home Edition)
• Drivespace
• ScanDisk
• Personal Web Server (XP Professional includes Internet Information Server 5.1)