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Windows 8 forum: Upgrading to Windows 8

by: brakewell November 21, 2012 2:57 AM PST

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Upgrading to Windows 8

by brakewell - 11/21/12 2:57 AM

I was not sure where t o put this question so if it's in the wrong place I'm sorry.
I have a desktop PC with a 250GB hard disk partitioned into three separate sections.

The first OPs I installed was XP Pro, which I have been running for a long time. Last year I installed Windows 7 on the next partition which automatically picked up the fact I had a previous OPs installed and included it in the boot menu. About three months ago I decided to try out the release candidate for Windows 8, so I installed it onto the third partition, everything went OK and all OPs were in the boot menu and I can boot into all the OPs.
As Windows 8 preview is going to be coming to an end shortly what I want to do is.
I have a version of windows XP home (Retail) I want to install it on the partition where Windows 8 is "Over writing Windows 8" on the third partition and then buy Windows 8 download from the web which will be much cheaper that buying the disc version and then install it as an upgrade over the Windows Home XP.

I understand that to buy the upgrade cheaper version you have to have a OPs of XP SP3 or higher installed so Windows 8 can see that it's legit.
Finally my question is when I install Windows XP Home edition on the third partition over writing Windows 8 when I boot in again will I still be able to boot into Windows 7 and XP Pro or will the MBR be messed up and I can only see the Home, or for the Home and Pro in the boot menu????
If it messes up the boot menu Is there a way to get it back??
Hope you can advise me Many Thanks Tony.


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Upgrading to Windows 8 from XP response

by jloesqcnet - 11/22/12 10:44 AM

In Reply to: Upgrading to Windows 8 by brakewell

Here is what I would probably do:

Back up all your files.
Restart the PC with your Windows XP Pro full version disc booting from the CD.
Do an advanced installation, delete all of the partitions so you have 1 blank disc.
Format the disc (I believe Windows XP will do the format for you) selecting NTFS
Install Windows XP Pro.
Once XP is up and running get back on the internet.
Use Windows Update to install Service Pack 3.
Once SP3 is installed, do a final restart just to be safe.
Once back up, download Windows 8 Pro from the Microsoft Store.
They install is simple, but you may want to just do a clean install formatting the drive since you will not have any new settings, files, apps or drivers to be concerned about.
Once Windows 8 is fully loaded/installed, run Windows Update using File Manager (Windows Explorer) to access the control panel system and security tab. Load all your updates, then install your apps, and finally save back whatever files you saved on your original back up. Good luck and welcome to Windows 8.


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