Sometimes system files can get corrupted, and you’re left trying to work with a barely functioning copy of Windows XP. Maybe all your programs are starting to run slow, and you wish there was a way to get Windows moving as fast as it used to. Luckily, repairing or reinstalling Windows XP is fairly straightforward. Follow these steps for a painless installation no matter which version of Windows XP you use.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Repair Install

  1. 1
    Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer. If you no longer have a copy of the CD, contact your computer manufacturer for a replacement, or download an .iso from the internet that you can burn to a blank CD. Be aware of viruses, and know that you will still need to enter a valid Product Key to install.
  2. 2
    Make a note of your Product Key. It is useful to have this handy before you start the install process. This key is a 25-character code that you have to enter in order to install Windows. It can usually be found in one of a couple different places:
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  3. 3
    Reboot your computer. Make sure that the Windows XP CD is inserted. Your computer needs to be set to boot from the CD drive first. In order to do this, you will have to enter the BIOS setup.
  4. 4
    Start the installation. Once the manufacturer’s screen has disappeared, a message will appear that says “Press any key to boot from CD…” Press any key on the keyboard to start the install process. If you do not press a key, then the computer will boot from the hard drive as usual.
  5. 5
    Setup will load. Windows has to load drivers to start the setup process. This could take a few moments. Once it is complete, you will be greeted with the Welcome screen. Press Enter to begin a repair install. Do not enter the Recovery Console.
  6. 6
    Read the agreement. After you have gone over the license agreement, hit F8 to agree and continue. Setup will load a list of your Windows XP installs. Most users will only see one thing listed here.
  7. 7
  8. 8
    Enter the Product Key. Towards the end of the installation, you will be asked to enter the product key. Windows will check to make sure it is a valid key before proceeding.
  9. 9
    Check your programs. Once the installation is complete, you will be taken to your repaired install of Windows. Because certain system files were replaced, some of your installed programs may not function, and may need to be reinstalled.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Format and Install

  1. 1
    Backup your data. Formatting and reinstalling Windows will wipe your hard drive clean. Be absolutely sure that you have backups of all your important files before starting. Pictures, movies, documents, and music will all be erased.
  2. 2
    Insert your Windows CD. Make note of your Windows Product Key, you will need it during the installation. Boot from the Windows CD to start the setup program.
    • Details for this step can be found in steps 1-4 in the first section of this guide.
  3. 3
    Setup will load. Windows will load the drivers for the setup program. Once this is complete, press Enter at the Welcome screen to start the setup. Do not enter the recovery console.
  4. 4
    Read the agreement. Hit F8 once you are done reading the agreement to continue the setup process. Setup will load a list of your Windows XP installs. Press Esc to continue with a fresh install.
  5. 5
    Delete the partition. You should see a list of your hard drive partitions. These are your C: and D: drives (The lettering is dependent on the way the system was set up).
  6. 6
  7. 7
    Begin Windows setup. Once the partition is created, highlight it and press Enter to begin the Windows installation. You will be asked to format the partition. Select “Format the partition using the NTFS file system.” Choose NTFS over FAT, as NTFS is much more stable for Windows.
  8. 8
    Windows will begin installing. This is a mostly automated process that requires the user to enter some data at a few points. The first option that pops up is changing the default language and region. Click Customize… if the settings are incorrect for your region. Once the settings are correct, click Next to move on.
  9. 9
    Enter your Product Key. You will be prompted to enter your 25-digit product key at this time. Your Product Key should be found at the lower part of you Certificate of Authenticity.If you are installing from a Windows XP SP 3 disc, then you will not be asked for it yet.
  10. 10
  11. 11
    Set the correct date and time. You will now see a calendar and clock that can be adjusted to your specific time. You can also select the correct timezone for your location.
  12. 12
    Setup network basics. You will be asked if you want to install Typical or Custom network settings. For nearly all users, Typical is the correct choice. If you are installing in a corporate setting, check with your system administrator first.
  13. 13
    Windows will finalize the setup. This will take several minutes and requires no input from the user. Once it is complete, your PC will automatically restart and load Windows XP.
  14. 14
    Select OK to adjust screen resolution. Windows will attempt to automatically change the screen size to make reading easier. Once the screen resets, you will be asked if you can read the new text box. If you can, click OK to continue. If you cannot, then hit Cancel or simply wait 20 seconds for the screen to revert to its original settings.
  15. 15
    Select Next to proceed with the installation. The Welcome to Microsoft Windows screen will appear once the screen changes are made. This process will just take a couple minutes.
  16. 16
    Enter the names of your users. In this step, you can create separate logins for each of the users of your computer. You must enter at least one name. You can enter up to five users on this screen, but more can be entered through the Control Panel after installing.
  17. 17
    Run Windows Update. Your installation is complete, but you’ll want to run Windows Update as soon as possible. This will download the latest system updates from Microsoft. These are very important, as the patch system vulnerabilities and stability issues.
  18. 18
    Install your drivers. Chances are you will need to install your drivers again now that the computer has been formatted. Depending on the devices you have attached to your computer, this could include your video card, your modem or network card, your sound, and more.
    • These drivers can be found on the discs that came with your computer, and can also be downloaded from their respective manufacturer’s websites.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Installing Without a CD

  1. 1
    Install from the recovery partition. Many computer manufacturers ship their computers with a partition on the hard drive that contains the Windows installation files. In order to access it, you will need to boot into the recovery partition.
  2. 2
    Install from within Windows. You will need to use a file called winnt32.exe. This file is a Windows installer that can be run from inside Windows XP. To find it, open the Start menu and click Search. Select "all Files and Folders" from the left frame. Enter "winnt32.exe" in the search box.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Does it work in 2017 (especially the updates)?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, Windows XP works great in 2017. However, Firefox, the only web browser that still supports it, will drop the support in 2018. After that, you will still be able to use the internet normally for a while, but eventually websites won't load properly on the outdated browser. Non-internet based programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, games, etc.) will always work on Windows XP, as long as they were designed for it (if you have a game that worked on XP in 2005, it will still run on XP in 2035).
  • Question
    Does a bootable USB flash drive work for reinstalling?
    ClixTech Australia
    ClixTech Australia
    Community Answer
    Yes it does. However if you are going the USB route, please note that Sandisk Ultras do not work.
  • Question
    At what point can the CD installer be removed from the PC?
    ClixTech Australia
    ClixTech Australia
    Community Answer
    After the format, the computer will start copying files. After that, the computer will reboot. After rebooting it is perfectly safe to remove the CD. If the computer says that a file could not be found, you will need to put the CD back in.
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About This Article

Matt Ham
Co-authored by:
Computer Repair Specialist
This article was co-authored by Matt Ham. Matt Ham is a Computer Repair Specialist and the CEO and President of Computer Repair Doctor. With over a decade of experience, Matt specializes in Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad, and Smartphone repairs and upgrades. Matt holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University and an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University. Matt has expanded Computer Repair Doctor to seven different locations. He is also a Co-Owner of Repair Life, a full-scale marketing agency specializing in driving both online and offline leads to cell phone and computer repair shops and device retailers. This article has been viewed 428,256 times.
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Co-authors: 29
Updated: February 8, 2023
Views: 428,256
Categories: XP Instructions
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