Upgrading XP Home to XP Pro

[Rab]

OK, So on my machine now I have XP Home SP2

I want to upgrade to XP Pro, So I download a copy of XP Pro (SP1, Supplied by the University via the Microsoft Academic Alliance).

Only it says "your version of windows is newer than this one, if you want to downgrade you will lose your files and settings".

Cancel>Cancel>Exit>Eek!

So it thinks my Xp Home Sp2 is newer than Xp Pro Sp1, which I guess is true. But what I really want to know is, when it says I will lose my files and settings does it mean EVERY single file (like... games, porn, mp3s etc) or just the ones it needs to replace to "downgrade"?

[Kim]

Moved to Tech Support

[eRad]

OK, So on my machine now I have XP Home SP2

I want to upgrade to XP Pro, So I download a copy of XP Pro (SP1, Supplied by the University via the Microsoft Academic Alliance).

Only it says "your version of windows is newer than this one, if you want to downgrade you will lose your files and settings".

Cancel>Cancel>Exit>Eek!

So it thinks my Xp Home Sp2 is newer than Xp Pro Sp1, which I guess is true. But what I really want to know is, when it says I will lose my files and settings does it mean EVERY single file (like... games, porn, mp3s etc) or just the ones it needs to replace to "downgrade"?

My university does the same thing - i suggest just waiting until they start slipstreaming SP2 with it... you certainly cannot (read: if you do, God will kill kittens) rollback SP2... so unless you want to reformat, you're out of luck. =/

[ConcreteSchlyrd]

Um, why don't you just slipstream SP2 into your SP1 install? You'll still probably lose your OS/file settings, but slipstreaming on your own (if you have a spare PC with about 800 meg of disk space and a CD burner) is real easy.

[Fallen Angel]

You should upgrade only if you have no other alternative.
Situations like this are perfect for installing the system from scratch and getting rid of all the crap nestled deeply into the current installation.
It's never advisable to upgrade a Windows installation that has been in use for some time, although XP Home to XP Pro isn't that big of a deal.
Still I personally wouldn't recommend it. Just backup the por...erm "personal documents" and reinstall that puppy.

[ConcreteSchlyrd]

Agreed.

[StarKitty]

It's probably detecting it as an updated version because XP Home and XP Pro both use the same patches on the Win Update system.

Therefore your current Windows is sporting a higher 1.0.3 &^%% whatever version number.
I wouldn't bother changing to PRO unless you're having problems with Home

Back it up and do it if you have to... or Email Bill Gates and ask him

EDIT: omg... i just repeated what everyone else said -.- i'm so stupid

[Jeansi]

I don't think it's possible to update the home edition to the Pro.

Just move the important stuff to another partition, format the whole shit and start from scratch.

[Ewan]

Moved to Tech Support

You got the wrong colour

EDIT: Pressed the wrong button - Kim

[Mr. Peanuts]

You will only lose your registry and maybe your documents and settings. But on mine, I resintalled and it gave me two lots of Documents and Settings.

[Kim]

Color is preference. Orange is my preference.

[Troll King]

It's like watching a Jedi choose his lightsaber colour.

[Bilbo]

You will only lose your registry and maybe your documents and settings. But on mine, I resintalled and it gave me two lots of Documents and Settings.

I renamed documents and settings, reinstalled xp and then removed the folder.

[Mr. Peanuts]

Yeah, but I thought it would overwrite the old ones so I didn't realise to rename them.