XP Upgrade vs. New Install (XP Home)

**bhdavis** · 2006-02-11 10:41

I have a new full nstall version of XP Home. However, I would rather try to do an upgrade on my Win2000 system to XP Home so as to try and have all my program setting transfer.

Question is, if I use an XP upgrade disk, can I use the registration number that came with the fresh install version? I of course can just try and see what happens, but thought I'd see if anyone knew the answer in advance.

Thanks,
BH

**Leif** · 2006-02-11 12:28

I don't think I will be alone in recommending you do a full re-install - too much superfluous garbage is often transferred over.

Have a look at MSKB 293118: HOW TO: Use Files and Settings Transfer Wizard in Windows XP which should copy all your preferences intact (at least for your MS applications).

**DaveA** · 2006-02-11 14:49

Leif,
The KB of your link, states that it is good for XP Home and XP Pro, how does one do this from a old computer running 98, 2K or Me?

**Rebel** · 2006-02-11 15:24

I agree with <!profile=Leif>Leif<!/profile> . A fresh install is always preferable to an upgrade. In most cases, there is just too much extra and unnecessary baggage accompanying an upgrade. This KB search provides a great deal of information on using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.

As to your other question about using the Full or Upgrade CD, why would you want to use the registration number from the full version rather than the upgrade version? The upgrade version can perform a full installation (starting with a reformat of your drive if you wish) or an upgrade installation. The only difference is that you must have a qualifying product to use the upgrade version (which of course is priced at a lower price than a non upgrade version).

**Rebel** · 2006-02-11 15:29

According to MS, you can use this tool to migrate files & settings from Win95 and later installations. This article explains how to do this by using the XP CD.

**Argus** · 2006-02-11 15:50

I have not used the transfer wizard, since my XP came with a new machine and I left the other machine with its OS.

In my view, upgrading an OS (ex. 2000) to XP is not something you do during a lunch break and then get on with work. OS upgrading is the most major upgrade you can do to a PC. Even if there are similarities between Win 2000 and XP, one should take the opportunity to learn how XP works.

So even if a wizard can help me with the transferring of dial up settings, mail account settings etc. it can go wrong. That is not the start, and eXPerience, one would like with a new OS. But I can understand why some would like to try it, if all programs on 2000 are going to be the same on XP, I would not do it however.

**Argus** · 2006-02-11 15:52

I could not find a mention about win95, 2000 etc. in the page John mentioned

However, there is a page about problems with transfer wizard that mention:
Win 95 - Win Me
Win NT 4.0 - Win XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307869/en-us

**Rebel** · 2006-02-11 15:58

If I'm reading this correctly, <!mskb=304903>Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 304903<!/mskb> indicates that this can be done.

**DaveA** · 2006-02-11 16:19

Thanks, just made a Transfer floppy and will copy that to a USB thumb drive. It is the tool I need to have with me to support some of these older machines.

**Argus** · 2006-02-11 16:31

Hi John,
That's a good article, shows also some programs/settings that will transfer.

I was not sure if my eyes failed me, I looked so closely at your first link. Sorry, about my reply to Dave, I was not pointing at you in any bad way. <img src=/S/sorry.gif border=0 alt=sorry width=15 height=15>

Anyhow, Transfer W. is mentioned in the context of transferring between old and new PC, not on same PC before and after upgrade. So, even if I do not recommend it, an upgrade on ONE PC would not need a Transfer Wizard Tool?

**bhdavis** · 2006-02-11 16:42

Rebel.

The reason I asked if you could use the registration from an OEM full install disk for an upgrade is because the upgrade disk and reg. number have already been used on another computer. The OEM disk is brand new and the registration number has never been used. As I see it when you pay $100 for an operating system you are really paying for the registration number.

By the way, I've already done the File Transfer Wizard for my settings.....but it really doesn't do much except for Word and Excel in my situation. It's just as easy to move my files myself, plus then I know I've got what I need.

I've made the same recommendation to others that a fresh install is the way to go here! I was just being a bit lazy (perhaps because the Win2000 Pro install is only about 6 months old). But, I'll follow the best guide rule here and do the fresh install. It's on a replacement hard drive so I can switch back and forth between drives until I've finished installing all programs. That way I'll keep using the Win2000 HDD until the WinXP HDD is ready to go!

Thanks all,
BH

**Rebel** · 2006-02-11 16:47

Hi Argus,
No offense taken. As to

<hr>an upgrade on ONE PC would not need a Transfer Wizard Tool?<hr>

If the user is performing an upgrade installation (over an existing installation of an earlier OS) then the Transfer Wizard would not be required. The upgrade procedure itself does a pretty good job. BUT, if the user is doing a clean install on the same computer, then the XP CD method of using the Wizard would be appropriate (if the user wanted their previous settings retained).

**Rebel** · 2006-02-11 16:57

OK - that explains it. In your situation then, if the "upgrade" CD has already been used on another computer, you obviously won't be able to activate it again. I assume that the OEM version was purchased with the new hard drive. Good to hear that you're going to do a clean install. <img src=/S/thumbup.gif border=0 alt=thumbup width=15 height=15>

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