Re: Downgrading to XP Home

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

Would you mind sharing what product that is?

WGA! :rolleyes:

Found on Google Groups:

Turning (back) XP Pro to XP Home and Validate Genuine
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Some, who upgraded their XP Home into an "illegal" Pro
wish
to downgrade back to Home, because of the WGA annoyance.
But they don't want to loose the complete installation and
start all over again from scratch. THIS can be done!

You need two Upgrade-able Install XP CD's, a Pro and Home.
So, Corporate and Retail versions will do. Or maybe you
used a streamer or patcher and program's like Magic-Iso,
and manifactured your own "Retail" versions XP Pro/Home.

Install XP Home over XP Pro
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Just start an upgrade with the XP Pro CD, and immediately
replace the CD with that of XP Home. First you give the
KeyCode for the Pro and later that of the Home version.

Windows Genuine Advantage (validation)
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If the installation is ready. You need to Activate and
Validate with a Genuine Product Key for that Computer.
Downloading the KeyUpdateTool from Microsoft will fix this.
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/pkuinstructions.aspx
Tick the "understand line" and use the download button.

Sometimes first deleting the WGA map will be necessary:
%SystemRoot%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data
Delete the map "Windows Genuine Advantage", and only that
one.
If validation fails and you have a Genuine ProductCode,
than Call Microsoft free, and they will help you out.

Search (MS, P2P or TheNet) for: MGAdiag.exe
Download MGAdiag.exe and check your Genuine Status.

It works! I tested it this evening.
A customer of mine has recently bought a second-hand PC with a
"Corporate" version of XP Pro installed and a genuine OEM
key for XP Home stuck to the side.
My plan was to "downgrade" them from non-legit XP Pro to
legit XP Home and save the hassle of WGA Notification and setting up
their 3 user accounts again etc...

Just run setup on the Pro CD and select Upgrade, enter your Pro key,
when presented with the option to download updates before upgrading
swap the Pro CD for Home and continue with setup. Later on you will
be asked to enter your key again, possibly with an invalid key error
box, just enter your Home key and setup will continue.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Turning (back) XP Pro to XP Home and Validate Genuine
    ... Turning XP Pro to XP Home and Validate Genuine ... Just start an upgrade with the XP Pro CD, ... Validate with a Genuine Product Key for that Computer. ...
    (alt.os.windows-xp)
  • Re: Validation fails XP Pro SP3 What should I do?
    ... |> I recently had to reinstall XP Pro and there was no option to ... and installed all the other updates. ... |> you a genuine copy for a bargain-hunter's dream price of $149.99, ... |> Should I just not install kb905474 and continue to use it? ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Change Invalid XP to Older XP Valid System
    ... find that the XP Pro that is loaded is not genuine according to Microsoft. ... I've one WinXP Home machine that passes validation when it's performed manually, but consistently fails the validation check during software update/patch installations. ... Pro SP2 that is loaded on my system then a failure occurs. ... installation is at a higher Service Pack level than is the WinXP Pro installation CD you're trying to use. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Product Key invalid??
    ... and yes it is genuine and I have used it before.I`m sure he does not need ... i am using a win xp pro cd GENUINE and my product key is invalid ... i can format and install fine but when the GUI for instalation come up ... cd is real b/c of the label of it ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: XP Home to XP pro ?
    ... not eligible for that support anyway. ... XP Home installation if you have enough memory on the box. ... the copy of XP Pro you just got into a virtual machine under Virtual PC ... Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)