Solved changing os from windows 10

commander

Member
Member
Messages
305
I am soon going to buy 2 new PCs. but since all new PCs are windows10, and I don't 10, to have the windows 10 completely

removed and then have windows 8.1 installed, or will I need to install a new hard drive first? and i'm also going to get a new PC and have windows 10 removed and have XP family addition with sp1, 2, and 3. this is for my XP games that I can't play on any other PC.


now best buy says they can remove windows 10, once that is done can I take it home and install XP, or do I need do pay best buy to install the software? and will I need to have a new hard drive for that?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    dell i660s-5390bk
    CPU
    1tb
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel
    Browser
    msn.com
    Antivirus
    norton
Since you are buying brand new hardware, you might run into problems getting drivers, especially for XP. 8.1 drivers might work on the new hardware. The hard drive is the same no matter what OS you install
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    white box
    CPU
    AMD fx 6100 6 core
    Motherboard
    gigabyte ga-78lmy-s2p am3+ amd 760g matx
    Memory
    16 gb crucial ballistix sport 13339 pc3-106000
    Graphics Card(s)
    on MB
    Sound Card
    on MB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ACER p215h
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial SSD 240 GB
    Case
    mini tower
    Keyboard
    Polaroid wireless
    Mouse
    MTG laser
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    MSE
will I need drivers to install the software? or will the drivers be on the CD that has the XP software on it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    dell i660s-5390bk
    CPU
    1tb
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel
    Browser
    msn.com
    Antivirus
    norton
Best option on both new PC's is to remove the OEM hard drive, with Win 10 on it, and use a new (or reuse an old) drive to install the different OS's. That way if there are problems and for example XP won't run on the new hardware you still have the original hard drive with Win 10 on it. If you just install over the OEM drive and wipe out 10 you may be lost if it doesn't work.

XP will not install the drivers. You must have Win XP specific drivers (Vista/Win7/Win8/8.1 will not work). If there are no XP specific drivers for the hardware there is a very good chance it will not work. Your best option is to buy an old/refurbished PC that will run XP.

Win 8.1 may even be an issue with getting all the needed drivers. Some will work or be available but there is a good chance all will not.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
I have my PC with windows XP. I may have to just get it refurbished instead of replacing it. and it should have all the drivers since the PC came with XP installed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    dell i660s-5390bk
    CPU
    1tb
    Memory
    8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel
    Browser
    msn.com
    Antivirus
    norton
Installing XP on a modern computer is likely to be a serious challenge and one which may eventually prove futile. In some cases it can be difficult to install Windows 7 or even Windows 8.1 on such a computer. A big problem is availability of XP compatible drivers. The XP install media certainly won't have them. All such media would have been released years before your computer was built and could not include drivers for it. Most manufacturers gave up on XP years ago and no longer write XP drivers. Writing device drivers is a difficult (and thus expensive) task and manufacturers find it difficult to justify the effort for a 16 year old unsupported OS with limited market share. When Microsoft ceases support for an OS, and for XP that was more than 3 years ago, it serves as a sign to other companies that they do the same. Many had done so previously.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Windows 8.1 drivers should work fine, however you may run into problems when it comes to Windows XP. I'd recommend looking up to see if that hardware supports Windows XP.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Home Edition x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom PC, self built
    CPU
    AMD FX4300
    Motherboard
    MSI
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    750Ti
    Browser
    Opera
Back
Top