After upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7, many of Windows 7 users are asking if there is a way out there to downgrade to Windows XP/Vista. In this guide, we will show you how to downgrade from Windows 7 to XP.
And if you want to downgrade to Vista from Windows 7, please refer our how to downgrade from Windows 7 to Vista article.
Downgrade from Windows 7 to Windows XP
1. Open your Windows 7 drive (usually C drive) and make sure that you haven’t deleted the Windows.old folder, which was created by Windows while installing Windows 7 on XP drive. Note that without the help of Windows.old folder you won’t be able to downgrade from Windows 7.
2. Now check the size of Windows.old folder by right-clicking and then selecting properties. Make sure that Windows.old folder size is less than two times the amount of free space available on Windows 7 drive (C drive). If the Windows.old folder size is two times as large as the Windows 7 drive free space, disable system restore feature and also disk cleanup to get some free space.
Please note down your Windows 7 drive letter and also DVD drive letter before proceeding to the next step.
3. Insert your Windows 7 installation disc in the drive and reboot your machine. Press any key when prompted to do so.
4. Select your language, time, keyboard type and then hit the Next button to continue.
5. In the Install Windows screen, click Repair your computer option to open System Recovery Options.
6. Here select your Windows 7 OS and note down your Windows 7 Drive letter before clicking Next.
7. In the following window, click Command Prompt to start downgrading from Windows 7 to XP.
8. First, you need to move all the contents of your Windows 7 drive to a folder. So type the following commands one by one and then hit enter after each command (here “D” is your Windows 7 drive letter).
D:
Md Win7
Move Windows Win7\Windows
Move “Program Files” “Win7\Program Files”
Move Users Win7\Users
Attrib –h –s –r ProgramData
Move ProgramData Win7\ProgramData
Rd “Documents and Settings”
9. Next, you need to copy all the contents of Windows.old folder to the drive. Again, type all the commands mentioned below one by one and then hit enter after each command.
move /y d:\Windows.old\Windows d:\
move /y “d:\Windows.old\Program Files” d:\
move /y “d:\Windows.old\Documents and Settings” d:\
10. Next task is to restore the boot sector by entering the following command:
E:\boot\bootsect /nt52 d:
(Where E is your DVD driver letter & D is OS drive letter)
11. Finally, restore the boot.ini file by executing the following commands:
Attrib –h –s –r boot.ini.saved
Copy boot.ini.saved boot.ini
12. Type Exit and reboot your machine to start using your Windows XP again. You are done! If you want to free up some disk space, delete Win7 folder in the root of your XP drive. Good luck!
Pete says
Funny that -having had faithfull XP for years untill my hard drive failed and then bought a PC thar runs 8.1 and another that runs 10,, I consider re-installing windows XP to be a upgrade !
robshope says
Worked without a hitch! 20 minutes and done.
Reyske says
Fantastic guide, thanks !
Nathaniel says
Hello man, I have a problem. From win7 I downgrade it to winXP after copied files in the second Press any key to continue
there is a message that says Disk Read error. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to reboot, but nothings change it still stock there I cannot continue format it to winXP. What was supposed to be the problem?
Thanks in advance
z says
Thank you so much!!! You virtually saved my life!
bulgarian says
for everyone, who is having problems with step 11. You must type this commands on your C: drive.
Morcigs says
Hi. I have a Lenovo 3000 J Series PC and i tried the boot sector command and it said ” Drive is not ready”. Now I cant boot my pc up. What Do I do?
Mukul Goyal says
In step 5, I am not getting option of “Repair”
I simply ‘What to know……’ line and then ‘Copyright……’ line.
Suggestions please.
Curt says
Move Windows Win7\Windows system cannot find the path specified
junel says
I used DBAN to wipe my HDD and I don’t have the Windows.old folder. I don’t have a CD to install XP on my laptop.. All I got is a bootable flash drive with Windows XP. How am I supposed to do sir? How am I supposed to do a clean install of Windows XP? -_-
Kath says
Fantastic instructions! Thank you very much!
jco says
Awesome! Thanks!
just one thing, is it completely safe to delete the Win7 folder at the end?
admin says
@ Rambo
Sorry, you can’t downgrade without the Windows.old folder.
rambo says
What if i want to downgrade windows 7 to windows xp.. And i dnt have the windows.old file in my pc .. Then wt am i suppose to do ?
wardani says
I did everything just till this command:
E:\boot\bootsect /nt52 d:
It keeps telling me that the system cannot find the path specified!
what should I do in this case?
Please HELP!
David says
Hello, if I have activated windows 7, when installing windows xp I’ll have to re-activate or windows 7 license be valid.
thanks
David
Spain
Xedger says
SIR,
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP !
As I accidentally upgraded to windows 7 from XP . Then I couldn’t use Skype somehow tried everything including booting , updating too (I REALLLY NEEDED This SOFTWARE)
but ur article saved me from the hassle of getting my C.P.U to the computer technician
WoOziE says
So,
– i have windows.old folder (it has 5gb)
– My laptop has many space (70gb free of 111 -_-‘) since it got formatd, the problem is that the guy installed Windows 7 Ultimate, which i think it is making the computer processing bad, since i have only 700mb RAM and processor 1.60 GHz, so i want to downgrade to XP to see what happens
Problem is… i dont have the CD of Windows7 ,any chance do it without it?
admin says
Josue
You have no other option but to remove Windows 7 from your PC and do a clean install of Windows XP.
Josue says
I don’t have Windows.old, what other option do I have? Since when I install Windows XP in the Windows 7 Ultimate laptop from MS-DOS it says that the drive (C:\) is not found.
Josue says
I gotta try this! Thanks!!!
admin says
Sorry, you must have Windows.old folder to downgrade.
ken-ohki says
what if i dont have a windows.old folder?
i got a inspiron 1525 for 50 bucks i and reformatted over vista 32
with 7 to find out the oem wont support the 64bit so im trying to downgrade to xp i have a disk and product key but it refuses to let me install xp and when i stwitch the boot to dvdrw drive its loads tghe setup then fails to dectect the hard drive
JayB says
Worked perfectly! Thank you! the only error was due to me using E for my dvd drive instead of d: but once I realized my error after re-reading the instructions I figured it out. I felt like an IT professional! Thanks!
Eric says
When doing the steps above, i get all the way through 9 with no problems, but I get this line after attempting to complete step 10 (My drive is C: for the OS and D: for the DVD drive)
D:\boot\bootsect is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file
Any info on getting this fixed would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Eric.
Jose says
Works like charm! Thank you
Roel Ketelaars says
It still works!! Great work, many thnx!
Karllas says
Everything is ok, but when try to do step 11 it says:File not found – boot.ini.saved
Alex says
Very Good Work Perfect
admin says
Yes, you can. But that will be a clean install of Windows XP. In other words, if you don’t have Windows.old folder, you need to use your Windows XP installation CD to format the Windows 7 drive and then install Windows XP.
Dickcon says
If I dont have Windows.old folder, can I format Win7 and install Win xp. please reply?? thanks ..
Leonardo says
Grazie, I could kiss you man, damn who would’ve thought in this day and age I needed to downgrade. Thanks a lot bro!
chandra says
Hi,
Thank you very much for great article
I solved my problem
Calvin says
Can you like loose your files like games
kgz says
Help: On my comp Windows 7 is on C drive and DVD is on D drive. I’m a bit confused- I followed instruction and on step 6 on picture it shows Windows 7 on D drive while on my comp it showed on C drive. Should I continue to put D drive according to instruction or should I change to C and D drives?
Zeke says
Why do you guys want to downgrade…?
DSB says
I have install windows 8 release version. Does the same procedure will work???
momoonetwo says
the driver i got only is compadeble with 2000 and xp. is there a way i can fix that so it will install without downgrading my pc?
Star says
I don’t have a cd… then what? :)
asflhkgr says
Help when i type in Md Win7 in the command prompt it says access is denied
digis says
hey can somebody help me i have wndows 7 and there were when i bought the computer. is there any way to change the to windows xp. i tried all tipes of windowses but it didnt let me instal it. if somebody knows how to help please!!!!
pteq says
You ars my hero! Thanks
steve says
Blue Screen of Death? HOW TO SOLVE IT !!!
1.Restart The compt. And pressF2 ( to enter setup ).
2.Change SATA mode into : IDE Mode.
3.Press F10 to save the change? and exit.
4.Try again to setup.
5. Finished…. Enjoy the Installation
vijayakumar says
sir ,
i want to convert win7 to win xp, i have win 7 original key.My software working only xp so you give me solution sir thank you
Ramesh says
How about the Product key? After i downgrade to XP, it ask me to activate XP again. My windows 7 is invalid for that,so what to do ?
aggie says
breyjhan, mine did this, on the start menu on the search type in “Command Prompt” and then the window appears and you should be able to start from step 8 :) thank me later haha
also, at step 11, I am getting a message saying “The device is not ready” it would be greatly appreciated if anybody could help…
sdman786 says
thank you soooo much this worked soo well… much luv.. done tgis for ma dad and he’s happy
yubs says
will this work using a bootable USB where XP SP3 is?
admin says
@ Avinash
Depends. Pls check out this official page: http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx
Avinash says
I have windows 7 pro license copy so downgraded windows Xp may also the license copy..?
Phil says
I also cannot find the Windows.old folder, my Windows 7 laptop came with Home Edition pre-imstalled but I upgraded to Windws 7 Ultimate which didn’t install the Windows.old files and folder??? In this case it should have even if I upgraded to Windows 7 Professional as I understand it
I need to downgrade to Windows XP because not all installers can be runned as administrator or in compatibility mode, some work and some just refuse to install without showing any errors
I have also tried to install Windows XP using my old laptop’s Windows XP installation disk, but it appears as a virus to my new laptop with Windows 7 currently running on it even after a successful installation, so there is really no way I can downgrade unless Microsoft adds a download for this
nurman says
very very usefull. Thanks!!!
vinod asutkar says
downgrade windows 7 pro to windows xp
james says
this isn’t very useful since my laptop came with windows 7 from the very start so there is no windows.old folder….
Sol says
Hi, what is the content of Windows.old, is that the Win xp folder that created after u upgrade to Win 7? or it content the win 7 also..?
breyjhan says
guys i need some help…
my windows cannot start normally…
its only run in a safe mode until it cannot start in a safe mode. what i do ?
Viet says
A perfect tutorial. Worked perfectly. Your detailed instructions w/ screen-caps were greatly appreciated.
meenamata says
Hi Guys,
Wonderfull tutorial,
Was very helpfull, and worked like a charm…
Thanks So Much for your help.
Meenamata
Nwankwo obioha says
How to downgrade from window 7 ultimate to window xp without losing any files
Maurice says
Step 11 it says file not found what do I do
stephen says
What if i bought this computer with windows 7 pre installed, i do not have the windows.old folder???
Emma says
i have all of my business files on my computer can i downgrade without losing those???
rolling says
=( i didnt knew we cant downgrade after we install new version :(
but is any other way to install without windows.old or doing clean format?
Alex says
Can I do it, I have only one partition (C:/)
rock says
please help i am getting some error on 6th step after clicking on next there is some error of dvd is not compatible with window install smthing like dat, actually dat dvd is having 6 types of OS in it ex win 7 ultimate, win7 interprise, 32x , 64x etc. what to do ?
John says
I dont have a repair your computer. can anyone help please
lana says
I dont have that CD…ugh!
gangadharamurthy says
this is good soft wear in india and all peoples are work easy and good softwear .my home peopel are use this soft wear
sandeep says
I cant find d windows.old folder…
is there any alternate soln for installing xp
mozhandy says
pc says error operating system…
edrhen says
i don’t have windows.old folder…how do i undergo fresh install?
Sheldon says
I don’t have a “repair your computer”. Can i please have some help?
John says
I dont get a repair your computer line in section 5.
I dont have an installation disk for windows 7 only a reinstallation
Nanali says
Only worked when you have the windows.old. This folder contains all your documents, files, etc when you upgrade to windows 7 say xp to windows or windows7 to windows 7. A person that keeps this folder after reformatting is not wise in the because it sometimes huge in size. So in such circumstance that you do not have this windows.old crap how can i downgrade???
tina says
the OS of my laptop is Windows 7 but the system we are using in our office is windows XP which is compatible to our program. Is it okey to downgrade my current OS to XP without any effect to my files? Are the procedured stated abouve will work to what i need to do to my unit?
Thank you.
Tina
Barmasai says
its awesome because it never worked out furthermore because i never ever even give a try.
Thank you
Ghil says
thanks alot it wrks for me on my,loptop now i, want to do the same thing but my windows old is (000) it contains 148 files on 63 folders is this normal i need help pls.
shan tay says
i dont have repair your computer? can you help me. :(
Appu says
I am having HP Pavilion DV Series Laptop,
I want to format my laptop installing fresh copy of Windows XP,
Now i am having Windows 7 and when i formatted last time i deleted the widows.old folder.. So many errors are occuring so i am searching for solution about that but all the people telling that it is unable to format except that folder,
So, please tell me the solution for that if anyone knows the alternate way to format and to install XP.
connell says
when i put md win7 it says access denied!!????
venu says
i cannot find repair option
Kogure says
I’m trying to downgrade a new laptop with win 7 to xp, but every time i put the xp disc, and it start uploading the data, i got a blue screen
any ideas how i can solve this?
Danny says
how do i uninstall if i don’t have the Windows.old folder?
silas27 says
windows.old folder will be deleted if you reformatted your pc to windows 7.
if the “repair my computer” button is missing in the installer cd, create a repair disc of windows 7 and use it instead of the windows 7 installer cd.
you can downgrade windows 7 to xp by reformating your pc with a windows xp disc.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jimmy says
Same here..cannot find windows.old folder. I think it is automaticaly deleted after installing win7 in some machines
Thomas says
Hi guys!
i don’t have the windows.old folder??
i have Windows 7 Home Premium
admin says
Samyur, you must have the Windows.old folder to be able to download to XP. Else fresh installation is the only solution.
samyar says
One should need windows.old folder if Win7 installed on Win XP – what if Win 7 was already installed and need to downgrade to Win XP == any suggestions please
samyar says
If i dont have Windows.old folder I can format Win7 and can install Win xp. thats right any one has done that. thanks
pcnoob says
i havent FOLDER named windows.old
what i do
Aviv says
worked like charm!!
thanks a lot!!
Anuj says
I don’t find windows.old folder anywhere on my machine.
FoXX says
another way to fresh XP instal instead of Win7… just go to ur bios setting & change ur HD setting(sata to Ide)thn partion&format …& instal a new XP…
JVH says
When I go to complete step 11 it works fine but then it asks me to “Overwirte boot.ini? (Yes/No/All)”
what should i answer cause it sys to type “exit” which does nothing except propt me again for the same thing.
If I say Yes, it says Access is denied
paras_b2 says
On executing Step 11 it says “file not found ” .when I ignore the 2 steps in step 11 ,exit and try to login it says “NTLDR missing “…Any suggestions ??
Tijblar says
I try to start windows xp but the pc says that the hal.dll file is missing and i can’t start my pc :S what should I do?
manuel says
install linux ubuntu and then if u still want xp u can easily intall a fresh copy
XYZ says
Fuck,it doesn’t work
Justice says
It doesn’t have a “repair your computer” option, please help…
admin says
Yes, you must have Windows.old folder. If you don’t have, doing a clean install is the only option.
mugen says
If there isn’t a windows.old folder, will you have to format the drive and do a clean install of XP? thanks.
admin says
You must need Windows.old folder as it contains all the old data in it.
vanilynn says
can i do it without windows.old folder?
Johnny says
What if your Windows.old folder is the same size as the amount of free disk space? (58.8 GB)
Jay says
Abrak, you are a fucking idiot. If you read the first two paragraphs, it specifically says you can’t. There is no possible way.
Please, remove yourself from the gene pool immediately. I don’t want to consider the idea of you having children.
Thehan says
It’s simply brilliant – I followed the steps and managed to revert back to Win XP.
Many many thanks for the step-by-step guide!
abrak says
HOW CAN I DOWNGRADE FROM WIN 7 TO XP WITHOUT HAVING A WINDOWS.OLD FOLDER? PLZ ANYONE…
Will says
How about the Product key? After i downgrade to XP, it ask me to activate XP again. My windows 7 is invalid for that. Thanks
Fred says
Thanks it worked
Peter says
I have a Carlson Plotter, a new W7 downgraded to XP pro system worked fine. I then changed to W7 virtual XP mode, the plotter and other stuff failed or ran very slowly.
Found your Step by Step method to get back to XP.
It worked and amazingly the software worked in the un locked state all as before.
This has saved the day.
Thanks for your help it was 100% correct, except for that line entered incorrectly.
Regards,
Peter Green
vv says
can you still keep your files on windows 7
Xioumitsou says
Henry me to. I can’t find windows old.
You find nothing?
henry says
i cannot find windows.old
jair says
hey on step 10 it gives me a msg that says “the system cannot find the drive spcified ” any suggestions?
Annie says
On executing Step 11 it says “file not found ” .when I ignore the 2 steps in step 11 ,exit and try to login it says “NTLDR missing “…Any suggestions ??
Dinesh says
It was great,it really worked smoothly
thanks
Dpeezy says
on step 8 I can’t move any files, it says “file not found” or something like that. Please help.
Aliyu says
You are a life saver. it worked like magic.
Thank you.
rspzeke says
Great help! thanks worked like a charm.
I Hate W7 Now :'( says
Hey, i dont have that “Repair your computer” O.o is there another way to do it? :(
jamal Ahmed says
This is very helpfull
Ash says
how to reverse steps 8?
Miguel says
I just wanted to say thank you for this step-by-step process. I was able to do it quite easily & I hope you know that it means a lot. Thank you.
Tim says
How can I reverse steps 8 and 9.