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Emanuel053197

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Rolling back SP3?

Since installing SP3 my computer (a standalone PC) behaves erratically, something it never (well, almost never) did with SP2. Now I want to go back to SP2.

Microsoft support told me to remove SP3 via Control Panel | Add and remove programs and Win XP will revert to SP2 without any problem but I have my doubts.

My question is, Can I really remove it safely this way or is there another way to do it short of clean reinstalling the entire system?

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notfuzzi
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Nope, either remove it from add/remove programs or format/reinstall.  It changes a boatload of files and there is no "manual uninstall".  However, it only really includes a bunch of updates, and not alot of functionality changes so there may be an underlying issue you need to look at.
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Emanuel053197

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to notfuzzi

Format/reinstall -- I know what to expect and how long it's going to take me (shudder).
But what about removing from add/remove: Won't the cure be worse than the disease?
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notfuzzi
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How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249
Method 1: Use the "Add or Remove Programs" item in Control Panel
Method 2: Use the hidden $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder
Method 3: Use the System Restore process
Method 4: Use Recovery Console
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" Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3

to JSoup

Which of the four is the safest to use?
I used the "Add/Remove Programs" method to remove a beta version of SP3 and had no issues getting it all back to SP2 so I could apply the final release of SP3.
Last system restores point if enabled.
How to restore the operating system to a previous state in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084
Each Method is incremental to the possible recovery.
DO NOT use system restore to uninstall a service pack unless it's a last resort.  Many people have had  problems with that in the past.  I say you back up all your data, try uninstalling from the Control Panel, and if that doesn't work, proceed with the format/reinstall.