Emanuel053197
asked on
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?
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?
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.
ASKER
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?
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?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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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
APPLIES TO
" Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3
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
APPLIES TO
" Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3
ASKER
to JSoup
Which of the four is the safest to use?
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.
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.