How-toWindowsWindows XP

Windows XP: how to install it from a disc

Reinstall Windows XP by booting Setup from your own CD, then pick and format the drive, finish the setup screens and confirm it worked.

  • Updated
  • 45 min
  • Intermediate
Applies to
  • Windows XP

Rate this guide

Own a legitimate copy of Windows XP and need a clean install from a CD on an older computer? The main screens are described in order, with the points where people most often go wrong.

Windows XP no longer gets security updates

Microsoft ended support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014. A freshly installed copy has no protection against newer threats. Keep the computer off the internet where you can, and do not use it for banking or email. Plan to move to a supported system, for example ChromeOS Flex on an old PC.

The stages of a clean Windows XP install5 numbered steps, one under the other. The full text follows the picture.The stages of a clean WindowsXP install1Back upCopy your files to anotherdrive or disc2Start from CDBoot the computer from theXP disc3Choose a drivePick the partition and format it4Copy and restartSetup copies files, thenrestarts itself5Finish setupAnswer the screens, then signin
Allow about an hour. Do the first two stages before anything else.
Text version of this diagram
  1. Back up: Copy your files to another drive or disc
  2. Start from CD: Boot the computer from the XP disc
  3. Choose a drive: Pick the partition and format it
  4. Copy and restart: Setup copies files, then restarts itself
  5. Finish setup: Answer the screens, then sign in

What you need

  • Your own Windows XP installation CD and its product key (a 25-character code, usually on a sticker or the case). Use only a disc and key you obtained legally.
  • A computer that meets Microsoft's published minimums: a 233 MHz Pentium-class processor, 64 MB of memory, and about 1.5 GB of free disk space.
  • Any hardware drivers the computer needs, saved on a disc or drive from the maker's website. See how to install software and drivers in Windows XP.

A note on activation: Windows XP asks to be activated (registered with Microsoft) within a limited time after installing. Whether Microsoft's activation service still works for XP is not something this guide can confirm. Never use a "key generator" or activation tool; these are a common way to get malware.

Back up before you format

A clean install erases the drive you choose, including every file on it. Copy anything you need to another drive or disc first. See how to back up your files. If you are not sure the backup is complete, do not continue.

Start Setup from the CD

  1. Switch the computer on and put the Windows XP CD in the drive.
  2. Restart the computer. When the message Press any key to boot from CD appears, press any key.
  3. If the message never appears and Windows starts as usual, the computer is not set to look at the CD drive first. The setup (BIOS) screen holds the boot order, usually opened with F2, Delete or another key shown when the computer starts. Check your computer maker's instructions before changing anything there.
  4. Setup loads files on a blue screen. If it offers Press F6 if you need to install a third-party SCSI or RAID driver, press F6 only if the maker told you the drive needs one (see the fix below).
  5. At the Welcome to Setup screen, press Enter.
  6. Read the license agreement, then press F8 to agree.
  7. If Setup finds an older copy of Windows, it offers to repair it. To install a fresh copy instead, press Esc.

Choose and format the drive

This is the point of no return. Setup lists the drives and partitions it finds.

  1. Select the partition for Windows with the arrow keys. If the drive shows only unpartitioned space, Setup tells you which key creates a partition; follow the on-screen prompt.
  2. Press Enter to install on it. Setup then offers a list of format choices, such as Format the partition using the NTFS file system (Quick). The NTFS file system is the usual choice for XP. A quick format is faster but does not check the disk for damaged areas. The choice to leave the current file system intact keeps existing files, but is not a clean install.
  3. Wait while Setup formats the drive and copies files. The computer restarts by itself.
  4. After the restart, do not press a key at Press any key to boot from CD. Let it start from the hard drive.

Finish the setup screens

A graphical installer now runs, with a time estimate on the left. The screens differ slightly by edition and service pack, but you are generally asked for:

  1. Regional and language options, then your name.
  2. The product key.
  3. A computer name and an administrator password.
  4. The date, time and time zone.
  5. Network settings. Choose Typical settings unless you know you need something else.

The computer restarts again and shows a Welcome screen. You will be asked for user names, and may be prompted to activate. Setup is finished when you reach the desktop.

Check that it worked

  1. Right-click My Computer, then select Properties. The General tab shows the version and service pack. Windows XP Service Pack 3 was the last service pack.
  2. Select Start then Control Panel then System, open the Hardware tab, then Device Manager. A yellow question mark or exclamation mark means a driver is still missing.

If something goes wrong

Setup finds no hard drive

Newer computers use storage controllers that XP does not know. Setup may stop, or later show a blue error screen. The usual fix is the maker's driver, supplied on a floppy disk and loaded when Press F6 appears. If the computer has no floppy drive, check the maker's website for an XP option. Some computers cannot run XP at all.

Setup restarts back to the same screen

You probably pressed a key at the boot message again. Let the computer start from the hard drive.

The computer cannot start from the CD

Check that the disc is clean and not scratched, then check the boot order in the BIOS screen. If you made a copy of your own disc, try the original.

Setup will not start: what to checkA top-to-bottom flow chart with 5 boxes. Work through them in order and stop when the problem is fixed. The full text follows the picture.Setup will not start: what tocheckNoNo1Check the disc is cleanand in the drive2Does Setup load now?Yes: Continue with the install3Check the boot order inthe BIOS screen4Does Setup load now?Yes: Continue with the installCheck the maker's page forXP support on this model.
Stop as soon as Setup loads.
Text version of this diagram
  1. Step 1: Check the disc is clean and in the drive
  2. Question 2: Does Setup load now? If yes: Continue with the install. If no, go on to the next item.
  3. Step 3: Check the boot order in the BIOS screen
  4. Question 4: Does Setup load now? If yes: Continue with the install. If no, go on to the next item.
  5. If nothing worked: Check the maker's page for XP support on this model.

Frequently asked questions

Can I upgrade to Windows 7 or later instead?

That depends on the computer. Windows Vista, 7, 8 and later have higher minimums, and Vista is unsupported too. Check the maker's page for your model, or consider ChromeOS Flex.

Do I need a service pack?

Service Pack 3 was the final one. Windows Update for XP no longer works normally, so look for a Service Pack 3 disc from your own legal media.

Is it safe to put XP on the internet?

No. With no security updates since 2014, it is at greater risk from viruses and malware. Use it offline, and scan any USB drive on a modern computer first.

Was this guide helpful?

Choose from 1 star (not helpful) to 5 stars (very helpful)

Rating this guide needs JavaScript. You can send feedback on the contact page instead.

Official resources used

Pages consulted while preparing this guide. Check them for the latest details.

Need more help?

If this guide did not solve your problem, send us a message and tell us what you tried.

Contact us

Beware of fake support

Real support never asks you to call an unfamiliar number, pay with gift cards or let a stranger control your computer.

Read how to stay safe online