Greetings. I decided to write today about how to install Windows XP... They just brought me a computer, so old, already. 256 MB RAM, Celeron processor, 40 GB hard drive. Well, what? Where there is, XP is the most for him.

It's just that everyone is already writing about installing Windows 8, but I have something to do with the old days. Well, okay, I think that XP will still live, because whatever you say it is a good OS and many still work with it. Just want to apologize for the pictures, I took pictures on a 15-inch monitor, and also on a phone. Ideally, of course, you could install Windows XP on a virtual machine and make beautiful screenshots, but I have a living example :).

Preparing to install Windows XP

Important! Make sure that there is no important information on the C drive (the disk on which you have or was installed the operating system). Desktop and folder "My documents" is stored on drive C. If information is available, it can be copied to drive D using a boot drive.

If everything is fine, then move on. Insert the Windows XP installation disc into your computer drive and restart your computer. If after the start of the download at the bottom of the screen you will see the download (the points will move), then everything is fine. Quickly press any key (did not have time :), restart the computer again) and you can proceed to the beginning of the installation.

Well, if your boot from the CD did not work, and the computer started to boot as usual from the hard disk, or an error appeared through which you undertook to reinstall the operating system, then it means that you do not have boot from the drive in the BIOS in the first place. I already wrote an article about that, but in this computer the BIOS was different from what is described in the article.

Go to the “Boot” tab.

Click “Boot Device Priority”.

Using the "Enter" and "Top" "Down" keys, set the first CD / DVD, then the hard disk, etc. Now press F10 and save the changes. The computer will restart and start loading the CD. We press any button and go to the beginning of the installation.

Windows XP installation process

As soon as you pressed any key, we see this:

Here you have to wait, well, nothing can be done, we are waiting :).

In this window press “Enter”.

Accept the license agreement by pressing the F8 key.

As you can see, I have already found an old version of Windows XP and you can try to restore it, but I think you also need a clean installation, so press "Esc".

We select the partition on the hard disk where we want to install the operating system. As a rule, this is C:, select it and press “Enter”.

We confirm the setting with the "C" key.

Here you need to choose how the section will be formatted. I recommend choosing FAT and not fast. We press "Enter". We confirm the formatting by pressing the "F" key.

We are waiting for the partition on the hard disk to be formatted.

Copying files from the disk will start immediately, wait again :(.

You can immediately configure the language and keyboard. Click "Next".

Enter your name and organization name. Move on.

We adjust the time and date. Click "Next".

We are waiting again, just don't go far :).

I left "Common parameters" and clicked Next.

You can register with Microsoft. But I refused. Let's continue.

We indicate users by the computer.

Congratulations! Windows XP installation is complete.

All friends, the installation is complete and you can start using the computer. I also want to note that I installed the simplest build of Windows XP. You may also have an assembly, for example, from ZWER, where the installation process may be slightly different. For example, in this version I also entered the key, forgot to take a picture. And in the assembly from ZWER, there seems to be no such item. Well, if it asks for a key, then look for it in a text file that you most likely downloaded with a disk image.

Well, that's all. Good luck friends!

It is possible that today, installing Windows XP will seem a rather strange decision to someone. Indeed, newer versions of Windows have been released long ago. In addition, Microsoft has already officially announced the end of support for XRyushi.

However, in practice, many computers around the world continue to function successfully on XP. There can be many different reasons for this. There is probably no point in understanding them here. Instead, it's worth describing how Windows XP is installed from scratch. Moreover, this procedure differs in many respects from the one common in modern operating systems.

Windows XP installation options

You can install Windows XP from a variety of sources:

• From the supplied system disk;
• From a bootable USB flash drive;
• Or even by downloading all the necessary files from the network.

There are also several very specific methods, but they are so rarely in demand that they probably should not be considered here.

What to do first

Not only before installing XP, but also other operating systems, you will need to perform a number of mandatory steps:

• Get an installation disc or an installation flash drive;
• Make backup copies of all your important data: after all, everything that was on the hard disk before will disappear irrevocably;
• Make sure that all the necessary drivers are at hand: XP did not come with ready-made video and sound drivers - so you will have to install them separately;
• And also set the drive that you plan to use as the boot source: a USB flash drive, CD drive or other device.

In order to carry out the last point, during the start of the computer, you will need to go to the BIOS. Usually the F12 key is pressed for this, but for certain computer models it may be different keys: see the documentation. In the BIOS settings, you will need to set the parameter: First Boot Device from CD-ROM, or a flash drive, or indicate that the boot will occur from network resources.

We start the installation

Once the boot source is specified, you will need to insert the system disk, save the changes and restart the computer. If everything was done correctly, then the drive will rustle - and an invitation will appear on the blue screen to start installing Windows XP. If you agree, you will need to press F8 - confirmation with the License Agreement.

Next, a list of available sections for installation will open. Typically drive C is selected as the system partition. However, this is not required. Some users even install multiple copies of the OS in different partitions. In a word, select the section to be installed with the cursor keys and then select the formatting method for this section. In most cases, "Formatting in NTFS" is appropriate. This is where XP works. You can also select "Quick Format on NTFS". In this case, your data will not be destroyed, the formatting and installation itself will also be faster. However, if the problem with loading XP was caused by a problem in the system, or Windows XP was not installed before, this should not be done.

We agree that all data on this section will be destroyed by pressing the F key, then we look at how the progress bar of the formatting process is filled. This process can take quite a long time - it all depends on the speed of the computer and on how big your hard drive is.

As soon as the formatting is completed, the computer will restart, at this time you do not need to press any keys. If everything went well, the necessary system files will be copied.

Continue installation

After copying the most important files, Windows will go into graphical mode. You can read about the merits of the new Windows in comparison with the old versions. As a matter of fact, at this time you won't have to do anything special. Is that to agree with everything that is offered.

Although some actions will still need to be performed. For example, in the first steps, you will be asked to enter a license code. If it is not there, then the installation will not be possible. Therefore, you should take care of the sticker with the code, or write it down somewhere and store it separately.

If the entered code is correct, the installation will continue. Sometimes the computer will overload, sometimes it will take too long to “think”. There is no need to be afraid of this: everything goes on as usual.

But it's too early to go for a coffee break either. The system, for example, will ask which language we want to set as the main one, as well as set the time and date, give the account name (it can be changed later), register (or not) on the Microsoft server, update our operating system right now ... In general, all queries are intuitive, so choosing the desired answer is not difficult.

At the final stage, the operating system will inform you that almost everything is ready and will automatically configure the display parameters. However, until the video drivers are installed, the image will still not shine with high quality.

Finally, the computer will go to the last reboot, after which the familiar Desktop appears with a photo of a green hill. The installation can be considered successful.

Final stage

At the final stage of installing the OS, you will need to configure the operating system itself to your liking, as well as install all the necessary drivers. How to do this is a topic for another article. As for the installation of drivers, everything here is quite individual, here is just a small list of the most necessary:

• Video system driver;
• Sound drivers;
• Network drivers;
• If necessary, you can install drivers for the modem, printer, and other devices.

As you can see, in the question of how to install Windows XP, in fact, there is nothing particularly complicated. With certain skills, everyone can handle this.

Most often on the Internet you can find instructions on how you can install Windows 7, 8 or 10 with a second system when Windows XP is already installed on the computer. This is a relatively simple task that even an inexperienced user can cope with, since a newer operating system always keeps the bootloader of the old one and automatically creates a menu in which the user can choose which system to boot - the new or the previous one at boot. In this article, we will consider the opposite situation - when Windows 7, 8, 10 is installed on the computer, and the user wants to install Windows XP in parallel. The piquancy of the situation is that after installing Windows XP, the previously installed Windows 10/8/7 will stop loading and its bootloader will have to be restored.

Installing Windows XP as a second system after Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10

If you have a stationary computer, it would be even better to use an SSD for modern Windows 7 / 8.1, and a classic hard drive for XP. In this case, you can temporarily disable the SSD with Windows 7-10 so that you do not accidentally erase anything from it, calmly install XP and then proceed to configure the boot sequence.

METHOD 1. Installing Windows XP with a connected hard disk with Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 or installing Windows XP on another partition of one physical disk

This is a common situation faced by most users. In addition, this method is suitable for inexperienced users who have several physical drives, but do not want or cannot disconnect the hard drive with Windows 7 / 8.1.

Attention! This method is not suitable for SSDs. If you want to install XP and 7 / 8.1 on a solid state drive, you will need to first prepare the disk for XP using the Alignment Tool, then install XP, and only then you can install Windows 7 / 8.1.

Step 1 Prepare the partition for the second operating system.

Create a partition on your hard disk where you will later install XP. If you need to partition a disk or redistribute space between existing partitions, use the free MiniTool Partition Wizard Home program (Download from the official site).

Important! Prepare sections ONLY on Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 BEFORE installing XP! We strongly advise NOT to partition the disk in the XP installer! All you have to do in XP installer regarding partitions is select the partition you want and format it quickly!

Let's say you have three partitions on your disk:

1. Bootable (100MB for Windows 7 or 350MB for Windows 8/10)
2. System, where Windows 7 / 8. / 10 is installed.

For Windows XP, you create a fourth partition. Where it will be located and from which section to cut off the area is up to you. Of course, it is more logical to arrange the sections like this:

1. Bootable
2. System, where Windows 7/8 / 8.1 is installed.
3. Section for installing Windows XP
4. User data disk.

Although you will format the partition in Windows XP Setup, you can format it in Windows 7/8/10 so that you can set the label. And the label will help you avoid mistaking the correct partition in the XP installer.

Step 2 Install Windows XP

Boot from the installation CD or bootable USB stick and install Windows XP on the prepared partition. Be extremely careful when choosing a section. Be guided by its size.

Select a section and click Enter:

Select item Format partition in NTFS system (fast):

Further steps for installing Windows XP do not differ from the usual installation of it as the only operating system.

After the installation is complete, download XP and install any required device drivers. Set up your network and internet (if needed).

Step 3 Restore the bootloader of the first operating system and add an entry for the second system of the previous generation to it

A. Preparatory stage. Downloading auxiliary software

Click on Register at the bottom of the page:

To download, just like on behalf of your Facebook account or subscribe by email:

The program requires Microsoft .NET 2.0 SP2 Framework. You can download it from the Microsoft website http://www.microsoft.com/ru-RU/download/details.aspx?id\u003d1639:

1. Install Microsoft .Net 2.0 SP2 Framework.
2. Install EasyBCD software.

B. Windows 7/8/10 Boot Loader Repair

During the XP installation, the Windows 7/8/10 loader got stuck. Therefore, first of all we need to restore it.

Start the EasyBCD program.

1. Go to section Installing BCD.
2. Select the partition where the Windows 7 \\ 8 bootloader was located before XP was installed.
   In most cases, this is the very first partition, 100MB in size for Windows 7 or 350MB if your first system was Windows 8 \\ 8.1.
3. Select bootloader type - Windows Vista / 7/8 to MBR
4. Click the button Rewrite MBR

After that, the Windows XP bootloader will be overwritten, and a new type of bootloader will be installed instead.

Reboot your computer. Now, instead of XP, your copy of Windows 7/10 should boot up again.

Now our task is to add a second entry to the bootloader - for loading XP.

C. Adding XP Boot Record to Windows 7/8/10 Boot Loader

Install EasyBCD again in the same way - now in Windows 7/8/10.

Start the EasyBCD program.

1. Click on Add a note
2. Select OS type Windows NT / 2k / XP / 2k3
3. Select a system name.
   This is the name that will be displayed in the menu when loading. We recommend removing the word Microsoft.
4. Click the button Add:

Now go to the section Current settings and check that the second boot record is added:

After that you can press the button Edit boot menu, select the display time of the menu with the choice of operating systems at startup and rename the OS names. If you make changes, do not forget to click on the button at the end Save:

METHOD 2. Installing Windows XP with a disconnected hard drive with Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10

This method, as we wrote above, is more suitable for stationary computers and only some laptops where it is possible to connect multiple data drives. The advantages of this method:

1. You don't run the risk of accidentally erasing an already installed Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 during XP installation.
2. If you disconnect any of the physical disks, you will be able to boot from the remaining disk because in this method the boot loaders are located on different physical disks. You may only need to configure the boot order in the BIOS.

Step 1 Turn off your computer. Disconnect the data cable from the hard drive where Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 is installed

Step 2 Turn on the computer and install XP on the remaining hard drive in the most usual way - as if this Windows would be the only one. Install all required drivers.

Step 3 Shut down your computer and plug the Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 hard drive back into the old SATA port.

Step 4 Boot Windows 7/8/10.
If you haven't changed the boot priority in BIOS, by default you should boot from the same disk into your old Windows 7/8 / 8.1.

A. Installing bootloader editing software

Install Microsoft .Net Framework 2.0 SP2 and EasyBCD (described in Method 1).

Now the only thing we need to do is add an entry about XP installed on another disk to the Windows 7/8 / 8.1 bootloader.

B. Add Windows XP Boot Record to Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 Boot Loader

Follow these steps:

• go to tab Add a note;
• select OS Windows;
• select type Windows XP;
• specify the desired system name in the OS selection menu;
• press the button Add to for adding.

After that, restart your computer, select Windows XP from the menu and make sure that it boots from your hard drive.

Friends, with this article we are opening a new section on how to work properly with a computer. We will cover issues such as how to install Windows XP correctly, as well as update drivers and other programs for everyday use.

Many will say: “ What to put there? Is everything simple there?”. And you know that the incorrect installation of the OS in most cases is the main cause of malfunctions when working on a computer, ranging from banal freezing and braking to errors at the hardware level.

How you put the operating system on your computer will determine how well it will serve you. So, let's figure out how to properly install Windows XP.

We analyzed enough material on the Internet on this topic, but we did not find a simple and adequate disclosure of the topic. Also, as a simplification of perception and a better understanding of the OS installation process, a video story with a detailed description was prepared.

Little attention was paid to such trifles as “buying a disc with an operating system”, “whether it is necessary to read the license agreement”. We focused on the initial setup of the installed system.

Basic steps to install Windows XP

• 1. The first thing to do is to change the boot order in BIOS to “boot from optical disk”. To do this, when loading the OS, you must click “ F2"Or" DEL", And go to the" BOOT”, Where by pressing the“ + " or " — ”, Edit the loading order so that the entry“ CD-Rom Drive”Was at the very top.

• 2. Save the settings by pressing the " F10”. When you restart your computer, the message “ Press any key to boot from CD ..”, You must press any key to start booting from the installation disk.
• 3. Next, preparation for installing the operating system will begin. When the welcome window appears, the system will once again ask you to confirm your intention to install a new OS, press the “Enter” key.
• 4. When the license agreement appears, click “ F8”To accept it and continue with the installation.
• 5. If you reinstall the OS, the installer will try to restore the installed version. We do not need this, press "Esc".
• 6. Next, perhaps the most important. Selecting a partition to install. If you already have a priori hard disk divided into logical partitions: system and one or more user, then this is very good. Then it will only be necessary to delete the system partition, then create it, format it and install a new OS on it.

If your hard drive has not been divided before, then it must be done right now. For what? Everything is very simple. By dividing the hard drive into the system part and the user part, you create an airbag for yourself. if the OS fails, in the worst case, you simply reinstall the OS on a formatted system partition, but the user data will remain safe on the user partition.

How to properly divide the hard drive, see the video. As an example, in the video tutorial, a 10 GB hard drive was considered. If your hard drive allows, make the system partition at least 20 GB.

• 7. Next, you need to format the partition with the NTFS file system type. Choose quick format.
• 8. The system will reboot, we will take a convenient moment and restore the boot from the hard disk in the BIOS settings, and not from the CD-Rom. We have already considered how to do this in the very first steps.
• 9. After reboot, the system will continue installation. The first window that appears will be “ Regional settings window”, Where you need to select the keyboard layout.
• 10. Next, the installer will ask you to enter a Name and Organization name. Enter only the Name and click next.
• 11. In the window that appears, enter the product license key. Be careful.
• 12. Set the Computer Name. Leave the admin password field blank for now.

Make the necessary date and time settings. One thing, but at the moment we have legally canceled the transition to winter time. I advise you to install the appropriate update from the official Microsoft website (WindowsXP-KB2570791-x86-RUS). This can be done after installing the OS.

• 13. Next, you need to determine whether the computer will work in the domain network or not. We do not change anything, we press “ Further”. We are waiting for the installation program to finish its work and reboot.

• 14. At the first start, the system will try to adjust the screen extension automatically. accept them if you are satisfied with the selected option. When the welcome window appears, click “ Further”, Postpone the automatic update settings, skip the settings to the Internet, postpone the registration with Microsoft.
• 15. Create an account.
• 16. Initial OS setup is mandatory. Watch the video and follow everything step by step. After completing all the settings, you will receive an optimally configured computer prepared for work.

How to install Windows XP correctly video

Watching the video, learning. If something is not clear, we ask questions.

So, first you need configure BIOS... To do this, turn on the computer and immediately hold down the key "Delete" (on some keyboards short "Del") on the keyboard until we get into BIOS (by the way, I almost forgot, your Windows XP boot disk should already be in your CD / DVD drive).

Your BIOS may look different. It depends on the manufacturer and. But fear not, the settings are mostly the same. In BIOS we will work with the arrow keys ←→↓ ... So, we went to BIOS, then go to the tab Advanced BIOS Features:

In your BIOS, the name of the tab may be different. If so, go through the tabs and find which one contains device boot options... In my case, this is how the device boot parameters look like:

Now our task is to make the computer boot from disk, i.e. on "First Boot Device" we will put CDROM... We do it like this (select the parameter opposite First Boot Device , press Enter on the keyboard and use the arrows to select CDROM):

It should look like this:

Such confirmation may appear. Push "Y" on the keyboard, which means "Yes"(Yes), and press Enter:

Then a reboot will occur. We are waiting for such an inscription to appear "Press any key to boot from CD"which means « press any key to boot from CD« ... We press any key:

And the installer will start. After checking the system configurations, you will be prompted to Repair your existing system or install a new OS. We choose "ENTER \u003d continue":

Then we accept the license agreement by pressing the button F8:

Then select the partition on which Windows will be installed. This is usually a section C:

Don't be afraid, click FROM:

We choose "Format partition in NTFS system":

Confirm with the key F:

Then copying files will start automatically:

The computer will then restart. Never click on "Enter-restart computer", otherwise the installation will be aborted. Let the computer restart itself:

After rebooting, you will again be prompted to press any key, nothing do not press otherwise you will start the installation again.

After the reboot, the installation will continue, but in a more attractive setting:

Set up the time, date, time zone and go further:

If this message appears, click OK:

Press again oK:

Select item Postpone this action:

We write the name of the account. Up to five is possible if there are several users:

That's all the installation is complete!

Hopefully installing Windows XP was successful. It remains only to install the drivers for the normal operation of the computer. Good luck !!!