DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Install XP without formatting

22 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/install-xp-without-formatting.50525/

A
abhijangda Original post #1
Feb 24, 2007 at 4:08 PM
Hey friend I am posting this thread as I think it will be very usefull for u.I was reinstalling xp and then found that we can also reinstall xp without formatting the drive C:. All u have to do is that in text based installation phase after selecting the drive u format it but don't do that u just do leave the current changes. Then setup will said that previous installation of xp was found in \windows and ask u if u want to delete the files or not. It will delete Windows folder and Documents and Settings folder. Some folder in Program Files like common files, windows update and windows nt (or other which are related to windows functioning) will be deleted and then install xp in the same way in GUI based setup mode as u do when u format ur hard disk. You have to delete the folders of the programs which u have install and then reinstall. This will be very usefull for those specially who install there windows very frequently and can save there hard disk from formatting frequently. Following folder's will be deleted:-
Documents and Settings (may be not sure)
Windows (sure)
Program Files\Windows Update, Windows NT, Common Files etc. (sure)
Note :- I have tested this only for the single boot not dual boot and it could only work if u have xp already installed on ur computer.
Good Luck
Arsenal_Gunners
Feb 24, 2007 at 4:20 PM
Wrong section-Should be in tutorials
dheeruymv1212
Feb 24, 2007 at 4:28 PM
nice thank u.... i am so vexed with all da installation...but i didn't understand 1 thing tat ...can we have all da applications which installed previously..?????if so ....it's nice.....
T
thunderbird.117 #4
Feb 24, 2007 at 4:57 PM
dheeruymv1212 said:
nice thank u.... i am so vexed with all da installation...but i didn't understand 1 thing tat ...can we have all da applications which installed previously..?????if so ....it's nice.....

If you are repairing the OS. The data will be intact.
uchiha.sasuke
Feb 24, 2007 at 6:49 PM
@dheeruymv1212

yes i guess u can use all the installed app.. but frm the program file folder....u have to put their shortcut in program folders in Document & Setting......but there is one more thing ...these work only for the programs which are installed for all users...some programs are installed for only current user...so the 'll not work.....m not absolutely sure ,but i guess MS Office is one of them....
shantanu
Feb 24, 2007 at 8:34 PM
Wrong section DUDE !!!! should be moved to tutorials... GOOD one
ravi_9793
Feb 24, 2007 at 10:54 PM
-Wrong section-

U can save ur my document folder also...u get a option for that during installation.
A
Feb 24, 2007 at 11:29 PM
dheeruymv1212 said:
nice thank u.... i am so vexed with all da installation...but i didn't understand 1 thing tat ...can we have all da applications which installed previously..?????if so ....it's nice.....
Sorry, to tell u friend that not all applications can work. Some applications like Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, Ms Office which also make some files in windows folder might not work. But didn't worry repair them then they should work. Others apps which don't make files iin windows folder will surely work.
ravi_9793
Feb 24, 2007 at 11:53 PM
^^..yes U need 2 install all the drivers and required software again...n also U need to register ur Xp again.
Shasanka_Gogoi
Feb 26, 2007 at 4:56 PM
Thanks for sharing. Appreciate that!
47shailesh
Feb 26, 2007 at 6:09 PM
Already know that dude...

and ya you will loose MY DOCS FOLDER for that install ;)
phreak0ut
phreak0ut #12
Feb 26, 2007 at 6:19 PM
^^Yeah and when i tried it out, it slowed down my system a hell lot slower :(
nileshgr
nileshgr #13
Feb 26, 2007 at 6:33 PM
It's useless. Here's a better method to protect data

It's useless. Here's a better method:

First Install xp. now install all possible programs in D:/(non-windows drive). Keep all documents in E:/ Before reinstalling xp, export your registry to a .reg file in E:/ or D:/ Do not del all programs from D:/ After reinstallation of xp with/without formatting C:/ import your registry. All programs are avaliable!
Note: I have have never tried this but this was told to me by a friend. What he says may/may not be true.

This is a method to prevent data+program loss
47shailesh
Feb 26, 2007 at 7:04 PM
The Unknown said:
It's useless. Here's a better method:

First Install xp. now install all possible programs in D:/(non-windows drive). Keep all documents in E:/ Before reinstalling xp, export your registry to a .reg file in E:/ or D:/ Do not del all programs from D:/ After reinstallation of xp with/without formatting C:/ import your registry. All programs are avaliable!
Note: I have have never tried this but this was told to me by a friend. What he says may/may not be true.

This is a method to prevent data+program loss


If you r not sure then why create a chaos here

Also WHAT ABOUT THE COMMON FOLDERS:

Do You want user to copy that too the daily basis:D :D

Dude what @abhijangda suggested not "USELESS"
nileshgr
nileshgr #15
Feb 26, 2007 at 8:53 PM
47shailesh said:
If you r not sure then why create a chaos here

Also WHAT ABOUT THE COMMON FOLDERS:

Do You want user to copy that too the daily basis:D :D

Dude what @abhijangda suggested not "USELESS"

i dont knw. r those reqd?
47shailesh
Feb 26, 2007 at 9:14 PM
ya dude file in common folders are required coz they are shared by many programs in system that's why they are kept in common folder..

Also when you install a program they always do not go to program fils and regisitry only manier times there fragmenst are distributed in Windows folder also.
So copying only the sw folders in prog files is not the sol always..

hope u got that ;)
nileshgr
nileshgr #17
Feb 26, 2007 at 9:32 PM
47shailesh said:
ya dude file in common folders are required coz they are shared by many programs in system that's why they are kept in common folder..

Also when you install a program they always do not go to program fils and regisitry only manier times there fragmenst are distributed in Windows folder also.
So copying only the sw folders in prog files is not the sol always..

hope u got that ;)
u mean that the trick wud not work??
I
ismart #18
Feb 27, 2007 at 3:42 PM
Re: It's useless. Here's a better method to protect data

The Unknown said:
It's useless. Here's a better method:

First Install xp. now install all possible programs in D:/(non-windows drive). Keep all documents in E:/ Before reinstalling xp, export your registry to a .reg file in E:/ or D:/ Do not del all programs from D:/ After reinstallation of xp with/without formatting C:/ import your registry. All programs are avaliable!
Note: I have have never tried this but this was told to me by a friend. What he says may/may not be true.

This is a method to prevent data+program loss
All info are UNKNOWN for me....thanx a lo for sharing.:p
nileshgr
nileshgr #19
Feb 27, 2007 at 3:44 PM
Re: It's useless. Here's a better method to protect data

ismart said:
All info are UNKNOWN for me....thanx a lo for sharing.:p

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL Good joke with my username.
47shailesh
Feb 27, 2007 at 3:56 PM
@The Unknown for some programs it will work and for some it does'nt depending on the install hoe it keeps a sw files on different loacation....
A
Mar 31, 2007 at 11:20 PM
Hey friends the easiest way is to do that thing which the unknown.
anandk
anandk #22
Apr 1, 2007 at 10:38 AM
backup ur my doc folders, back up ur drivesr using driver max. and on a fresh reinstall u can easily use these 2 agn.