Member Avatar for markauty

I have bought XP Professional and when I try and upgrade my Home Edition PC it says that the version is newer than the one I am trying to install.

I have uninstalled all the hotfixes and patched that I can but there are still 5 or 6 left which it wont let me uninstall - is this the reason why it wont let me install professional on this PC. This is driving me crazy, please can somebody help?

Thanks

Mark Auty

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Probable cause and quick checks: the installer message typically means the copy of Windows currently on the machine has a later service-pack/hotfix level than the Professional CD (so Setup refuses an “older” install over a newer one). Confirm the exact build and service pack with the winver utility, and open Control Panel → Add or Remove Programs and tick “Show updates” to list installed hotfixes and service‑packs. (learn.microsoft.com)

Why that blocks the Pro upgrade and a practical fix: if Service Pack 2 (or a set of hotfixes) was integrated into the Home image (OEM recovery or a slipstreamed install), those components can’t be peeled off by Add/Remove and will block an older Pro disc. The practical, low‑risk solution is to use Professional media that is the same build or newer — either obtain a retail Pro disc that already includes SP2 or create a Pro+SP2 CD by slipstreaming the SP2 network package into the Pro media (tools like nLite automate this workflow: extract the SP2 package, point nLite at the i386 files, integrate and burn a new ISO). (terabyteunlimited.com)

If creating new media isn’t an option: the usual fallback is a clean reinstall. To avoid the pain of reinstalling every device driver, export drivers first (tools commonly used for XP-era systems include Double Driver and DriverBackup!). Also archive product keys, printer/scanner drivers and any OEM recovery discs before wiping. After reinstall, install storage/chipset drivers first, network next, then peripherals. (win-tipps-tweaks.de)

Notes tied to earlier replies: correctly flagged a SP mismatch as the root cause, and ’s recommendation to back up and reinstall is a reliable fallback when slipstreaming or matching media aren’t available. For OEM machines where SPs are baked into the factory image, check for manufacturer recovery media or support before attempting removals or clean installs.

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Member Avatar for chrisbliss18

If your version of Professional isn't patched with SP2, that is your problem. You might just have to install over the current version of XP.

Member Avatar for markauty

If your version of Professional isn't patched with SP2, that is your problem. You might just have to install over the current version of XP.

It wont let me install over current version and I cant buy Professional with Service Pack 2 already installed on CD!

The PC wont let me uninstall ALL of the hotfixes in add/remove programs and service Pack 2 isnt even listed there but it is on the PC as when I right click my computer and then properties it says it has service pack 2 still installed.

What is the best way around this - to find Professional with Service Pack 2 on and install over top?

This has been a nightmare. Thanks for your help.

Member Avatar for MartyMcFly

The best way around it, is to back up all your data, make a note of any configuration information, (such as drivers), and reinstall XP Home, (as long as it is not a SP2 Edition). Then upgrade to Pro over the top, and then let MS update take care of SP2 and hotfixes again.

This is the only way imo, to avoid an extra cost of XP Pro SP2.

Member Avatar for markauty

Thanks for this but this means reinstalling all the drivers for scanner, printer etc does it?

Member Avatar for MartyMcFly

Yes it does, but, this is the only possibility to avoid extra expendature.

At least this way, you get to make a note of everything that currently exists, how it is set up. for example I always list device manager, if i think that I might have problems with default drivers.

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