Upgrading to Windows XP Professional
Objectives
This chapter helps you to prepare for the exam by covering the following Microsoft-specified objectives for the Installing Windows XP Professional section of the Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional exam:
Upgrade from a previous version of Windows to Windows XP Professional.
Prepare a computer to meet upgrade requirements.
Migrate existing user environments to a new installation.
Microsoft provides several upgrade paths for computers running recent versions of Windows. This objective is included to ensure that you know how and when to upgrade these versions of Windows to Windows XP Professional.
Perform post-installation updates and product activation.
After you have installed Windows XP Professional, you need to know how to activate the product with the Microsoft Clearing House. This objective also ensures that you know how to perform various types of updates to Windows XP, including Service Pack 2.
Outline
Introduction 112
Upgrading from a Previous Version of Windows to Windows XP Professional 112
Preparing a Computer to Meet Upgrade Requirements 112
Testing System Compatibility 113
Additional Preparatory Tasks 114
Upgrading the Computer to Windows XP Professional 115
Uninstalling Windows XP Professional 117
Migrating Existing User Environments to a New Installation 120
User State Migration Tool 120
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard 123
Deploying Service Pack 2 (SP2) 125
Preparation for Installing SP2 125
Slipstreaming SP2 Pre-Installation 126
Using Group Policy to Deploy SP2 Post-Installation 128
Applying Service Packs and Updates Manually 130
Using Software Update Services (SUS) 131
Performing Post-Installation Updates and Product Activation 132
Installing Updates and Hotfixes 133
- Managing Automatic Updates 133
Chapter Summary 136
Apply Your Knowledge 136
Study Strategies
When studying the contents of this chapter, pay attention to the various methods of upgrading older Windows computers to Windows XP, and of upgrading Windows XP to include software updates, such as Service Pack 2, patches, and hotfixes. You should practice the various procedures several times, including updates from various older Windows operating systems and different means of installing Service Pack 2. Be sure you know when you can upgrade directly to Windows XP and when you can install the various post-installation upgrades.
Introduction
As Microsoft introduces new versions of its Windows operating system, many users around the world want to take advantage of the features included in the new version without purchasing new computers. Consequently, Microsoft has made available upgrade paths that enable users to upgrade older versions of Windows. By upgrading earlier versions of Windows to Windows XP Professional, you can retain registry settings and account information contained in the older operating system.