convert windows vista to XP?

Strictly from the licensing side:

1) You would need to purchase MS Windows XP Retail to install on your computer.

2) You can't sell the Vista license that came with the computer you purchased. It is an OEM copy and tied to that hardware. You can't resell it without selling the whole computer.

As for downgrading, consider the following:

- driver support for your hardware (i.e. will you be able to find XP drivers compatible with your hardware)

- OS support (Windows XP will be supported at some level through 2014, but mainstream support will focus on Vista and Windows 7). Consider carefully what level of patch support you are comfortable with. XP will be around for a while (just look at Windows 95 and how long people have and are using it).

If you really want to downgrade, I'd suggest looking at a dual boot solution to ensure everything works. If not dual boot, try pulling the current hard drive, storing that in a safe place, and then building XP on a new one. This will easily let you get back to Vista should you have any problems with XP on the hardware.

Microsoft no longer makes, sales or supports XP. Good luck finding a copy. You MIGHT be able to find one online, but you run the risk it is a used a copy and the activation code has already been used (making it worthless).

Check to be sure that there are drivers available for your laptop for XP. Most laptops released in the last year by HP are NOT XP compatible. You will lose your video card, your sound, and possibly by Internet access if you convert to XP without drivers.

Since Microsoft is no longer supporting XP and releasing updates for it, you will be placing your computer at major risk of any one viruses, security holes, bugs etc found in the future. Microsoft will no longer be fixing those for you free with their weekly updates.

Plus within the next year, the software and new hardware being released on the market will no longer be XP compatible. Forget playing any of the new games or running any of the latest programs.

A better solution would be to take the same money you would have to spend on buying a copy of XP, and waiting until October when they plan to release Windows 7. Then UPGRADE to the latest version of Windows and be ready for the next five years, rather then downgrading to a dead version that will be worthless within a year.

I am sure it will run XP. I have put XP on several PC's that had Win98 so you should be good to go. Get an Upgrade disk(their cheaper than a full version) and do a "Clean Install" of XP. Save any files you want to keep on CD/DVD and put the XP disc in while running Windows. Then choose a custom install instead of an upgrade. I have never done an Upgrade that did not have problems. You need to do a "Clean Install" and make sure you have the Ethernet driver to install when you are finished installing Windows or you will not get online to install the other drivers or Updates. Go to the Mfg. Support site for drivers and download the chipset driver first if it is available. The first Update you will be offered is SP3. Agree and download it. There will be about 45 other Updates. Good luck and have fun.

u must buy windows xp on disk best place to buy of which i know of would have to be ebay search for windows xp i dont think you can sell the license but u could sell it to someone that want to buy it my opinion is that you should stick with windows vista (for security reasons and the fact that there is windows 7 coming out soon) so if anything you should be going to upgrade it if you need any help please just email me @ william_321@live.com.au

Hey there yes you have to buy windows XP but before doing so you have to make sure the manufacture has all the xp drivers for the Notebook like Wireless cards and sounds and nic cards first

There is no "economic" solution. You need to purchase a full copy of Windows XP.

But on a side note, why on earth do you want to downgrade to XP? Vista is superior in just about every way.

most likely your chipset/mother board will not allow you to install XP because they have to be made for that operating system. and srsly, vista is NOT that bad at all. people just love to complain.

this will only work if your PC is XP compatible which it is most likely not.

No you can't do that. You will have to buy a fresh copy of XP. Buy it and then format the computer and install XP.

Downgrading is worth it. Vista is really slow.

You cannot DOWNGRADE a Micro$oft operating system... in fact I don't think you can downgrade any operating system. Upgrades of M$ operating systems are unstable enough.... you need to do a clean install of windows XP if you want to use it, which means buy a new install disc... or 'find one' and do the install. There is no way around it.

No way yo can do that you need to buy a Windows XP Licensed copy.....