Remove SP2

How do you remove SP2 if it was preinstalled with the XP installation?

I know if you install the update seperately, it will appear in Add/Remove programs, but is there another way?


Thanks,

-Steve

 

First, I have to ask why do you want to uninstall it? Usually you can check the box "Show Updates" at the top and it will show in the list but I wouldnt recommend uninstalling it.

 

# From the Start menu-->click Run-->then type C:windows$NtServicePackUninstall$spuninstspuninst.exe in the Open box-->and click OK.
# When the Removal wizard opens, click Next.
# Follow the onscreen instructions.

 

Damn that was fast!


Thanks guys!


-Steve

 

Heh, Google's awesome that way! I've never attempted this method, so let me know how it works out!

 

Hmmmm..

Windows cannot find 'C:windows$NtServicePackUninstall$spuninstspuninst.exe'


Any other ideas?

BJ, it doesn't appera in Add/Remove Programs, even with "Show Updates" checked.



-Steve

 

May I ask why you want to uninstall SP2?

 

I'm repairing a PC for a local biz. Turns out the HD is shot, so I swapped in another. To reinstall the OS, I had to use one of my XP discs, since their discs are at the office, which I don't have a key for, and since this PC needs to be back first thing Monday am, using my disc is my only option. As it turns out, the only XP Pro disc that I can find that is bootable is one that I slipstreamed SP2 onto.

The reason I want to now remove SP2 is because none of their PC's use SP2, they're all SP1. So for the sake of uniformity, I'd like this one to be identical to the others. Believe me, I've suggested to them we update them all to SP2, but their thing is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Well, you asked!


-Steve

 

Be sure you copy exactly what's in blue, I think something was left out before.

1. Click Start, click Run, type C:\WINDOWS\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe in the Open box, and then click OK.

2. When the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Removal Wizard starts, click Next.

3. Follow the instructions on the screen to remove Windows XP SP2.

 

Here is the message I get...

Like I said, SP2 wasn't actually "installed" on this PC. It is built into the installation, so I wonder if there would even be any uninstaller?


-Steve

 

It must depend on how it was installed.

I slipstreamed SP2 and it was installed along with XP, and that folder doesn't exist.

HERE are Micro$$ofts' suggestions.

 

What Insomniac said. Reread the post folks. SP2 was PREINSTALLED. There is no removing it. Its part of the OS, not an OS update, persay.

If you notice, C:\windows\servicepackfiles isn't there either, because there are no archives. There is no need. The OS was updated prior to install.

 

I totally agree with you.

-Steve