103. How Do I Remove Windows XP Service Pack
2 (SP2) From My PC
Removing the Windows XP Service pack 2 from your
computer should not be undertaken lightly. Doing so
will inevitably make your PC more vulnerable to malicious
attack. However, there are occasions when it may
become necessary to remove the service pack, either
because you are experiencing problems with the
service pack update or because you need to
re-install the service pack to cure an ongoing
problem.
It should be noted that, wherever possible, it is
far better to uninstall the service pack than try to
re-install the service pack on top of the original.
The reason for this is that, rather than installing
'on top of' the original service pack what actually
happens is that the service pack is simply installed
to an alternative directory. The result, therefore,
is that the new folder takes up a further 50 to
100MB of space on your hard drive.
In all there are four possible ways of removing
the service pack.
- Use Add/Remove programs option in Control
Panel.
- Use the hidden $NtServicePackUninstall$
folder.
- Try a System Restore.
- Use the Recovery Console.
Add/Remove Programs Option.
- Click the Start button.
- From the Start Menu click Control Panel.
- In Control Panel click the
Add/Remove icon.
- From the Add/Remove window
locate Windows XP Service Pack 2
and then select the Remove option.
- Now follow the onscreen instructions for
removing the service pack.
- Finally click the Start
button.
- From the Start Menu select Run.
- In the Run dialogue box type:
sfc /scannow and press
OK. You will need your Windows XP CD at the ready for the system to
scan and replace files.
Use System Restore
- Click the Start button
- From the Start Menu click
All Programs followed by
Accessories>SystemTools>System Restore.
- Click Restore my computer to an
earlier time and then click Next.
- When the System Restore calendar
appears select the date you installed SP2
and then click Next.
- System Restore will now roll back your
installation to the date and time selected.
Use the hidden $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder
- Click the Start button.
- From the Start Menu click Run.
- In the Run dialogue box type: c:\windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe
and click OK.
- The Windows XP Service Pack 2 Removal
Wizard will now start.
- When the Wizard starts click Next.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to remove
SP2.