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107. How Do I Remove Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) From My PC

Important Question! Can your PC Run Faster?

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.

  1. Use Add/Remove programs option in Control Panel.
  2. Use the hidden $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder.
  3. Try a System Restore.
  4. Use the recovery Console.

Add/Remove Programs Option.

1/ Click the Start button.

2/ From the Start Menu click Control Panel.

3/ In Control Panel click the Add/Remove icon.

4/ From the Add/Remove window locate Windows XP Service Pack 2 and then select the Remove option.

5/ Now follow the onscreen instructions for removing the service pack.

6/ Finally click the Start button.

7/ From the Start Menu select Run.

8/ 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

1/ Click the Start button

2/ From the Start Menu click All Programs followed by Accessories>SystemTools>System Restore.

3/ Click Restore my computer to an earlier time and then click Next.

4/ When the System Restore calendar appears select the date you installed SP2 and then click Next.

5/ System restore will now roll back your installation to the date and time selected.

Use the hidden $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder

1/ Click the Start button.

2/ From the Start Menu click Run.

3/ In the Run dialogue box type: c:\windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe and click OK.

4/ The Windows XP Service Pack 2 Removal Wizard will now start.

5/ When the Wizard starts click Next.

6/ Follow the onscreen instructions to remove SP2.