How to Restore the XP Operating System

Over time, a computer becomes filled with bulky and extraneous files, leading to slow performance or damaging errors. You may want to reformat the hard drive and set the computer back to the original operating system settings. Most computer manufacturers supply the Microsoft Windows XP operating system CDs with their computers. You will need the CDs to recover the operating system.

• 1

  Start up the computer. Insert the first XP operating system CD into the CD-ROM drive. Look for the Auto-Play dialog window to appear. Press a key on the keyboard at the "Press any key to boot CD" message. Allow the computer to restart.

• 2

  Wait for the computer to load the data on the CD; this make take several minutes. Press the "Enter" key when you are asked if you want to install Windows XP.

• 3

  Accept the terms of the End-User License Agreement (EULA). Press the "F8" key.

• 4

  Select the hard-drive partition on which you want to install XP; in most cases, this is the "C" drive.

• 5

  Select the "NFTS" option when you are asked which formatting process you want to install. Press the "F" key to continue the format.

• 6

  Allow the process to continue; this may take several minutes. Be aware that the computer will reboot on its own.

• 7

  Supply the computer with your user information when prompted (name, country, computer name). Follow the onscreen prompts.

• 8

  Wait for the main "Welcome" screen to appear.