Two Win XP operating systems on computer

[Spam Me Please]

I had to reinstall Win XP on my computer. I now have two operating systems
on my computer. How do I go about deleting the one I do not need.

[R. C. White]

Hi, Spamless.

Delete the "boot folder" for the unwanted one. WinXP uses the name
\Windows, by default, when creating the boot folder for WinXP, but if the
second installation went into the same volume as the first, then it would
have had to use a different name, perhaps \Windows(1). So you may have
C:\Windows and D:\Windows, or you may have C:\Windows and C:\Windows(1).
Win XP won't let you delete its own boot folder - the one it is currently
using - but it sees the second one as "just another folder". So, boot into
your "good" copy and remove the unneeded boot folder; if WinXP doesn't
refuse to delete it, you've picked the right one. This should remove the
entire folder, including all subfolders and files.

Then run msconfig from the Run prompt. On the Boot.ini tab, click Check All
Boot Paths. This should automatically edit C:\boot.ini and remove the
reference to the now-deleted boot folder.

That should do it. If you have problems, post back.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP

"Spam Me Please" > wrote in message
...
> I had to reinstall Win XP on my computer. I now have two operating
systems
> on my computer. How do I go about deleting the one I do not need.

[Sharon F]

On Fri, 24 Oct 2003 09:21:54 -0500, R. C. White wrote:

> So, boot into
> your "good" copy and remove the unneeded boot folder; if WinXP doesn't
> refuse to delete it, you've picked the right one.

Another way to do this:
While logged on to the Windows installation you want to keep, click Start >
Run and type in %windir%

Windows Explorer will open with the focus on the Windows folder currently
in use.
--
Sharon F
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User