downgrad3 from Windows 2000 professional to Windows 98

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Bill

I just acquired a used laptop computer and it has Windows
2000 Professional installed. I wish to downgrade to
Windows 98 to match my home computer. Is this foolish and
if not, how do I do it? Thanks
 
Well, there is no way to downgrade if by that you mean keep all existing settings. The only way is to format the hard drive and install Windows 98 fresh. I suggest you try Windows 2000 if the install is working correctly. There is always the potential of install problems with any OS, and you will likely have to spend a lot of time finding drivers, installing applications, updating, etc. You might find you like Windows 2000 if you use it for awhile.

Perhaps the best reason to keep Windows 2000 though, is that Windows 98 goes to unsupported status in less than 2 months, January 16, 2004, while Windows 2000 still has 2 1/2 years yet to reach that point. More information here, Windows Desktop Product Life Cycle Support and Availability Policies for Consumers: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/desktop/consumer/default.mspx.

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Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

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If you are thinking of downgradeing the OS this will require a new load
possibly Fdisk/format which I would do anyways. Just be sure to have all the
Win 98 Drivers prior to starting to avoid a supprise. I just discovered the
hard way that some of the new computer Motherboards will NOT support Win98.
 
Perhaps the best reason to keep Windows 2000 though, is that Windows 98 goes to unsupported status in less than 2 months, January 16,
2004, while Windows 2000 still has 2 1/2 years yet to reach that point. More information here, Windows Desktop Product Life Cycle
Support and Availability Policies for Consumers: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/desktop/consumer/default.mspx.
Click to expand...

Sentiment seconded - and unsupported seems to mean dump a few abnoxious bugs in your 98se system then close down the
windows update site. If you do install win98se don't upgrade IE above version 5; and then install a firewall to keep all the
hackers of the world from using it to host porn websites.
 
What you might do is see if the Manufacturer installed 98 on it as an
option originally. If so then you are likely to be successful. SE
version would be preferable to the original 98 if you really decide to
go that way. (I always hate to "upgrade" a working PC's operating system)
 
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