When all is said and done WinXP => Win98!

I have a new computer and am very unhappy with Windows XP Home. Would it be possible to uninstall the Windows XP and install windows 98 without running into a lot of problems?

- Larry

This question was answered on July 15, 2004. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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Without a real understanding of what you don’t like about Windows XP, I can only offer general advice.

If you have a new system, you really do want to keep it matched with the newer operating system In addition to all of the potential installation problems, you also introduce a myriad of on-going compatibility issues and will void any warranty and/or support that you would have been entitled to because it is no longer the same system that you purchased

For the most part, users that complain about how much they dislike Windows XP are really just not comfortable with the various changes that were made to the default interface settings.

From a technical standpoint, the reliability and compatibility of Windows XP with today’s hardware, software and accessories is far better than Windows 98.

It is also better suited for today’s memory hungry applications that could easily bring Windows 98 to its knees.

And, Microsoft is nearing the end of its support cycle for Windows 98 and many hardware and software vendors are following suit.

If the primary problem that you are having is that you want Windows XP to look and feel more like Windows 98, then there are a number of things that you can do that are much less drastic than reloading your old operating system.

To change the ‘Start Menu’ back to ‘old school’, right-click on the Windows Start button, then select ‘Properties’ from the drop down menu In the ‘Taskbar and Start Menu Properties’ window, click on the small circle to the left of "Classic Start Menu" and click on Ok.

To change the Control Panel back to reveal all of the icons, look for the ‘Switch to Classic View’ option in the left column of the Control Panel window.

If you don't like the way XP groups ‘Taskbar’ items, right-click on any blank part of the Taskbar (at the bottom of the screen) and select ‘Properties’ Remove the checkmark from the ‘Group similar taskbar buttons’ option.

If you like the older look on the Desktop, right-click on a blank area of the Desktop, then select Properties On the ‘Themes’ tab, click on the pull-down menu and select ‘Windows Classic’, then click OK.

If you don’t like XP's folder style, simply open any folder and choose ‘Icons’ from the ‘View’ menu Then click on the ‘Tools’ menu, then ‘Folder Options’ to select the ‘Use Windows Classic Folders’ in the Tasks section To make this a global setting, click the ‘View’ tab and

then click the ‘Apply to All Folders’ button

If you like having access to the ‘Control Panel’ from ‘My Computer’, then while you are in the ‘View’ settings, scroll down the ‘Advanced settings:’ section and place a checkmark in front of the ‘Show Control Panel in My Computer’ option.

Another option in the same area that seems to drive users crazy is the ‘Remember each folder’s view settings’ which retains the various settings for each folder that you work with If you always want it to be the same in every folder, remove the checkmark from this option.

Change is always hard, but in this case, it really is in your best interest (long term) to learn the new ways!

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Posted by Ken Colburn of Data Doctors on July 15, 2004

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