Windows XP Service Pack 2 Removal Through Add or Remove Programs

Note: Updates to Internet Explorer installed after Service Pack 2 will prevent removal of Service Pack 2. The new Internet Explorer updates must be removed prior to removing Service Pack 2.

  1. Open Control Panel.

    • From the Microsoft® Windows® XP default Start menu, click Control Panel.
    • From the classic Start menu, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

  2. In Control Panel, open Add or Remove Programs.

    • If you are in Category View, click Add or Remove Programs.
    • If you are in Classic View, double-click Add or Remove Programs.

  3. In the Add or Remove Programs window, select Windows XP Service Pack 2, and then click Remove.
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  4. In the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Removal Wizard dialog box, click Next.
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  5. Service Pack 2 inspects the configuration, checks for necessary disk space, stops services, restores catalogs, and then runs processes before removal.
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  6. The computer deletes installed SP2 files and copies backup files to the hard drive.
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  7. In the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Removal Wizard dialog box, click Finish to restart the computer.
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Note: If removing Service Pack 2 through Add or Remove Programs does not properly work, Service Pack 2 may be manually removed through Recovery Console.