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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Technology
Jack Schofield

Upgrading Windows 2000 Pro

I have bought two used Dell Optiplexes for £70 each, to give to my kids as starter PCs. One has Windows 2000 Pro but all our other PCs are on XP Home. Do I have any options other than buying a full version of XP for £140? Mike O'Connell

Microsoft says you can only upgrade Windows 2000 Pro to XP Pro, not XP Home. However, if you have the Windows 2000 Pro CD, you may find an upgrade version of Windows XP Home will accept this as valid media for doing a "clean install" rather than an in-place upgrade. If any readers have done this, please let me know.

Backchat: Reader Ian Park has confirmed that it worked for him.

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