How do I UNinstall Windows 8? - Windows 8

OK, so I installed Windows 8 a week ago and... well, frankly, I don't quite like it. Half of my games can't even run, I had to go through a lot of stuff to enable D-Link and download .NET Framework, and the Explorer takes a lot of time getting used to; and the biggest problem I have so far is that there's no sound - I'm getting the "Audio Device is not running" problem, so I just thought of going back to the good old XP.
Now, here's where the problems come in.
First of all, I don't have an original Windows XP install disc for the Refresh function to work. It was installed on my PC when I bought it, but I got no Windows installation discs.
Second, I did not dual-boot. I have one 1TB HDD, where I installed Windows 8. So, there's no way of just installing XP "on a different drive".
Finally, I have gone through some forums telling me that there is a format option available when I put in the Windows 8 installation disc. If I could format the PC, I would get it to a PC service where I still have a warranty, and tell them to install XP. One problem - where is the bloody format function? When I put the CD in, it only gives me an option to install Windows 8 again..
Can someone please help? Thanks in advance.

EASY one HERE as LONG as you initially turn on System Restore (Windows 7 & 8). All you have to do then is use
Godmode, and find the switch in GodMode to restore your settings. To get godmode follow the instructions below.

Right click desktop, chose new folder, then in the area to name the folder paste this there:
GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
then press enter, and INSTANT godmode!

That will be $89.99 make check or money order payable to Bill Gates I/C/O Microsoft Corp 1 Microsoft Way. Redmond, Wa. LoL

Good info on getting to Godmode but the restore program won't acknowledge that there were previous restore points or that one was ever set. I set one right before I installed Windows 8. Any suggestions on removing it?

All I know is to format the drive where you installed it. And install another one.

Seems system can't be uninstalled. It is not a software but system!

I just install win 8 consumer preview on VM Workstation.

if I do not wanna use it, I just turn off my virtual machine.

Have no such kind of annoyance.

People...People...People... YOU should of NEVER installed Win8 DP or CP without using a boot manager! Or at the very least a VM (Virtual Machine) I have running in separate space Win 7, Win 8DP, and Win 8CP.

The original OP installed Win 8 DP (judging by the time frame) directly into his XP partition, thus overwriting his XP OS. He no longer has any of the XP OS restore functions available.

Can you borrow an XP installation disk from someone? This disk along with your original OEM key should work to reinstall your original XP OS. Of course all updates and apps will have to be installed as well.

This is a valuable lesson. Never replace an existing, activated OS with a beta OS. Always use virtualization or dual booting.

We do learn by the mistakes we make! Eh?

The only saving grace on this whole mess, is that most PC makers do supply a driver pack for every model.
That is, if it's not a homemade PC or one from a Brand-X company.

I have dozens of CD's with driver packs for many models of PC's. HP is probably the best company for providing Driver Packs.

But it's always best, to "Think before you act". Go through all the "What if's" before you ever do anything to your computer. And if there's even one chance in a million, that something could go terribly wrong, make a full backup of your C: drive or partition before you do anything that could damage it.
I have two computers running Ghost backups of the C: partitions as I sit here typing this.
The only bad backup is the one that you decided NOT to make.

I try to be as safe as humanly possible when testing a new OS. After all, it is called "TESTING".
You never "TEST" anything new and UN-Tested on your main HD. At least that's MY own Rule #1.

If I had that computer here, I could reinstall XP and all the drivers and updates in just a couple of hours.
Any reputable Computer shop should be able to do it.

Good Luck,
TechnoMage

Backup! Backup! Backup! Ghost Rocks!
Experience is truly the best teacher.

No Beta OS should ever be installed, except as, follows:

1. On a spare machine
2. Virtually
3. As a dual-boot.

Never as an Upgrade or replacement to an existing, current, non-beta OS. Never on a production machine.
Nor, BTW, can one move from 1 Beta of an OS to the next or from Beta to RTM, etc... from Build to Build or stage to stage, except by clean installs.

Programs & software must be installed, after a fresh OS install.

Cheers,
Drew

There were clear warnings posted on the download site for Windows 8 CP about this. Here is the list of them that I read carefully before I installed it the 1st time. On that 1st install, it was on a HDD (an old WD 40GB that I had laying around) by itself, as I wanted to take no chances.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview: frequently asked questions

This link provides many of the answers that beginners of Windows 8 CP needs to know.

Cat

It's funny, but the guys at the big box store repair desks, like at Best Buy or Staples have a one word solution to the Uninstall problem.

It's "Re-Format". If they don't know anything else, they know that!

TM

Backup! Backup! Backup! Ghost Rocks!
Experience is truly the best teacher.

I've had clients who thought THE 1 word cure-all must be "Defrag"

Drew

Originally Posted by Drew

I've had clients who thought THE 1 word cure-all must be "Defrag"

Drew

That action does help, it's part of maintaining a computer, but is certainly not a cure-all for everything.

Cat

The sad comedy to the myth Cat, is, it doesn't actually 'Fix' anything, per se. Helps things which, is why modern OSs do it wkly, by default but, it does not 'repair', anything & everything but, some End Users think it does.

Drew

No, it won't Fix what is broken, that's for sure.

Narrat0r, there are recovery disk sets available for many makes & models of computers. Simply Google "recovery disks for (the make & model of your computer)". You should get some hits that way. You may have to substitute the word "recovery" with "reinstall", but you should get the picture. It's how I found recovery disks for my sister's PC.

When ordering, make sure to have the right model # handy, it should be somewhere on the bottom of the computer if a notebook, on the side or back if a PC.

Expect to pay from $15 to $25 for them, and either use a credit card or a debit card/bank account linked to PayPal so that you won't get burned.

And once you do get this thing right again, learn to backup your computer. There are a few great free backup programs for you to choose from. Macrium is my favorite for disk imaging, Todo for files/data.

Cat