Chapter 3. Upgrading to Windows XP Professional
ObjectivesThis chapter helps you to prepare for the exam by covering the following Microsoft-specified objectives for the Installing Windows XP Professional section of the Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional exam:Upgrade from a previous version of Windows to Windows XP Professional.Prepare a computer to meet upgrade requirements.Migrate existing user environments to a new installation.Microsoft provides several upgrade paths for computers running recent versions of Windows. This objective is included to ensure that you know how and when to upgrade these versions of Windows to Windows XP Professional.Perform post-installation updates and product activation.After you have installed Windows XP Professional, you need to know how to activate the product with the Microsoft Clearing House. This objective also ensures that you know how to perform various types of updates to Windows XP, including Service Pack 2.Outline IntroductionUpgrading from a Previous Version of Windows to Windows XP ProfessionalPreparing a Computer to Meet Upgrade RequirementsTesting System CompatibilityAdditional Preparatory TasksUpgrading the Computer to Windows XP ProfessionalUninstalling Windows XP ProfessionalMigrating Existing User Environments to a New InstallationUser State Migration ToolFiles and Settings Transfer WizardDeploying Service Pack 2 (SP2)Preparation for Installing SP2Slipstreaming SP2 Pre-InstallationUsing Group Policy to Deploy SP2 Post-InstallationApplying Service Packs and Updates ManuallyUsing Software Update Services (SUS)Performing Post-Installation Updates and Product ActivationInstalling Updates and HotfixesManaging Automatic UpdatesChapter SummaryApply Your KnowledgeStudy StrategiesWhen studying the contents of this chapter, pay attention to the various methods of upgrading older Windows computers to Windows XP, and of upgrading Windows XP to include software updates, such as Service Pack 2, patches, and hotfixes. You should practice the various procedures several times, including updates from various older Windows operating systems and different means of installing Service Pack 2. Be sure you know when you can upgrade directly to Windows XP and when you can install the various post-installation upgrades.