Windows 98 to XP Home

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If I buy a full version of XP home, will I be able to upgrade windows 98 without having to format?
 
The first thing the XP installer will do is delete the default Windows, Program Files, and Mydocuments right from the start. But XP will readily install to the current Fat32 partition without a need to wipe the drive. This will save files and other things in other folders. But for the best overall performance when going from a dos shelled OS to one with an NT core XP will run best on it's native NTFS type partition. You should plan on backing up things anyways whenever you decide to change versions of Windows as well as different OSs to prevent losing anything important.
 
Its always better to perform a clean install of any operating system. My preference would be to back up all my important stuff then completely format the drive to the NTFS file system.
 
As others have said, it's better to go with a clean install. However if you do want to upgrade, you can insert the XP CD when your in 98 and it will give you an option to upgrade.
 
re: Formating to the NTFS File System. I just put a new drive in my computer and am planning on installing W98 and then my XP Home Upgrade.
So far I have let the W98 disk format the drive. If I start from scratch will the XP Upgrade format the drive to NTFS?
 
arrowshooter said:
re: Formating to the NTFS File System. I just put a new drive in my computer and am planning on installing W98 and then my XP Home Upgrade.
So far I have let the W98 disk format the drive. If I start from scratch will the XP Upgrade format the drive to NTFS?
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After creating and formatting the initial Fat32 primary XP will simply delete the 98 installation you put on the drive when upgrading. XP will install onto Fat partitions just as well as NTFS. For later conversion of the existing Fat partition one set of instructions is seen at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307881

The drawback of not starting off with an NTFS are more evident when going to dual OS a two with two Fat partitions with XP installed after 98 on the second one. You always install the older version first before the newer since that is meant to upgrade there. Some of these problems are described at http://www.mvps.org/marksxp/WindowsXP/fatntfs.php
 
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