I was thinking about uninstalling Windows XP on my MacBook Pro and install it on my storage friendly iMac. Any suggestions as to how to do this properly? I want to make sure I can regain the partitioned hard drive space, uninstall Windows, have no problem installing Windows on my iMac, and still keep my copy of Windows genuine and activated.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Remove Windows and Install Elsewhere properly in Boot Camp
- Thread starter applekid
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Assuming it was a retail version of XP, and you installed it some time ago (~3 months+), you should have no trouble reactivating it on the new machine. If it was more recently you'll have to do the whole call-in thing, but it'll still be fine.
If it wasn't a retail copy, e.g. OEM, you might have more "fun".
B
Great... I guess I'm going to have fun...
But, if it was retail, it's a matter of uninstalling, deleting the partition, and then moving to a new machine and just activate it as usual?
Is the license transferrable to a whole new machine? I was under the impression that it allowed for updates, but...
In any event, I can definitively answer the first part of your question: yes, you can reclaim the partitioned space without having to wipe your HD. Just run the Boot Camp Assistant in your Utilities folder again. It'll give you the option to non-destructively merge the Windows partition back into your Mac's startup volume.
Yup, that's one of the "perks" you get by paying more for a retail copy. Transfer rights that usually work, unless you reinstall "too often" according to Microsoft.
B