The title is a bit misleading, but this is basically the cleanest install you’ll get of Windows XP on your system without having to format your hard drive. Many need to do a destructive install of XP, destructive because you’re formatting your hard drive and thus losing all that’s on it, due to root-kit type spyware or other problems that prevent ones install from being productive. We do it week in and week out as Microsoft has kept us well employed in the day time. While we back up data files, we can’t backup program installs and some customers dread this. If you’re such a person, then this non-destructive reinstall of Windows XP may be what you’re looking for.

In short, the article shows you how to navigate through Microsoft’s confusing messages during install that helps you basically wipe out the C:\Windows directory and then re-install it. The article does not mention the fact that this means there could still be infected files or spyware living elsewhere on your drive that could re-appear after this procedure has been completed. It does state that your registry file is pretty much kept in tact, which is another security problem, that once again the article neglects to mention. But with that said, if you just want to try this as a last ditch effort, try it.

After you have performed this re-install, download and install anti-spyware such as Ad-aware and Search and Destroy as well as Microsoft’s Windows Defender after you patch your system via Windows Update. If any pests still linger, these helpers may get what’s left.

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