Backup Your Data

• Whenever you are doing any type of reinstallation or upgrade of any operating system, it is always best to back everything up in case anything goes awry with the installation process. To properly back up your data, you can set up a third party software to backup all of your important data to a secondary hard drive, or you can just do it yourself. Backup all your personal data like "My Documents," "My Pictures," "My Music," and "My Videos." It is also best to make a list of the programs you have installed in your computer prior to the upgrade process. Sometimes a program that you have already installed in your system gets lost in translation to the new operating system you have upgraded to.
  
  

Make Sure You Have Your Product Key

• When you legally purchase a new Windows operating system like Microsoft Windows XP Professional, you will be supplied with a product key that will be used to activate your personal copy of the operating system. Without this key, your operating system will be rendered useless after the thirty-day evaluation period. The product key is located on the XP Professional packaging that the disk came in. When you are prompted to, you need to enter the 25-digit product key into the specified space. Once you do, you no longer have to worry about activating your copy of Windows, but you should always keep a copy of the key in a safe place as you will need it if you ever need to reinstall Windows XP Professional.
  
  

Upgrade Do Not Reinstall

• When you are prompted to choose your installation method for Windows XP Professional, you need to make sure you choose the "Upgrade" option, as it will allow you to keep all your files and programs in your computer and not have to go through the rigorous process of reinstalling every last program that you might have had on your computer prior to the upgrade.