Can I upgrade my Windows 95, 98 or 98SE Operating System to Microsoft Windows XP?

Can I upgrade my Windows 95, 98 or 98SE Operating System to Microsoft Windows XP?


Important - read first
Microsoft Windows XP minimum requirements
Factors to consider prior to making an upgrade decision
Additional information

Important - read first

The following guidelines are provided to customers that are considering upgrading an existing HP Pavilion or Compaq Presario Desktop or Notebook PC to Windows XP. The purpose of this document is to help minimize frustration and surprises if the decision is made to upgrade to Windows XP. Anyone considering this upgrade should do so carefully. Although many HP and Compaq PCs may meet the minimum requirements recommended by Microsoft for upgrade to Windows XP, upgrading is not recommended for all PCs, especially where the base platform has not been tested and qualified by HP or Compaq for use with Windows XP.
Microsoft Windows XP minimum requirements

PC with 300 megahertz (MHz) or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233-MHz minimum required; Intel Pentium / Celeron (TM) family, AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended

128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features)
1.5 gigabyte (GB) of available hard disk space
Super VGA (800 × 600) or higher resolution video adapter and monitor
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Keyboard and Microsoft mouse or compatible pointing device
Factors to consider prior to making an upgrade decision

HP is unable to guarantee how Windows XP will function on a PC not originally designed and/or tested for this new operating system. HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario PCs that shipped with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows 98SE pre-installed, were not tested with Windows XP.
HP could not recommend upgrading where it could not guarantee a high level of compatibility for all basic hardware and software components of the PCs. PC device drivers (including graphics, BIOS, chipset, etc) for some PC components may simply not be available (now or in the future) as some parts manufacturers are no longer in business or have made business decisions to not provide updates for Windows XP.

The addition (by the PC owner) of a wide variety of third-party software and peripherals to the system may complicate a Windows XP upgrade.
Software pre-installed on the PC at purchase may require upgrades to the new XP-compatible version, if available, and at an additional cost. Contact the software company directly.
HP and Compaq's warranty and support cover only the original pre-installed operating system and software. Technical support for the retail version of Windows XP is provided by Microsoft.
Additional information

The following links will provide additional resource information on Windows XP:
Access Microsoft's Web site on upgrading to Windows XP (in English).
Go to Microsoft's Windows XP Upgrade Advisor Web site (in English).