Windows normally provides compatibility one-way only, that is, you can install a newer version over an older one, and settings are maintained, but not the other way.

It is always a good idea to make a backup of important data, and especially if you aren't sure of the result.

I don't think you have to format the partition - check whether the filesystem currently installed is supported by Windows 2000.

If you have enough space on your hard disk, keep the current Windows folder (you might rename it), and install in another folder. That way it is easy to recover some documents you may have overlooked. For instance, data which a user places on the desktop will be somewhere under the Windows folder. A similar situation occurs with e-mail files; by default, they are stored in some deeply hidden place in the Windows folder.

>Hi everyone.
>
>I wish to install Win2000 Pro over my WinXp Pro but i don't want to lose any of my data, if i carry on with this is there any chance that files could corrupt by overwriting??.
>
>A friend told me that in order to do a good installation i must delete Program Files, Documents and Settings and Windows directory first and then run the installation, is it safe this way??.
>
>I don't want to format, i made backups of my files, please tell me a good and harmless way to install Win2000 Pro over WinXP.
>
>Thanks in advance guys.
>
>Jim.