Obtaining Windows XP Setup Boot Disks
The information in this article applies to:
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
 
This article was previously published under Q310994  
SUMMARY
Windows XP Setup boot disks are available only by download from Microsoft. The Setup boot disks are available so that you can run Setup on computers that do not support a bootable CD-ROM.  
 
If your computer does support booting from a CD-ROM, or if network-based installation is available, Microsoft recommends that you use those installations methods instead.
 
Future products will no longer support installation via the setup boot disks. Installation of future Microsoft Operating Systems will require the ability to boot from the CD or PXE boot from Network. Setup boot disks that are provided for Windows XP are provided and supported on an as is basis.  
MORE INFORMATION
There are six Windows XP Setup boot floppy disks. These disks contain the files and drivers that are required to access the CD-ROM drive and begin the Setup process.  
Creating the Setup Disks
When you download the Setup disks, the download contains only one large program file. When you run the downloaded file, it extracts the files. You receive the following prompt:  
This program creates the Setup boot disks for Microsoft Windows XP. To create these disks, you need to provide 6 blank, formatted, high-density disks.
 
Please specify the floppy drive to copy the images to:  
 
Type the drive letter for the floppy disk drive (this is typically drive A). After you type the floppy disk drive letter, you see the following prompt:  
Insert one of these disks into drive drive letter:. This disk will become the Windows XP Setup Boot Disk.
 
Press any key when you are ready.  
 
When you press a key, the downloaded file starts extracting and copying the files. Continue inserting the blank disks as you are prompted to do so until all six disks are created. If the process is interrupted you must run the downloaded program file again to create all six disks.  
 
Make sure to label each disk appropriately with the number that is specified by the program. You will have to use the disks in the correct order during the Setup process.  
Using the Setup Disks
After you create all six disks, insert the first disk in the floppy disk drive, and then restart the computer. Note that the computer must be configured to boot from the floppy disk drive. In some cases, you may need to modify your computer's BIOS settings to do this.  
 
The Setup process starts. Insert the other floppy disks as you are prompted to do so. Note that you will need to use the Windows XP CD-ROM to finish Setup.  
Downloading the Setup Disk Program File
Windows XP Original Release
The following Setup boot disk versions are available:  
English Windows XP Home Edition
 
English Windows XP Professional
 
German Windows XP Home Edition
 
German Windows XP Professional
 
Italian Windows XP Home Edition
 
Italian Windows XP Professional
 
Japanese Windows XP Home Edition
 
Japanese Windows XP Professional
 
Korean Windows XP Home Edition
 
Korean Windows XP Professional
 
Traditional Chinese Windows XP Home Edition
 
Traditional Chinese Windows XP Professional  
 
Simplified Chinese Windows XP Home Edition
 
Simplified Chinese Windows XP Professional
 
Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Note that Windows XP CD-ROMs that include SP1 have the text "Includes Service Pack 1" on the CD-ROM.  
English Windows XP SP1 Home Edition
 
English Windows XP SP1 Professional