Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) is an important update for Windows Vista. Windows Vista SP1 contains many reliability and usability updates for Windows Vista.
After you install Windows Vista SP1, you may notice that a hardware device or an installed program works differently. Therefore, you may want to uninstall Windows Vista SP1 as a troubleshooting step.
This article describes the methods that we recommend to uninstall Windows Vista SP1.
After you perform the steps in this article, we recommend that you visit the following Microsoft Web site to install the latest security updates:
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To uninstall Windows Vista SP1, use one of the following methods.
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Method 1: Use the Programs and Features item in Control Panel
To uninstall Windows Vista SP1 by using the Programs and Features item in Control Panel, follow these steps:
| 1. | Click Start , type Appwiz.cpl in the Start Search box, and then click Appwiz.cpl in the Programs list.
 If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue. |
| 2. | Click View installed updates. |
| 3. | Click Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB936330), and then click Uninstall. |
| 4. | Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to complete the uninstall process. |
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Method 2: Use System Restore
You can use offline System Restore or System Restore to remove Windows Vista SP1.
Note As a best practice, use offline System Restore when you want to use System Restore to uninstall Windows Vista SP1.
Note The System Restore process does not delete any personal files or personal data.
Offline System Restore
To use offline System Restore to remove Windows Vista SP1, follow these steps.
Note
To use offline System Restore, you must have a Windows Vista DVD. Additionally, your computer must be configured to start from the DVD drive. In some cases, you may have to modify the BIOS settings on the computer to configure the computer to start from the DVD drive. For more information about how to configure the computer to start from the DVD drive, see the manufacturer documentation or contact the computer manufacturer.
| 1. | Insert the Windows Vista DVD, and then restart the computer. |
| 2. | When you receive the following message, press any key: Press any key to boot from CD or DVD. |
| 3. | Set the following preferences, and then click Next: | • | Language to install | | • | Time and currency format | | • | Keyboard or input method |
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| 4. | Click Repair your computer, select the operating system that you want to repair if it is necessary, and then click Next. |
| 5. | Click System Restore, and then click Next. |
| 6. | Click to choose the Restore Point that matches the installation date for Service Pack 1. The Restore Point will be labeled either Install: Windows Update or Install: Windows Vista Service Pack 1. |
| 7. | Confirm the disks that you want to restore, and then click Next. |
| 8. | Click Finish, and then click Yes when you are prompted. |
| 9. | When the System Restore process is complete, click Restart to restart the computer. |
| 10. | After the computer restarts, click Close to confirm that the System Restore process has finished successfully. |
System Restore in Windows Vista
To use System Restore in Windows Vista to remove Windows Vista SP1, follow these steps.
Important Before you use System Restore, make sure that you have restarted the computer at least one time since you have installed Windows Vista SP1. By restarting the computer, you allow for any remaining servicing processes to finish.
| 1. | Click Start, type rstrui in the Start Search box, and then click rstrui in the Programs list.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue. |
| 2. | In the Restore System Files and Settings window, click Next. |
| 3. | In the Choose a Restore Point window, click to choose the Restore Point that matches the installation date for Service Pack 1, and then click Next.
Note The Restore Point will be labeled either Install: Windows Update or Install: Windows Vista Service Pack 1. |
| 4. | Verify the restore point that you want to use, and then click Finish. |
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