32-bit and 64-bit on different drives, without dual boot?

jimhoyle · 28 Aug 2010

Here's my situation: I use 32-bit Windows 7, however, once per month I need to use 64-bit Windows 7. So I would like to install 64-bit Win7 to another drive. However, I don't want to see the dual boot menu on every restart. I only want to temporarily switch to 64-bit by pressing F8 (or whatever) to change booting device at bootup.

What's the proper way to do this?

Many years ago I used to have a situation where I had WinXP on one drive and WinXP on other drive. I could switch my C:\ (with WinXP) at bootup. It worked, except there was a problem: In some situations C:\Windows and D:\Windows or Programs Files were getting mixed up, automatically Start Menu pointed suddenly to D:\Program Files\something without asking me. I had used a clone software to clone the drive so that might be the reason why they mixed up together. Eventually removing the other drive might've crippled the system even my intention was to have two separate operating systems, just in one computer.

Basically I would like to have two C: drives with Win7-32bit and Win7-64bit. So in case one drive breaks, I'll have a very quick backup system ready.

Is it a stupid idea to disconnect the current C: drive and then install the new Windows to C: and then put the first drive in as well? Then I wouldn't have the dual boot menu, which might be what I want.

Is it possible to hide the dual boot menu, have it load 32-bit as default but still have a possibility to bring up the dual boot menu by pressing some key at bootup? In that case, is it possible to remove either drive and still boot up without problems?

Lemur · 28 Aug 2010

You could control your bootup drive from the bios. Guess it's not a big deal if you do it once a month.

Bare Foot Kid · 28 Aug 2010

Hello jimhoyle.

Just be sure to disconnect all Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) except the one you want to install to then after the install connect the other(s) HDDs and then you will be able to choose which to boot using the BIOS.

Petey7 · 28 Aug 2010

I'm not sure if it will actually work as intended, so you may have to play with it a bit.

From within Windows, go to start menu, right-click Computer, and click properties. Click Advanced system settings, then click Settings, under Startup and Recovery. Set 32-bit Windows 7 as the default OS, then set the time to display a list of operating system to 0 seconds. The menu might flash up for a second, but it will continue to the main Windows 7 install.

If it won't let you boot into the second install when choosing to boot from the second hard drive, you could set the time to wait to 1 or 2 seconds. Then it won't sit for a long time, plus it will give you time to tap the arrow keys to keep it from going straight into the main OS.

gregrocker · 28 Aug 2010

If you unplug the other OS HD when you install the new Win7, it won't configure a Windows-managed Dual Boot and you can boot via the BIOS which is a cleaner method which allows the HD's to come and go as you please. A windows-managed Dual Boot interlocks the HD's.

After plugging back in the first Win7 HD once you install the second one, set preferred HD to boot first in BIOS setup, then to boot the other use the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key given on first boot screen. Every computer has one: Sony Vaio Upgrading kit to Windows 7

jimhoyle · 29 Aug 2010

Ok, thanks all! About the drive letter: So I install the Windows while only one drive is in (and also the other one). Then I re-connect all my drives. Then I switch from BIOS boot which of the Windows drives is C:. What happens to the other "C:", will it automatically change to first available letter without problems, and switching back and forth will be free of problems?

Bare Foot Kid · 29 Aug 2010

Hello again Jim.

Using this method you will actually be using the PC BIOS to select which OS/HDD to boot when the PC is started-up; after the install(s) and all the HDDs are reconnected you will boot to the PC BIOS to select which HDD will be the first boot device; each OS will be C: independent of the other.

Have alook at this tutorial at the link below.

How To Change the Drive Boot Priority in BIOS

Ivan the SoSo · 29 Aug 2010

buy a power splitter and wire a on/off/on switch to the yellow wires.... I did that to dual boot between xp64 and windows seven

jimhoyle · 29 Aug 2010

I installed the second Win7 and everything works great so far! I only had to change drive letters once (per Windows) and remove the drive letter from the new Windows system partition (the small compulsory system partition). If I don't write here any more it means everything worked perfectly. BIOS boot selector is fine.

whs · 29 Aug 2010

Since you need the 64 bit so infrequently, why don't you install it in a virtual partition (e.g. virtual box). Then you can switch back and forth with one click.