Win 7 installation twice

beauparc · 16 Nov 2010

My current setup has two 1GB drives labelled "C" and "E" and connected to Sata 1 and 2, "C" being the boot drive.

The installation of Win 7 64 is a direct upgrade from Vista 64. I have no trouble with it at all. It is fast and stable.

Just as a matter of interest, is it legal for me to install the same copy of Win 7 as a clean install on "E" and dual boot between them?

I understand that I am not allowed to use the same copy of Windows on two different machines but can I use Win 7 twice on the same computer, albeit on different drives?

Greatly appreciate any help given.

Prof Kerfuffle · 16 Nov 2010

Hi, you can use the install disk but not the same activation key.

YTBOY83 · 16 Nov 2010

I would say it is legal, as long as you have two valid keys. Then again, i might be wrong.

Bare Foot Kid · 16 Nov 2010

If you just want to play around, don't enter an activation key when prompted and you can activate up to 120 days before you have to reinstall; have a look at this tutorial at the link below.

How to Extend the Windows 7 Activation Trial Period Up to 120 Days

gregrocker · 16 Nov 2010

It's a good idea to try the completely clean install next to an Upgrade to compare performance. You might want to keep the clean install and delete the in-place Upgrade. We can help you do this when/if the time comes, by marking it active and running Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to write the System boot files to the clean install. You can then resize into the deleted first partition space using free Partition Wizard bootable CD.

Even easier is to use another HD and unplug the in-placed HD during clean install, then boot one via BIOS boot order and the other using one-time BIOS boot menu key which every computer/mobo has. This keeps the Os's separate to come and go as you please.

mborner · 16 Nov 2010

From a legal standpoint, Microsoft's EULA specifically states that only one copy of Windows may be installed per computer.
Windows 7_Professional_English_7bb89e9f-20ea-4555-892f-394539ec1090.pdf

Bare Foot Kid · 17 Nov 2010

Greg has an excellent idea if you decide to go that way, make a clean install using this tutorial at the link below, move everything you want to the 'new' Windows and get it all set up then use this second tutorial, it lists everything from start to finish to recover the space from the 'old' to the 'new' install.

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Partition : Recover Space Used by an Older OS

gregrocker · 17 Nov 2010

I would not expect to run the test clean install beside your in-place Upgrade for more than the 30 day trial period, which should give you enough time to decide which you want to keep. It is not legal under the EULA to have two installs of the same license even on the same machine.

You could extend the activation period up to 120 days using this method: https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...-120-days.html

If you decide to keep the clean install you can activate it at Computer>Properties after deleting the old install recovering MBR into new one.

Bare Foot Kid · 17 Nov 2010

Have a look at Option One in this tutorial for the preferred method to recreate a new set of boot files to the 'new' Windows 7 if that is the direction you choose to go.

Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

beauparc · 17 Nov 2010

Thank you all for taking the time and trouble to reply.

mborner Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, each time I click on it IE9 dies

This does not surprise me as I have found it to be very flaky - but then, it is a beta. The legal thing is good. "One copy may be installed per computer". The way I read this is that I will be installing the same copy - twice. Therefore I will have one copy on my computer with two installations. Since they are on seperate disks and obviously only one running at a time, how will MS know?

Anyway......

BFK and gregrocker Your suggestions sound good. A clean install, not activated for a while, then becoming the main OS with the upgrade removed. My only slight reservation is that, as I said in my opening post, my current system is perfect. I am being driven by a sense of curiosity only. And you know what curiosity killed....

Actually, I've just thought of another option. I still have the manufacturers disk which came bundled with the machine when I bought it about 18 months ago. Vista 64bit. Now before you all throw up your hands in horror at the thought of me installing it, consider this........I upgraded from it to Win 7 because Vista was also faultless, no crashing, no troubles at all.

Once again I thank you all for your interest. I am greatly obliged.:)