Windows 7: Can a dual boot be created for 2 installs of Win7??? Experts only...

I have a client that wants to setup an office laptop that will also be used in the field. Due to confidentiality reasons I cannot get into specifics, but when in the office the machine needs a specific network setup (Machine name/workgroup/etc) and specific software installed... when functioning in the field this laptop needs an entirely different setup for the network and different software installed.

Is there anyway I can dual boot between 2 unique seperate installs and setups of Windows 7? I have never tried this... what do you all think?

I know I could do this with XP and 7... but we just started phasing out all XP machines.

Your thoughts and suggestions will be appreciated!

You can easy install a second windows 7 on a free partition. The dual boot will be created automatically during install. Later rename boot menu entries say "office" and "field".

You can later even hide one of the boot entries (the confidential) and create a keyboard shortcut for loading the "hidden" office installation so even if computer gets in foreign hands it would be hard to get into the confidential installation.

See this - Custom Bootstrap Actions - create shortcut to loaders.

Are you the developer of this? I saw your name in the URL...

I am.

Thanks for the sw tip... I will dl and run on a test system.

Anyone else have experience with this?

Not with the shortcut/hidden aspects but multiple boots of Windows 7 is quite possible

this is one of my systems from early 2009 in deep beta mode

Thanks Barman!

Thinking outload... chime in anytime... This will be a new Dell lappy... I can use the Dell install disk for both installs cant I? I really dont want to purchase a 2nd copy of Windows 7 just for this purpose.

Same as here: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista

Thanks Gregrocker!

I just wasnt sure if I would have any unique situations dual booting Windows 7 with Windows 7.... and since the users arent the smartest in the world a vm is OUT!

Under the EULA it requires a second license, even though on the same hardware activation might think both installs are the same one.