Windows 7: dual boot W7/W7 - one on SSD and one on HDD

Okay, so it's time to do it. New box is built and it's go time.



I want a dual boot with Windows 7/Windows 7 with one instance on the SSD and one instance on the HDD. Don't judge me...lol...that is what I want.

Should I perform the 1st installation to the virgin SSD or HDD? Does it really matter?

If I do it to the HDD 1st, will make sure I properly align the SSD installation.

Thoughts?

Hello Spleener We are not judging you otherwise, licenses are yours

Had I been in place of you, I would have done it in this way. First, I attached the SSD only, and removed the HDD (having power supply off from the source). Installed windows on it .

Next, disabling the power again, removed the SSD, attaching the HDD, and installed windows on it.

Now, attach back the SSD. and boot into bios settings. Set the SSD as the first boot device, and HDD as the second, cause the SSD performs well.

Due to not havint the other drive connected during installation, you will not have a dual boot. If you want to choose between your windows installations to boot up, you are to use the boot menu key .... it will list the devices available to boot from; select either the hdd or the ssd.

This one is the superior practice; coz if you have a boot menu, then in future if you want to remove either installation, there is a great possibility that bootability of the other installation will be hampered.

If anything else you want to know, let us know.

Excellent suggestion, however I have always done my additional OS installations from within the 1st one installed....I just kinda like them "knowing" about each other. Probably no advantage but, again, I am quirky like that. I have always used EasyBCD to keep the native win boot menu all tidy. Love teh EasyBCD.

Perhaps I will install to SSD 1st with HDD unplugged. Then attach HDD and install second instance to it from within the running 1st instance on SSD. That way I can make sure the SSD instance is installed optimally.

Sound reasonable?

Thanks again, spleener

Spleener mate, You can do the either way. I suggested you to not put both the MBRs in the same place, coz if the SSD installation's MBR corrupts, you will face a trouble to boot the HDD, too.

As you have to physical disks, and you are installing windows separately in both the drives, it would be a bit better to avoid the aforesaid risk , as I think . Let each physical disk to contain it's installation's own MBR . Using the boot menu key is a better option than having a dual boot, it is proved many a times.

Still, as you have plenty of knowledge and experience, if you think you would be able to manage the aforesaid issues (if actually happen any time) , go for your process, it is also a widely used way.

Best of luck

It is NOT correct to install your second OS from the first one. This will keep Windows 7 from seeing itself as C when booted as it will do when correctly installed from boot.

In addition you want to follow Archie's wise advice to unplug the other HD when installing, then boot your choice of HD's via the BIOS boot order or one-time BIOS Boot Menu key to keep them independent and free to come and go as you please.

Did you come here to ask for advice or give us fables about how you think it works best?

Enlightened I am. I've done just as you said. Many thanks....it made more sense the more I thought about it.

Good work.