Windows 7: Dual boot -- any preference for Vista or W7 first?

I'm planning on installing my Microsoft operating systems fresh on a new hard drive. I want to do a dual boot of Vista and Windows 7. I've read the tutorial that explains how to set this up, with either Vista or Windows 7 installed first. But I'm wondering if it makes any difference as to which is installed first or does it not matter at all (e.g. uses same boot loader)?

Hello Cytherian,

It really doesn't matter since it works equally well either way.

I'd say install whichever one that you might consider uninstalling in the future last. That would make it real easy to delete the OS without having to repair the MBR afterwards.

Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista

7 first then Vista. That way 7 is closer to the outside of the disk where it will be faster.

Thanks, Shawn. So it does kind of matter when it comes around to uninstalling. Funny, you'd think that Microsoft would automatically repair the MBR if it detects that there's going to be a conflict after uninstalling the primary (first) installed OS.

AddRAM, I doubt that there would be a detectable retrieval speed difference on the position of the system files on the disk, unless you were dealing with a really old and slow one. Plus, performance wise there's not a big difference between Vista SP2 and Windows 7.

You're welcome.

Sometimes it does get corrected automatically, but sometimes not. Usually a startup repair will sort it if it doesn't, but I find it best to avoid the whole issue if/when possible.