Dual Boot on W7 64bit & 32bit

Im sure this question has been asked before but i couldn't the thread.

Basically i would like to know how to have a dual boot on my PC, where when i start up my PC it automatically starts up the 64bit version of W7 but if i choose i can easily change to the 32bit without a hassle.

2nd Question, if i make a dual boot PC i would have to split my HDD im guessing. If i would split up my HDD and save something while using the 32bit version how would i get the saved file over to the 64bit version? Do i have to use a USB or can i drag it into the 64bit part of the HDD?

Thanks in advance.

Hi, TheSwiift.

Yes, you can create a system with both 32-bit Windows 7 and a 64-bit version! You'll need to burn an ISO file of the 32-bit version and install it onto your system to be able to access it, however. I can give you instructions on how to do this if you'd like.

To answer your second question, when you create the 32-bit operating system, you'll have to partition your hard drive. This means, you'll be virtually splitting your hard drive into parts: one for the 32-bit OS and one for the 64-bit OS. And yes, you can easily access files from one operating system through the other.

Thanks,
Harvey Meale

Harvey Meale said:

Hi, TheSwiift.

Yes, you can create a system with both 32-bit Windows 7 and a 64-bit version! You'll need to burn an ISO file of the 32-bit version and install it onto your system to be able to access it, however. I can give you instructions on how to do this if you'd like.

Thanks,
Harvey Meale

That would be awesome if you could explain how this is done :) I have both the legitimate 64bit and 32bit W7 CD's. So do i just put in the 32bit CD since i am running 64bit at the moment. Then just install or what?

Thanks in advance.

Have look at those two tutorial:

Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista
Dual Boot - Change OS Name in Windows Boot Manager

TheSwiift said:

Harvey Meale said:

Hi, TheSwiift.

Yes, you can create a system with both 32-bit Windows 7 and a 64-bit version! You'll need to burn an ISO file of the 32-bit version and install it onto your system to be able to access it, however. I can give you instructions on how to do this if you'd like.

Thanks,
Harvey Meale

That would be awesome if you could explain how this is done :) I have both the legitimate 64bit and 32bit W7 CD's. So do i just put in the 32bit CD since i am running 64bit at the moment. Then just install or what?

Thanks in advance.

You may have both disks, but do you have 2 licenses? You will need a license for each install.

I have a question, i just split my 1TB HD into 850GB (Win7 64bit) and into a free 150GB (going to be Win7 32bit) but it automatically made the new partition, in this case the 32bit the main partition, how can i change it so the 64bit will be the main partition?

Thanks in advance.

dnorris said:

TheSwiift said:

Harvey Meale said:

Hi, TheSwiift.

Yes, you can create a system with both 32-bit Windows 7 and a 64-bit version! You'll need to burn an ISO file of the 32-bit version and install it onto your system to be able to access it, however. I can give you instructions on how to do this if you'd like.

Thanks,
Harvey Meale

That would be awesome if you could explain how this is done :) I have both the legitimate 64bit and 32bit W7 CD's. So do i just put in the 32bit CD since i am running 64bit at the moment. Then just install or what?

Thanks in advance.

You may have both disks, but do you have 2 licenses? You will need a license for each install.

At this time i only have one key and it has already been used, i am going to install 32bit and have it ask for the code later, will be getting a code in the near future.

Use free Partition Wizard Bootable CD to Resize, Create, Format partitions. .

Suggest you make your OS partitions Primary NTFS about 100gb each on a 1tb HD.

Make the rest a third data partition Primary NTFS for your User folders, backup image and file storage.

Here is how to link your User folders on the data partition to either OS: User Folders - Change Default Location

When you get your partitioning setup, post back a screenshot or camera snap of the Partition Wizard drive map so we can look it over for you.