Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

How to Setup a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP​


   Information
This will show you how to install Windows 7 and XP to dual boot with when you already have either Windows 7 or XP installed first.
   Note
With a dual boot installaton, you will have two operating systems (OS) installed. When you start the computer, you will have the choice to choose which OS you would like to start up to. This method is the easiest way of doing a dual boot with these two operating systems.
   Tip
When dual booting with another OS (ex: Vista or XP), you may not always have that OS partition show up in Computer with a driver letter in Windows 7. If this happens, then you will just need to add a drive letter to the OS (ex: Vista or XP) partition in Windows 7 Disk Management for it to show up in Computer with a driver letter.
   Warning
To stop XP from deleting your Windows 7 System Restore Points everytime XP is started, then see System Restore Points - Stop XP Dual Boot Delete to hide Windows 7 from XP.

Windows 7 Minimum Hardware Requirements


NOTE: For more information on this, see: Windows 7 system requirements
  • 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor
  • 1 GB RAM for 32-bit Windows 7 OR 2 GB RAM for 64-bit Windows 7
  • 16 GB available disk space 32-bit Windows 7 OR 20 GB for 64-bit Windows 7
  • Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB memory (in order to enable Aero theme)
  • DVD-R/W Drive
  • Internet or phone access to activate Windows 7.
Windows XP Minimum Hardware Requirements

NOTE: For more information on this, see: System requirements for Windows XP operating systems
  • PC with 300 megahertz (MHz) or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233-MHz minimum required;* Intel Pentium/Celeron family, AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended
  • 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features)
  • 1.5 gigabyte (GB) of available hard disk space.*
  • Super VGA (800 × 600) or higher resolution video adapter and monitor
  • CD-ROM or DVD drive
  • Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
EXAMPLE: Windows Boot Manager
NOTE: This is the boot screen where you select what operating system that you would like to start. By default, you have 30 seconds to choose another operating system before the default operating system will start automatically.
Example.jpg



OPTION ONE

When XP is Installed First


NOTE: If you have a RAID setup, you will need to have the Windows 7 RAID drivers on a USB flash drive available to select and load while installing Windows 7.
1. Do step 2 or 3 below for where you wanted to install Windows 7 at.

2. To Create a New Partition from the XP Hard Disk Drive
A) With your Windows 7 installation disc boot into the Command Prompt from the System Recovery Options screen.
NOTE: Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is selected first in the boot order in the BIOS.

B) In the command prompt, select and shrink the XP volume by how many MB (1024 MB = 1 GB) you want to have for this Windows 7 partition. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You would do steps 2 to 9 in METHOD TWO at that link. Windows 7 will need a minimum of 16 GB (16384 MB).
XP-W7_1.jpg
C) Click on the X at the top right corner to close the command prompt. (See screenshot above)

D) Click on the X at the top right corner to close System Recovery Options. (See screenshot below)
XP-W7_2.jpg
E) Go to step 4.
3. To Use a Separate Hard Disk Drive than the XP Drive
A) Boot from your Windows 7 installation disc.
NOTE: Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is selected first in the boot order in the BIOS.
4. Click on the Install now button. (See screenshot below)
XP-W7_3.jpg
5. When you get to this point, select the partition (step 2) or hard drive to install Windows 7 on. (See screenshot below)
XP-W7_4.jpg
6. Finish installing Windows 7.
NOTE: You would start at step 9 in that link to finish installing Windows 7.

7. When finished, restart the computer to have the option to boot from XP (Earlier Verision of Windows) or Windows 7. (See screenshot below)

   Note
If you are only booting into Windows 7 and do not have XP listed in the Windows Boot Manager, then you can install only EasyBCD (step 8 Option Two below) to add XP (or Windows 7) while started in Windows 7 the same way to the boot list.

Example.jpg



OPTION TWO

When Windows 7 is Installed First





   Warning

1. To Create a New Partition from the Windows 7 Hard Disk Drive
NOTE: If you want to install XP on a separate internal hard drive instead, then skip this step and go to step 2.
A) In Windows 7, select and shrink the Windows 7 volume in Disk Management by how many MB (1024 MB = 1 GB) you want to have for this XP partition. (See screenshots below)
NOTE: You would do all of Method One at that link.
W7-XP-1.jpg

W7-XP-2.jpg

W7-XP-3.jpg
2. Insert your XP installation disc, then restart the computer and press any key to boot from it when prompted. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is selected first in the boot order in the BIOS.
Step1.jpg
3. From XP Setup, Press Enter. (See screenshot below)



   Warning

W7-XP-4.jpg
4. Press F8. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: On some multimedia keyboards, you may need to press the F-Lock or Function key before pressing F8.
W7-XP-5.jpg
5. Select the partition (step 1) or hard drive that you want to install XP on using the arrow keys and press Enter.
W7-XP-6.jpg
6. Finish installing XP.



   Tip
If you get Error loading Operating System after XP restarts:
  • Using your Windows 7 installation disc, boot to the command prompt at startup.
  • Type in these comands below, and press enter after each one.
    • bootrec /FixMbr
    • bootrec /FixBoot
    • bootrec /RebuildBcd
  • Exit the command prompt and restart the computer.
  • At this point, Windows 7 should boot up the same way before trying to install XP.
  • Continue to step 8 below and run EasyBCD from Windows 7 instead.

7. In XP, download and install .Net Framework 2.0 (32-bit) version or .Net Framework 2.0 (64-bit) version first, and EasyBCD (free version) for your 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x86) XP.
NOTE: In XP, Net Framework is required to be installed to run EasyBCD. After you click on Register (at bottom of link) for the free EasyBCD, registration is not required to download it.

8. Run EasyBCD (free version).
NOTE: This is required to repair the Windows 7 boot file and add XP to the Windows Boot Manager list.

9. On the left side of EasyBCD, click on the Add New Entry button. (See screenshot below)
A) In the top section under Operating Systems, click on the Windows tab. (See screenshot below)
B) To the right of Type, select Windows NT/2k/XP/2k3 from the drop down menu. (See screenshot below)
:warn:WARNING: Be sure to leave the Automatically detect correct drive box checked.

C) To the right of Name, you can leave the default Microsoft Windows XP as the name to be displayed in the Windows Boot Manager, or you can type whatever name you would like to have instead. (See screenshot below)
D) Click on the Add Entry button. (See screenshot below)
W7-XP-7.jpg
10. On the left side of EasyBCD, click on the BCD Deployment button, select (dot) the Install the Windows Vista/7 bootloader to the MBR option, and click on the Write MBR button. (See screenshot below)
W7-XP-9.jpg
11. Close EasyBCD.

12. Restart the computer to have the option to boot from Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 7. (See screenshot below)
Example2.jpg
   Tip
If Windows 7 will not start up when selected, then use your Windows 7 installation DVD to do a Startup Repair.

That's it,
Shawn






Related Tutorials

 
Last edited:
Click to expand...
I have installed XP and 7 ultimate 64bit both on the same drive without problem.
Install XP FIRST formatting the drive to whatever size you want to use. ie 500gb drive make it 250 gb to install XP To.
Install XP get it up and running , updated and all you want to put on it, defrag it and check it is OK.
Then install W7 in the unformatted part by by formatting and making the unused space a primary partition. then install Easy BcD and that should allow access to XP and it should work without any problem.
Do the registry edit in XP to hide the W7 system from XP so that you don't keep losing the W7 system restore.
Files from 7 you can place into XP directly but files in W7 you can't see from XP.
I started with a clean drive that had been written to with 1's and 0's and so was totally clean.
If you are installing to separate drives you can install each OS to its own drive and use the machines bios to choose which to boot into. best to install XP to one drive then remove the drive then put in the other drive and install W7, OR you can install Easy BCD.
You will still need to do the registry trick to stop XP seeing W7 as it will still delete W7 system restore files.
Why you have so many partitions beats me and without further details I can't be more specific.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
ASUS N56VM
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
intel i7 3610QM
Memory
8GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 630 M 2GB
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Laptop Display
Screen Resolution
1920 x1080 Native Resolution
Hard Drives
Seagate ST500LM012 HN-M500MBB 500GB
Keyboard
English UK
Mouse
Microsoft Trackball Explorer, Synaptics Touchpad
Internet Speed
17 Meg Broadfband
Browser
Chrome
Since I had established the Win 7 installation several years ago I was hoping to save it but came to your conclusion, there was no good way to install Win XP after Win 7 was installed. Win XP ended up as a drive letter other than C: and with all the programs that do not let you choose the install drive this was not an option. Have Win XP and Win 7 installed now, both startup as C: and I will just have to repopulate the Win 7 programs. Luckily I have all my data on a separate drive which is still good. Thanks for your reply.
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell
OS
Windows 7 64-bit
RRR If your Dell ran XP what`s the problem.

How it should be done..

Delete the entire drive to unallocated space, then use the XP installer to create 2 Primary partitions, then install XP 1st and 7 second.

You will then end up with a dual boot screen.

The best way to do it is to install each OS on separate drives, while one drive is unplugged, when you`re done your `st install, disconnect the other drive, do your other install. Then hook up both drives, and set one OS as your default, then use the Boot Menu to boot into the other system when you want to.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Skylake Special #666
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64
CPU
Intel Core i7 6700K
Motherboard
Asus Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1
Memory
GSkill TridentZ RGB 16GB 3600 16-16-16-36
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 980 Ti SC x2
Sound Card
Realtek High Definition
Monitor(s) Displays
AOC G2460PG
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080 144Hz
Hard Drives
Samsung 860 Pro 256GB, Seagate Barracuda 4TB x2
PSU
EVGA 1000 P2, EVGA White Custom Braided Cables
Case
Corsair Vengeance C70 Gunmetal Black
Cooling
Corsair H100i v2, Corsair ML120 x2, Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut
Keyboard
Logitech G910 Orion Spectrum
Mouse
Logitech G700s
Internet Speed
Verizon Fios Quantum Gateway 75/75
Antivirus
Windows Defender, Malwarebytes Free 3.8.3
Browser
Chrome
Other Info
Corsair SP120 x4, LG Blu-ray Drive, Durabrand HT-395 100 Watt Dolby Digital Amp, Corsair H2100 Wireless 7.1 Headset
As mentioned, since I had been running the Win 7 installation for about 2 years I was hoping to preserve it but, as you say, you have to install XP first then 7. Thanks,
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell
OS
Windows 7 64-bit
Glad you got it sorted, nothing more annoying when things don't go according to plan.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
ASUS N56VM
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
intel i7 3610QM
Memory
8GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 630 M 2GB
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Laptop Display
Screen Resolution
1920 x1080 Native Resolution
Hard Drives
Seagate ST500LM012 HN-M500MBB 500GB
Keyboard
English UK
Mouse
Microsoft Trackball Explorer, Synaptics Touchpad
Internet Speed
17 Meg Broadfband
Browser
Chrome
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