Windows 7: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

Thanks Shawn, the only issue is that for some reason that I don't know my PC is unable to boot from the 2nd hard drive (the BIOS settings do not have the 2nd drive as a boot option, only the main drive), so I will be forced to install both OS in the main drive.

Hi

Thanks for the tutorial, I am about to install Windows XP Pro on my machine currently running Windows 7 64bit Home premium.

my question is I only expect to use XP for my Film and photo scanner, what size of partition would the OS need? I can calculate how much extra space I will need for my scans and photos.



thanks in advance

SDM197.

I have 12.9GB in use with basic programming installed.

SP3, AV etc. My ASUS drivers and utilities which is less than 300MB.

There is no photo software, pictures, videos or games installed yet.

So if you allow for 13GB for your basics you should be good.
Did a snapshot for you also.
Mike

Hello SDM, and welcome to Seven Forums.

In addition, here is a link below for XP requirements. XP needs at minimum 1.5 GB, but I would give it at least 10% more than your total space needed to give XP some working room.

System requirements for Windows XP operating systems

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Hi,

Thank you both for your replies,

SDM197.

You're most welcome SDM. I'm glad that we could help.

Hello!

This is by far the best dual boot tutorial I've found.

I've some questions:

1.- Which one is recommended or less-troubled to be installed first? (I'm starting from scratch a dual boot project)

2.- I'm installing this on my 80 GB HD and this will be only for OS and Program Files, how do you recommend to partition it? (talking in % or GB's)

3.- If I point both OS's to the 250 GB HD, can they share "My Documents" folder? Or is recommended to partition this one too and point each OS to different partition?

4.- Can I add Ubuntu later?

Thanks in advance

Hello M0y, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Answers inline.

Using Option One with XP installed first is the easiest way.

It depends on how much you plan on installing along with each OS on the two separate partitions, but I say about 20-30 GB for XP and the rest for Windows 7.

No. You do not want to have two separate OS's sharing a folder like that. It will cause to many problems trying to do so. It would be best to have each OS use their own separate folder instead.

Yes, you can do a triple boot with Ubuntu later if you like. I do not know the details of doing so since I have never used Ubuntu though.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

thanks for answering so soon Brink, tomorrow I'll start and give feedback about it.

You're most welcome M0y.