Can 2 separate OS on 2 separate drives share 1 Desktop folder?

Okay, so here's my setup:
I have 2 separate Windows installs on 2 separate disks. I don't use dual-boot from 1 drive, I just switch the boot drive in the BIOS menu. It's setup like this:

Disk 1
Partition 1) Windows 7 Ultimate
Partition 2) Desktop + Data Folders for 7

Disk 2
Partition 1) Windows 8.1 Pro
Partition 2) Desktop + Data Folders for 8.1

What I want to do is keep the separate installs but install a 3rd Disk and place the Desktop + Data folders for both drives on Disk 3.

Is this possible to do? I always keep my Data separate from my OS partitions to keep System Image sizes down and use a Separate piece of software for backing up my Data drives. It would be easier if I could share these Data drives between both OS. I usually keep my desktops & folders in sync anyway.

Anyone else tried this setup and encountered any issues with Security settings, etc?

Never tried. If it were to succeed, It would be like merging two desktop folders into one pooled resource. That does not appeal to me.
However I came up with several points that you may wish to consider:
1) You would start seeing Account Unknown (SID) entries appear in the ACL.
2) Problems with Desktop shortcuts pointing to executables not registered with Operating System.
3) Icon cache would possibly become inconsistent. The location of the icon cache is different between windows 7 and 8.1.

Thanks Iko. The only issue I hadn't really considered was issue 3.

Issue 1 I'm okay with and expected that to be the case. So long as it doesn't interfere with the security of the other account.

Issue 2 wouldn't be an issue as I don't keep program icons on the desktop. Only files and shortcuts to folders on the same drive as the desktop, so that's no problem.

Hadn't considered icon cache issue though. Might have to look into that a little more.

Another thing is I want to keep Shadow Copies (previous versions) on for Windows 7 Desktop + Data and wondered if these will get screwed up somehow when I boot into 8.1?

Brds7t7 said:

Issue 1 I'm okay with and expected that to be the case. So long as it doesn't interfere with the security of the other account.

Might even get a duplicate user folder - I've seen that before, thinking about it. You suddenly get the one folder with the correct permissions and icon, and a second folder with the standard manilla icon and standard permissions.

Would need to know more about how Windows automates folder creation. Does the OS just do mkdir, or does it do sophisticated object ownership checks before executing a mkdir command.

lehnerus2000 said:

The only "issue" I noticed was XP liked to create "Thumbs.db" files in folders.

That's a blast from the past! I haven't used XP in years mate. I don't even have it in a VM now. Last XP VM I deleted in 2015.

I flogged my XP and Vista retail versions a couple of years ago.

lehnerus2000 said:

Unlike W10, I can connect XP to the Internet without having to worry about it downloading GBs of garbage code and then self-destructing.

The longest I ever had a Windows 10 VM for was about 3 weeks. Haven't even tried the last main update to it, as it just doesn't appeal to me. Too much bloat for me and it was trying too much. It was like the kid at school trying too hard to be liked by everyone - it just became annoying. As soon as they started bundling candy crush in with it, that was enough for me!

Even all the multiple retail licences I own for 7 & 8.1 never got upgraded. I'd rather keep them and use them for VMs than upgraded them to a free 10 licence.

Yes I know some people will think I'm daft because "it's free, right?". But, I don't care. MS can keep Windows 10!

I enjoyed using XP for years, but most of the software I use I can run in 7 or 8.1 now, so decided to get rid of them. I hadn't really used Vista for years, even though I never really had an issue with it. It always worked well for me. Too many retail boxes cluttering up the place, so decided it was time to have a clear out.