Renaming "Earlier version of windows" in dual boot

[fusion1]

How do you rename "Earlier version of Windows" in Boot.ini in Windows 7 with a dual boot setup? In msconfig>boot it only shows Windows 7 even though I have Win XP Pro on the C;partition. I just want to rename "Earlier Version of Windows" to Windows XP Pro.

 

[Airbot]

Use Easy BCD.

 

[fusion1]

Is there a way to do just a simple rename within Windows? I'd rather not have to install an extra program I will never use other than to rename an entry in the boot manager.

 

[Airbot]

It's a small program, you could just uninstall after you were done. But here you go..

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2676-bcdedit-how-use.html?ltr=B

 

[LarryLaser]

Is there a way to do just a simple rename within Windows? I'd rather not have to install an extra program I will never use other than to rename an entry in the boot manager.

Yes Fusion
There Is'

Go to "Start" menu and click in the search box (at the bottom of the list) and type "cmd", it will show up on the top of the menu, right click it and "Run As administrator", then the command box opens just type "bcdedit" (no quotes " ).
This will show you the existing settings.
First, I would suggest you save a copy (in case you goof).

Type "bcdedit /export C:\SAVEDBCD", this will save you the initial copy on the C: drive at the root.

Now I am going to give you a copy of the changes I make.

bcdedit /set {ntldr} description "LastXP & WinXP x64"

bcdedit /set {bootmgr} timeout "10"

bcdedit /set {bootmgr} displayorder {ntldr} {current}

bcdedit /set {bootmgr} default {ntldr}

bcdedit /set {current} description "Win 7 x64"

A couple of Quick answers.
{ntldr} is your "Earlier version of windows"
{ntldr} description "LastXP & WinXP x64" is the name, "LastXP & WinXP x64" is the names of My Earlier version of windows ( 2 of them), also, the quotes are only used in the naming settings, including the timeout settings.
{bootmgr} is the BOOT.ini replacement from Vista on up, (Win 7 & Server2008)
timeout "10", is the time delay you get to select other than the main Highlited.
{current} description "Win 7 x64", is the Win 7 version (or Vista or Server 2008, if you are using them during changes).

you can copy these to a Notepad page and save it as your "bcdedit mod.txt", then you can make the name changes you like("LastXP & WinXP x64" to "My Old XP"). Note* dont forget to use the " " quotes only in the naming.

For more info you can go here and read a lot more.

Question?? Do you know how to use the "copy & paste" in the command window??
Answer. "copy" the line you want from your notepad and then "Right click" on the title bar of your "Command Window", move down the menu to "Edit >" and you will see "Paste", click, then just hit enter key and you get the action and a response.

 

[chuckr]

Is there a way to do just a simple rename within Windows? I'd rather not have to install an extra program I will never use other than to rename an entry in the boot manager.

{bootmgr} is the BOOT.ini replacement from Vista on up, (Win 7 & Server2008)
For more info you can go here and read a lot more.

Larry,
Good post, but I think the specific line shown above should read something like:

"bootmgr" is the "ntldr" replacement from Vista on up. (These files are the 'executable' loaders.)
"bcd" is the "boot.ini" replacement from Vista on up. (These files direct the selection of which OS to actually boot.)

fusion1,
For my Boot Manager menu "simple rename", I used:

bcdedit /set {ntldr} description "XP Professional in Boot.ini"

Of course, it's always wise to back up the 'bcd-store' prior to any changes, using:
"bcdedit /export " etc.

 

[ian1983]

Im not to sure as i can no longer test as i am no longer dual booting but if you go to control panel....system & security....system, then click on advanced system settings (on the left), then startup and recovery, i think you can change the name there. let me know if you can

 

[fusion1]

ian1983, your method doesn't allow a user to change the name it will display the current names of all partition OSes though.

 

[fusion1]

The earlier methods:

bcdedit /set {yadda yadda yadda} description "Microsoft Windows 7 Build 7201 RC1"

worked, so thanks a million guys!

 

[ADS]

just use the easy bcd, it's more effective or vistabootpro

 

[fusion1]

Don't like to have to use a program to do what the command line can do and I hate installing programs just for something that is this simple.

 

[me4a]

Good post Chuckr

Great easy peasy command ChuckR. thanks but the only thing I like to add is only type XP Professional in Boot.ini if you actually wish for your multi boot menu name to be shown as XP Professional in Boot.ini, otherwise simply type in between the quotation marks "XP Professional" end of or else your multi menu name will be XP Professional in Boot.ini. Thanks again ChuckR.