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...
pleasee helppP! :((((((( i hawe laptop! and win7 ultimate 32bit..now i try to make dual-boot..i instal win xp...in another partition! I INSTAL WIN XP! butt when i start my PC,i don't hawe choice to use win7 or win xp!! my english is bad,I know,,soryy!! but i don't understand what to do!! now when i go in d drive (where before there was win7) i hawe instalation of win 7..and when i go in disk E i see instalation of win xp..but howw to put dual boot..sory but help pleasee :(((((((((( !!
 

My Computer

OS
Windos 7 Ultimate 32bit.
Hello,
i Really need some Help iam Stuck since 6 Hours on this.. all Worked fine i got a Bootmenue etc.

but i cant finish my WinXP installation i always get this Error 0x0000007B wich is usual a sign for "INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE"
but i Loaded my SATA Drivers on Nlite and got them on the Winxp CD and i even saw them getting Copied while Starting WinXP installer do i have to Copy other Drivers too? like Board,Sound,USB whatever...?
Btw iam Using an Asus P8B75-M LE Mainboard and 1x 8Gig Ram No Raid just 1 SATA HDD

Iam Happy for anykind of Help allrdy installed and deleted it like 10 Times and getting crazy here
Sorry for the Bad English
 

My Computer

OS
windows 7
Are you using XP SP3 installer? Does it see the HD partitions when you boot it and arrive at the Drive Selection screen? Are you full formatting the partition you create there?

When does the error occur exactly?

If you're trying to install it with Win7 already on the HD, is the SATA controller set to IDE in BIOS setup? This may be required to install XP. If you have another HD I would also try wiping it first with Diskpart Clean Command then partition and full format with XP installer. Do this with the Win7 HD unplugged.

I would strongly consider virtualizing XP using XP Mode, VIrtual Box, VM Ware, etc. since XP is almost too old to install on modern hardware.
 
gregrocker said:
Are you using XP SP3 installer? Does it see the HD partitions when you boot it and arrive at the Drive Selection screen? Are you full formatting the partition you create there?

When does the error occur exactly?

If you're trying to install it with Win7 already on the HD, is the SATA controller set to IDE in BIOS setup? This may be required to install XP. If you have another HD I would also try wiping it first with Diskpart Clean Command then partition and full format with XP installer. Do this with the Win7 HD unplugged.

I would strongly consider virtualizing XP using XP Mode, VIrtual Box, VM Ware, etc. since XP is almost too old to install on modern hardware.
Click to expand...

I used first 3-4 times one with SP2 than Organized one with SP3 (XP Prof 32bit SP3)
Yes it sees all Partions when iam at the Drive Selecion
Yes i was Formatting it before
After i select the Drive it Copys all the Data wait some Minutes while Copy etc.. than when it says 15sec to Restart or use Enter i [Enter] PC rebooting than i get the XP Starting/Loading Screen and right after that this Bluescreen with this Error

Jeah but i need it iam getting while Gaming Errors on my PC Coloured Screens with Different Colours after some Minutes sometines Hours of WoW so i changed PC Hardware 2 Times than the PC Shop changed it a 3th time and gave another Board,HDD etc and i still got this Problem so we Figured out that this is maybe a Problem with my Hardware+Win7+WoW and i was going to try it with WinXP since i though in Vista Compatibel Mode it seems to work
 

My Computer

OS
windows 7
i got only one HDD and it was "fresh" 1 PArtion Win7 works fine the other was suppsoed to get Winxp the HDD was just liek 5 Hours old new Bought
 

My Computer

OS
windows 7
Sometimes it works better to install XP first, if necessary to a wiped HD. Then when you install Win7 afterwards it should also configure the Dual Boot for you.
 
Thanks!

Thank's
Great Job Bro!
But easyBCD is Not Working in XP 32bit OS While 7 already der?
Yepy But It Works From Windows 7 :)
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Samsung
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate & Windows 8
Hello Rash, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.

Did you do step 7 in OPTION TWO to install ".Net Framework 2.0 32-bit version" for EasyBCD to work in XP?
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
PSU
Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
Internet Speed
2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Question Re: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

I'm planning on performing a dual boot installation on a PC with separate hard disk drive than the XP drive. I'm not clear on the steps to take. In Step 6 (Finish installing Windows 7), a Note states to start with Step 9. However the instuction seem to indicate I have to do Steps 7 and 8 first which conisists of installing the .Netframework 2.0 (32-bit) version and the EasyBCD. I already downloaded both programs but have not installed them. Do I go ahead and install them at this point (after Step 6)? Does install and Run mean the same thing?
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Built
OS
Windows XP Home Edition 32-Bit
CPU
3.2 GHz AMD Phenom II X4 955
Motherboard
Asus M3A32-MVP DeLuxe
Memory
3328 MBytes
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon HD 6670
Hard Drives
WDC WD4000AAKS-00YGA0
Maxtor 6L300S0
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essential
Browser
IE8
If you're using separate HD's then always unplug the other HD during OS install, then boot your choice by setting preferred HD to boot first, using the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key to boot the other.

If you don't like this arrangement you can install EasyBCD to Win7 to add XP to a Dual Boot menu on the Add OS tab. This will still keep each OS independent to boot itself via the BIOS.

If you've already installed XP to the other HD with Win7 plugged in, then restart Win7 by marking it or it's 100mb System Reserved partition Active, then run Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times.
Then you can install EasyBCD to Win7 to add XP which always works best.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/71432-partition-mark-active.html
 
hey there, i'm currently attempting a dual boot with xp from a windows 7 laptop using the very helpful tutorial i found here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/8057-dual-boot-installation-windows-7-xp.html

i've sucessfully created a new partition by closely following the instructions, i restarted, booted from the windows XP disc, it said "Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed on your computer."

what did i do wrong?
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Lenovo Thinkpad
OS
Windows 7 professional 64 bit
Memory
4gb
oh, shucks. well i don't have a floppy drive on the laptop, and the slipstream just looks painful. thank you for the quick reply though.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Lenovo Thinkpad
OS
Windows 7 professional 64 bit
Memory
4gb
gregrocker said:
If necessary to run a program I'd consider virtualizing XP in Win7 using freeware like XP Mode, VM Ware, Virtual Player, Virtual Box, etc.

But most XP programs can be made to run in Win7 using Compatibility Mode
Click to expand...

actually, that is my situation completely, i am just trying to use an old external sound card (emagics 2|6) because my headphones jack is inoperable. and i tried using the VM Ware Player, but it wouldn't take my product key for XP, and i got it right off the disc, it's legit. i then tried looking up a bunch of other product keys, must've typed out 20 of them, none of them worked so i opted to learn how to dual boot myself. now i'm starting to think it's time to start looking for sound cards, i was just hoping i could avoid losing the cash.

i might try out compatability mode or some of the other virtual hosting programs you mentioned
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Lenovo Thinkpad
OS
Windows 7 professional 64 bit
Memory
4gb
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