How to dual boot Windows 7 ON Windows 10

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excel0

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Here are the things that should be taken into consideration:
  • Windows 10 currently installed
  • UEFI (Legacy/BIOS is supported but I do not prefer using it as it may cause more problems in the future)
  • 1 Hard Disk Drive

Goals:
  • Install Windows 7 on another partition
  • Maintain my current Windows 10 installation
  • NOT have to switch to Legacy/BIOS mode

I found this: Windows 10 - Dual Boot with Windows 7 or Windows 8 - Windows 10 Forums
But it assumes a Windows 7 installation and subsequently dual booting Windows 10 on it. What I would like is essentially the opposite.
 

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Windows 10 Single Language 64 bitIntel Core-i7 4700HQ4GBNvidia Geforce GT 750M
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Lenovo Y410P
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Windows 10 Single Language 64 bit
CPU
Intel Core-i7 4700HQ
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4GB
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Nvidia Geforce GT 750M
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Bitdefender Free
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Legacy/BIOS is required to install windows 7.
The only way to dual-boot windows 7&10 would be to enable legacy/BIOS
 

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Windows 7 Professional x64AMD A8-64108GB DDR3Radeon R5 Graphics
Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP
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Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
AMD A8-6410
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8GB DDR3
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Radeon R5 Graphics
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1366X768
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Firefox
excel0 said:
Here are the things that should be taken into consideration:
  • Windows 10 currently installed
  • UEFI (Legacy/BIOS is supported but I do not prefer using it as it may cause more problems in the future)
  • 1 Hard Disk Drive

Goals:
  • Install Windows 7 on another partition
  • Maintain my current Windows 10 installation
  • NOT have to switch to Legacy/BIOS mode

I found this: Windows 10 - Dual Boot with Windows 7 or Windows 8 - Windows 10 Forums
But it assumes a Windows 7 installation and subsequently dual booting Windows 10 on it. What I would like is essentially the opposite.
Click to expand...


1. Mount/extract the Windows 7 iso image
You will need to mount the Windows 7 iso so you can access the install.wim file or You could even use 7zip to simply extract the contents of the iso instead.
2. Create a partition for Windows 7
You can use Windows Disk Management or any third-party tools to create a partition for Windows 7.
3. Download imagex.zip
Download imagex.zip and extract it to c:\imagex.
4. Run imagex /apply to extract install.wim
Open an elevated command prompt, run the following command:
cd c:\imagex
imagex /apply e:\sources\install.wim 1 h:\
5. Get Ready to Boot
Once imagex is done, run the following command:
bcdboot h:\Windows
6. Reboot and Enjoy!
Reboot into bios, disable the uefi secure boot (Windows 7 does not support uefi secure boot, so we need to disable it) then save and reboot. Now you get to see the dual boot menu, have fun!!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64

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Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
OS
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
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2x HP w2207
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5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
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with trackball - no mices
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Trackball mice
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DSL 6000

My Computer My Computer

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Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64biti7-5930K 2nd i9-9940x both water blocked VRM'...Trident-z 3200C14 2nd Trident-z 3600C16EVGA 1080ti ftw3 2nd Titan Xp both water blocked
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom assembled by me :}
OS
Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
CPU
i7-5930K 2nd i9-9940x both water blocked VRM's too
Motherboard
ASUS SABERTOOTH X99 2nd ASUS x299 Apex
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Trident-z 3200C14 2nd Trident-z 3600C16
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EVGA 1080ti ftw3 2nd Titan Xp both water blocked
Sound Card
Built-in Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
1-AOC G2460PG 24"G-Sync 144Hz/ 2nd 1-ASUS VG248QE 24" 144Hz
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080 144Hz
Hard Drives
2-Samsung M.2 Evo & Evo Plus
2-Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD's/ 3-2.5 W.D. Black 1tb-&3-1tb/3-3.5 WD Black 1tb hdd's
PSU
EVGA SuperNOVA 1000-P2 2nd 1200-P2
Case
2-Corsair Obsidian Series 450D Black ATX Mid Tower
Cooling
Custom water loops
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Logitech G710+/ 2nd Logitech G910
Mouse
2-RedDragon M901 Perdition 16400 dpi Gaming mouse = wired
Internet Speed
Comcast Ping 19ms 89.31mbps download speed 6.12mbps upload
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Malwarebytes Pro/ Superantispyware Pro
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FireFox & Pale moon
Other Info
2nd ASUS X299 Apex/Intel i9-9940x with Custom water loop/7H-Prem-x64/Corsair 450D case/Ram Trident-z 3600C16 4x8gb / Samsung970Evo plus 500gb SSD/Dual ssd EZ swap evo/PSU EVGA SuperNova 1200w-P2 80+Platinum/GPU Titan Xp /8-ML-140 on push-pull on 2-280GTX rads
excel0 said:
Here are the things that should be taken into consideration:
  • Windows 10 currently installed
  • UEFI (Legacy/BIOS is supported but I do not prefer using it as it may cause more problems in the future)
  • 1 Hard Disk Drive

Goals:
  • Install Windows 7 on another partition
  • Maintain my current Windows 10 installation
  • NOT have to switch to Legacy/BIOS mode

I found this: Windows 10 - Dual Boot with Windows 7 or Windows 8 - Windows 10 Forums
But it assumes a Windows 7 installation and subsequently dual booting Windows 10 on it. What I would like is essentially the opposite.
Click to expand...

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Apologies for hijacking this thread but my issue is exactly the same as excel0's.

So anyone succeeded is getting Win 7 installed on the same machine as Win 10 using the same configuration (UEFI/GPT)? Secure boot is off, of course.

Got Acer Aspire E17 E5-774G-74CB with Win 10 and I want to also have the tried and true Win 7. Spent the whole weekend in vain trying to apply the methods that worked before for Win 8.1 (Rufus USB in GPT/MBR modes).

In GPT mode, the Win 7 setup can be started even with the Windows Explorer from the running Win 10 session. It runs fine within the same session but upon the reboot, the notorious red line/red bar at the top. I had the same with another Acer (Aspire E1-510-29204G50Mnkk) and I failed to overcome it.

Running the setup from a GPT/FAT32 USB stick also fails on the same step (red bar at the top with "Windows is Starting Up").

Dual Boot Win 8 and Win 7 UEFI GPT Aspire e1-510?
Solved: Re: Acer e1 510 linux model boot problem - Page 10 - Acer Community - 218421

Acer Aspire E15: Multiple Issues
Acer Aspire E15: Multiple Issues - Acer Community - 388550

Trying to install windows from usb
Trying to install windows from usb - Computer Brands

I really want to have both Windows 7 and 10 working on GPT. I have a similar setup now on Lenovo IdeaPad Z710 20250 where Win 7 was successfully installed on a Win 8.1 system (legacy support BIOS but GPT disk).

But I also tried MBR (with BIOS switched to Legacy). First problem with it is that the existing Win 10 doesn't boot. Any way to fix it without a complete wipe out/reinstall? Acer doesn't provide Win 10 installation except for the recovery partition which I would most likely have to delete to be able to use MBR anyway.

Second problem with the MBR option is that Win 7 installation also fails, albeit with a different error “A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing”.

How to Fix “A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing” Occurred in Windows 7 Install
https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledg...ver-is-missing-occurred-in-windows-7-install/

Trying to install Windows 7 - "A required CD/DVD driver is missing"
Trying to install Windows 7 - "A required CD/DVD driver is missing" - Windows 7

I don't have any USB setting in BIOS so feel kind of stuck here as well. Obviously, changing ports or even USB sticks had no effect.

So if making Win 7 happily coexisting with Win 10 on the existing GPT isn't possible (this is priority), I would like to have just Win 7 on this GPT. Converting to MBR would be the least preferred.

Thanks in advance.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win
Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer
OS
Win
heroleo said:
1. Mount/extract the Windows 7 iso image
You will need to mount the Windows 7 iso so you can access the install.wim file or You could even use 7zip to simply extract the contents of the iso instead.
2. Create a partition for Windows 7
You can use Windows Disk Management or any third-party tools to create a partition for Windows 7.
3. Download imagex.zip
Download imagex.zip and extract it to c:\imagex.
4. Run imagex /apply to extract install.wim
Open an elevated command prompt, run the following command:
cd c:\imagex
imagex /apply e:\sources\install.wim 1 h:\
5. Get Ready to Boot
Once imagex is done, run the following command:
bcdboot h:\Windows
6. Reboot and Enjoy!
Reboot into bios, disable the uefi secure boot (Windows 7 does not support uefi secure boot, so we need to disable it) then save and reboot. Now you get to see the dual boot menu, have fun!!
Click to expand...

Did anyone try this approach? Can I really mount a Win 7 installation partition from a Win 10 session?? I suppose it means GPT/UEFI.

Cheers
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win
Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer
OS
Win
xse said:
Legacy/BIOS is required to install windows 7.
The only way to dual-boot windows 7&10 would be to enable legacy/BIOS
Click to expand...

That isn't true. Win 7 can be installed as UEFI-GPT

You don't have to make a BIOS switch to have Win 10 and Win 7 as long as you disable secure boot (for both).
As Win 10 is installed as UEFI you must also install win 7 as UEFI. To do so, make sure you boot the win 7 installation disk as UEFI.

Prepare your system for dual boot:
- As things can go wrong, before you begin, make the Factory Recover disks from your Lenovo laptop.
- Backup your data on another disk.
- Defrag Win 10 partition.
- Open Disk Manager and create a new partition for Win 7 (>60G).

Boot from Win 7 installation disk as UEFI, go to install, choose the created partition and proceed.
Once installed, open device manager and load the missing drivers.

Windows boot manager will be created with Win 10 and Win 7 option.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 HP 64i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    custom build
    OS
    Windows 7 HP 64
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Proi7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz(4+4)G DDR3 1600IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Asus Q550LF
    OS
    Windows 7 Pro
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs +
    1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall
I am having problems too :(

Hi I am also having issues trying to install Windows 7 alongside Windows 10, however in my case I am starting the installation from within Windows 10, and when the system reboots for the first time I see the "Windows is starting" boot screen and all seems to be going well but then it freezes forever. I disabled secure boot, I am using a USB drive to install from, and I am mega confused. I used to dual boot a lot in virtual machines so I cannot understand why I am struggling so much. Also, if you would be able to tell me how to boot from a disk as UEFI?
Thank you.

Megahertz07 said:
That isn't true. Win 7 can be installed as UEFI-GPT

You don't have to make a BIOS switch to have Win 10 and Win 7 as long as you disable secure boot (for both).
As Win 10 is installed as UEFI you must also install win 7 as UEFI. To do so, make sure you boot the win 7 installation disk as UEFI.

Prepare your system for dual boot:
- As things can go wrong, before you begin, make the Factory Recover disks from your Lenovo laptop.
- Backup your data on another disk.
- Defrag Win 10 partition.
- Open Disk Manager and create a new partition for Win 7 (>60G).

Boot from Win 7 installation disk as UEFI, go to install, choose the created partition and proceed.
Once installed, open device manager and load the missing drivers.

Windows boot manager will be created with Win 10 and Win 7 option.
Click to expand...
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 x64Intel Core i3-3110M 2.40GHz4GBIntel HD Graphics 3000
Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Fujitsu LIFEBOOK A512
OS
Windows 10 x64
CPU
Intel Core i3-3110M 2.40GHz
Motherboard
Fujitsu
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Hard Drives
Toshiba MQ01ABF050
Antivirus
Windows 10 Built in
Browser
Google Chrome

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 HP 64i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    custom build
    OS
    Windows 7 HP 64
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Proi7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz(4+4)G DDR3 1600IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Asus Q550LF
    OS
    Windows 7 Pro
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs +
    1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall
Thank you but the USB works from within windows. Also, I do not have a uefi option when I get my boot menu. And also, after editing the BIOS and turning on CMS, I can no longer get to the boot options menu by pressing f2 or f12 because this keeps taking me to the BIOS setup now. Thanks. P.s. I have a phoenix BIOS.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 x64Intel Core i3-3110M 2.40GHz4GBIntel HD Graphics 3000
Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Fujitsu LIFEBOOK A512
OS
Windows 10 x64
CPU
Intel Core i3-3110M 2.40GHz
Motherboard
Fujitsu
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Hard Drives
Toshiba MQ01ABF050
Antivirus
Windows 10 Built in
Browser
Google Chrome
Okay so enabling CMS in the BIOS setup fixed my problem and allowed me to get to installing Windows 7 but now how do I get the boot device menu to appear again (e.g. for in the future when I want to book from CD/USB)? What's weird also is that when I save and exit the BIOS it never remembers the settings I make for the boot order but everything else it saves.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 x64Intel Core i3-3110M 2.40GHz4GBIntel HD Graphics 3000
Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Fujitsu LIFEBOOK A512
OS
Windows 10 x64
CPU
Intel Core i3-3110M 2.40GHz
Motherboard
Fujitsu
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Hard Drives
Toshiba MQ01ABF050
Antivirus
Windows 10 Built in
Browser
Google Chrome
Is fast boot disabled?
To launch the boot menu varies from one manufacture to the other. Read your manual.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 HP 64i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000IG - Intel 530
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    custom build
    OS
    Windows 7 HP 64
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4200MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall

  • At a glance

    Windows 7 Proi7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz(4+4)G DDR3 1600IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Asus Q550LF
    OS
    Windows 7 Pro
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800MHz to 3.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs +
    1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    TinyWall firewall
Megahertz07 said:
Is fast boot disabled?
To launch the boot menu varies from one manufacture to the other. Read your manual.
Click to expand...

I tried disabling fast boot, and now on the boot screen I get a grey bar at the bottom which says Press F2 for bios setup or F12 for the boot selection menu. It doesn't matter which one I press, it takes me to the bios setup (I have a password enabled for my bios setup if that helps you diagnose the problem any better). I just don't understand what's going on and it's frustrating because now I want to boot from a live USB :(
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 x64Intel Core i3-3110M 2.40GHz4GBIntel HD Graphics 3000
Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Fujitsu LIFEBOOK A512
OS
Windows 10 x64
CPU
Intel Core i3-3110M 2.40GHz
Motherboard
Fujitsu
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Hard Drives
Toshiba MQ01ABF050
Antivirus
Windows 10 Built in
Browser
Google Chrome
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