UEFI Install of Windows 7 Pro

[Layback Bear]

Windows 7 should have a Microsoft COA sticker but I believe that W-8 and above don't have the sticker. On W-8 and above the COA key is saved in the bios.

Jack

 

[feetand nches]

I think I figured out a way to Dig Out the P. Key. If not, I think I'll Install Windows 7 and run another Key Finder Product to try and get the Key off the BIOS. I'm curious if Key Finder Software will find the Windows 8 Key while running Windows 7? I'm sure I'll be back to this Thread soon.

Thanks for all the help guys! Nasty7

 

[feetand nches]

I learned that there are many ways to do this. One with bootable software and with a LiveLinuxSession. Very cool as I already had the Linux in machine and booted up in minutes. Now hoping, (as AddRAM said) I can just install Windows 7, and then Dual Boot with 10 with the Key I dug out of the BIOS.

 

[Megahertz07]

Nothing is saved on BIOS. When fist activated, M$ saves the LAN MAC address. You don't need the key as when reactivating on same MB (same LAN MAC address) it will recognized as valid.

 

[feetand nches]

Nothing is saved on BIOS. When fist activated, M$ saves the LAN MAC address.

Where does it "save" the LAN MAC address? And, what does that have to do with the 25 Character Product Key?

You don't need the key as when reactivating on same MB (same LAN MAC address) it will recognized as valid.

But I will be installing Windows 10, and the Original OS was 8, not 8.1. Will Windows 10 Activate without Inserting the Product Key? AddRAM said I would need that Key and indeed have it now?

 

[AddRAM]

If you somehow got your W8 key, then you have nothing to loose, go ahead and install 10 and see if the key you found will activate 10.

I think Luiz was talking about W8 not W10.

 

[feetand nches]

I'll give it a go!

 

[feetand nches]

Okay guys, I'm ready to install Windows 7 PRO! Have a brand new WD Blue 1TB drive ready to go, now where do I start LOL.

1. Turn Off Secure Boot? and what about Legacy and CSM Stuff?

I'm very unfamiliar with UEFI and quite intimidated with it atm. I guess I'm going MBR like has been the best suggestion IMO. Later I will install Windows 10 along side of 7...I think. I have another computer now with 10 on it, but space is at a premium here, so will wait to decide about the Dual Boot with Windows 10.

2. Are there, or have there been issues where Windows 10 Breaks the Boot-loader when Chain-loading/Dual Booting like this with a major Update like the Creators Update?

Either way I am ready to install, so some basic Instructions would be great. I have the Update procedure all figured out so should be good there.

3. How many Primary Partitions will be installed during Windows 7 Install Two?

Thanks, Nasty7

 

[AddRAM]

Clean Install Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

I run both W7 and W10 in Legacy mode on MBR drives, no issues at all. My 2 4TB drives are GPT. I see no point in using UEFI, I gave it a go for a bit, just didn`t like having all those partitions.

 

[feetand nches]

So what do I do exactly?

1. Disable Secure Boot?

2. Enable Legacy Mode?

3. How does CSM fit into all this?

 

[Megahertz07]

To install Win 7
- Backup all your data
- Disable Secure Boot and Fast boot
- Enable CSM
- Launch the boot menu. You're going to see two options to boot the Win 7 installation DVD: Legacy and UEFI. Boot your Win 7 installation disk as UEFI. Go to install - Advanced - delete all partitions - create new and proceed

 

[feetand nches]

I'm installing now, one thing I want to know, and can't seem to understand the directions at the windows 7 install link. I think I want to install to One Partition, like AddRAM has done in his screenshot. If I understand correctly, all I need to do on a new drive is install? But if I remember correctly, there is a question at some point asking if the 100mb Boot Partition is wanted, is this true?

 

[feetand nches]

Okay, I'm into it further now and don't see how to do this, here is the Instructions from the Seven Forums Instructions, but I find them a little unclear. This is a brand new Drive so there are no Partitions yet but it won't let me install without the 100MB System Reserved. Does this mean I need to "Format" the Drive to get this to work?:

"If you do not want to have the 100 MB System Reserved partition and only the Windows 7 C: partition on a HDD or SSD after installation, then select a formatted partition or drive to install Windows 7 on. If there are any partitions on the disk, you won't get the 100 MB System Reserved."

Thanks, Nasty

 

[AddRAM]

If you still want your install to be UEFI then you can do nothing about the extra partitions that it creates. The installer even tells you this before it moves on and creates the necessary partitions.

If you want to install in Legacy mode then......

It`s simple, if you create a partition to install windows on you won`t get a 100 MB System Reserved partition, if you install to unallocated space you`ll get a SR partition.

I always use my Partition Wizard Boot CD to setup a drive, but Diskpart can also be used.

1) Create a Primary partition
2) Format NTFS
3) Set Active
4) Align

SSD Alignment - Windows 7 Help Forums

DISKPART : At PC Startup - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[feetand nches]

I don't have good patience AddRAM Haha, so went ahead and installed with the SR Partition. I did do some reading while I was banging my head against my desk LOL and found the info you are telling me. I also saw that Bitlocker will not work if there is no SR Partition, so maybe this was a good thing...I don't know. I was really wanting to Triple Boot, and not having that Partition would have been nice, but now am thinking only to Dual or Single Boot to keep things simple. And could still run an Extended I guess and more Logicals?

I wanted to save space and only use one pc, but think I may have to use two. Have windows 10 on the other, so will dual boot that with Linux I think, and keep this one just Windows 7 Pro.

Live and learn, I'm still young in my Tech foray.

 

[AddRAM]

There is no reason to ever use Bitlocker, and it`s only available with Windows 7 Ultimate or Enterprise.

A System Reserved partition is no big deal, it`s only 100 MB.

 

[feetand nches]

Gotcha, I was at one time contemplating a Triple Boot, so it would have been nice (in my mind) to have all three OS's each on their Own Single Partition, and all Primary. This is why I was thinking it would be really good to have the one partition for this install.
Would really be nice to have all three os's on this one small from factor pc, would save me lot's of space in my room.

Thanks for the reminder about the Bitlocker and Ultimate, because I was getting tired last night, my health is not very good. When I get tired start loosing mental functions LOL.

Wish I had two of these bad boys side by side in the same space I usually have one normal size Tower. It's so small and compact, it's great!

Thanks a lot, this was a great learning experience. You've helped me many times AddRAM, along with other long time members here, and I look forward to when I can help folks one day also.

Nasty7

 

[feetand nches]

I want to install Windows 10 in Dual Boot with Windows 7 PRO now. Should I start another Thread or continue here?

I would like to do this with Windows 10 on One Partition, BootLoader and all, both on the same drive. Then use one of the Popular Bootloaders to load either of the two OS's.

Would like to have a simple layout in case I want to remove Windows 10 at some point, or if there are any issues with windows 10 that breaks Chainloading with the Windows 7 PRO Boot-files. Sorry for my lack of proper Terminology.

I like Windows 10, have an Image with the CU in it already. I need to be using it for work, but at home to learn it better. I am limited on space so really thinking about doing this Dual Boot!

I think also to put them both on smallish Partitions, and then allocate another for Storage, so any advice on how to proceed properly would be very welcome.

 

[AddRAM]

Post a shot of Disk Management, we`ll go from there.

 

[Megahertz07]

- Open disk management.
- Shrink the Win 7 right side partition. Leave 85G for Win 7
- On the un allocated right partition, make two more partition. A big one and a 120 G at the right. Format them as NTFS
- From left to right
- (MS reserved - 120M) + (Win 7 - 85G) + (Data - Big NTFS) + Win 10 - 120G)
- Boot from Win 10 and install it at the last partition = 120G