You Vlited for size, right? There is no performance clawback found Vliting Win7 over months of tests - it is too lean and stripped down already. Strip out networking or security services and you will have issues elsewhere. It simply doesn't pay in any way except for size.

Dual booting is fine. Another option with built-in Drive Imaging is to save externally a Win7 backup image to reimage Starter in 15 minutes.