Installing Windows 7 and 8.1 on the same system

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  1. Posts : 38
    Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #1

    Installing Windows 7 and 8.1 on the same system


    I recently purchased a Dell Inspiron 3847 with Windows 8.1 64 bit installed on its HDD. I wanted to use it as a dedicated Windows Media Center HTPC which comes bundled with Windows 7 Pro so I added a 128GB SSD as the boot device and installed Windows 7 Pro 64 bit. Is there any way to setup the system to have options to select one of these operating systems at every boot so I can occasionally boot from Windows 8.1 and keep it patched/current?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,915
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #2

    Hello, have a look here on how to dual boot 7 and 8

    Dual Boot Installation - Windows 8 and Windows 7 or Vista
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 38
    Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thank you so very much for pointing me to this detailed solution.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5,915
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #4

    You're welcome. Post back and let us know how it works for you.
      My Computer

  5.    #5

    Did you already install Win7, and if so did you unplug the WIn8 drive during 7 install? If so you can boot your choice of HD's via the BIOS Boot Priiority order (7) or if you want 8 the BIOS Boot menu key at boot. If this isn't to your liking you can add 8 to a Windows Boot Menu from Win7 using EasyBCD (click Download - no Name or Email required).

    But let us see a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image first so we can be sure.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 38
    Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
    Thread Starter
       #6

    gregrocker said:
    Did you already install Win7, and if so did you unplug the WIn8 drive during 7 install? If so you can boot your choice of HD's via the BIOS Boot Priiority order (7) or if you want 8 the BIOS Boot menu key at boot. If this isn't to your liking you can add 8 to a Windows Boot Menu from Win7 using EasyBCD (click Download - no Name or Email required).

    But let us see a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image first so we can be sure.
    Yes, I unplugged the original Win8 HDD while installing Win7. Attached is the Disk management image. In BIOS boot options, the 1st boot device is [Internal ODD Device] and the 2nd boot device is [UEFI:Windows Boot M...].
    I created a partition on the HDD to store my media and assigned it as the D drive. I believe the Win8 partition is the Q drive.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Installing Windows 7 and 8.1 on the same system-disk_mgmt.jpg  
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit
       #7

    Dude said:
    Hello, have a look here on how to dual boot 7 and 8

    Dual Boot Installation - Windows 8 and Windows 7 or Vista
    Thanks Dude
      My Computer

  8.    #8

    Are you able to boot into Windows 8 now?

    The BIOS boot for a secondary UEFI drive may not be achievable since it is booted by Windows Boot Manager.

    Since both are UEFI installs which are to be booted from Windows Boot Manager unless you can find a wayin the BIOS to choose another HD to trigger its Windows Boot Manager, the best way for your to add Windows 8 to a Dual Boot menu may be to install EasyBCD (click Download - no Name or Email required) to add Windows 8.

    Let us know how this goes.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 38
    Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Thank you. I don't have a second drive to boot option in BIOS. If I were to remove the Windows 7 SSD and boot from Windows 8, would I be able to use its boot manager to add the Win7 drive?
    I'll give EasyBCD a try this week and provide update.
      My Computer

  10.    #10

    Why do you need Windows 8? I'd just wipe the drive with Diskpart Clean Command and use it for storage.

    If what you're asking is if you add Win8 to a Dual Boot menu from Win7 using EasyBCD can you unplug either drive and have the other still boot, normally you would but since every UEFI BIOS is different you'd need to test it to be sure.
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:00.
Find Us