Dual-boot Win7 Pro and Win10 Pro question


  1. Posts : 123
    Win7 Pro 64-bit sp1
       #1

    Dual-boot Win7 Pro and Win10 Pro question


    Hi guys...it's been a long time since I installed an OS so I wanted to ask first:
    Is it best to install Win10 on a separate partition on the same SSD that Win7 is on? Or put Win10 on a separate SSD?

    This desktop is old. I put it together in 2010 - MSI BigBang X58, Gulftown 980X, GTX 780 6GB, 24GB G.Skill. The Win10 upgrade didn't flag any hardware so I assume Win10 will run fine. Current OS is Win7 Pro 64-bit. I want to install Win10 Pro, then be able to choose which OS I use for that session w/out going into the BIOS every time. I have OEM DVDs for both OS.

    I guess that's it - same SSD or separate SSDs - hopefully I can figure out the rest.
    Thank you folks!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 16,187
    7 X64
       #2

    Up to you. I have several os on the same disk.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 123
    Win7 Pro 64-bit sp1
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I should've been clearer - I'm trying to learn if there's any advantage to keeping the OS on separate drives - other than if a drive dies it doesn't take both OS with it.

    I'd prefer to keep them on 2 different drives but is there a way to make both appear as a choice w/out going into the BIOS?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 16,187
    7 X64
       #4

    you could add a bcd entry for both os. Then whichever bootmanager is selected it can offer both os on the boot menu

    the boot manager and the bcd store live on the esp partition

    boot manager looks in the bcd store for directions.

    Usually the bcd store points at the os partition on the same disk.

    If you have another os partition on that disk, another entry will point at it.

    Boot manager will see the two entries and throw up a menu so you can choose.

    A bcd entry can also point at an os partition a different disk.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 513
    Windows 7 x64 SP1
       #5

    What SIW2 said. On Linux, you would use the Grub Menu, but on Windows Easy BCD seems to be the only way. There is a free version, at the bottom of the page:

    EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 16,187
    7 X64
       #6

    bcdboot and bcdedit are command line tools included in recent versions of windows.

    I put win11 bcdboot11.exe into system32 because it has some advantages over the win7 version

    64bit-bcdboot11.zip

    then instead of running command like

    bcdboot d:\windows

    just type

    bcdboot11.exe d:\windows

    I am a bit lazy so I often use bootice for things like changing descriptions

    BOOTICE-1.3.3.zip

    Dual-boot Win7 Pro and Win10 Pro question-bootice1.3.3.jpg
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 169
    Windows 7 Home Premium
       #7

    rcanino said:
    is there a way to make both appear as a choice w/out going into the BIOS?
    Happens automatically. Just don't remove any disk.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 123
    Win7 Pro 64-bit sp1
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Thank you for the replies!
      My Computer


 

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