How set up multi- boot system


  1. Nisko
    Posts : 242
    Windows 7
       New #1

    How set up multi- boot system


    I am using Windows 7 SP-1 and have 581GB free space on my 1TB SSD. I would like to set up a clean Window 7 partition for experimenting, a partition for experimenting with Windows 10 and a partition in which I will install my current software into Windows 7. Can't find a tutorial to set up a multi boot system. Could someone please point me in the right direction? Also, how much space should I allocate for the experimental partitions (I only plan to install one or two programs at a time in these partitions). Thank you.........
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  3. DavidE
    Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       New #2

    Are you aware that if you multi-boot with 2 Win 7 OS's and 1 Win 10 OS you will need 3 Windows licenses ?

    See if these tutorials help (the Vista/7 tutorial instructions should be similar to 7/7):
    Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista
    Windows 10 - Dual Boot with Windows 7 or Windows 8 - Windows 10 Forums

    Post a maximized screen print of Disk Management before making changes.
    Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image

    Also make sure everything is backed up before starting.
    For System Image backups i use Macrium Reflect free.
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  4. Nisko
    Posts : 242
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Multi-Boot


    David, thank you for the reply. As for the licenses, I own Windows 7 (have a license). If I set up another partition on the same computer with Windows 7, I don't believe I need another license. Windows 10 is free if you own Windows 7 - and I do. So I don't believe there is any cost to do what I propose. Please reply.....
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  6. DavidE
    Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       New #4

    My understanding is 1 Win 7 License only allows for 1 installed Win 7 OS.
    If you dual-boot Win 7, each OS needs a separate license.

    Yes, you can use the free upgrade offer from Win 7 to Win 10.
    But, you can not legally dual-boot W7 and W10 with that same license.
    It's a free OS upgrade offer, not a free OS license offer.

    You may be able to install as you want to, but if and when MS detects what you are doing they could blacklist/block your license (for all OS's).

    I'm not a licensing/legal expert, so maybe you should ask the licensing questions in this sub-forum for better help:
    Windows Updates & Activation
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  7. AddRAM
    Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       New #5

    You need a separate license for each install, you can not use 1 key to activate 2 separate installs.

    I would just divide the 581 GB of space you have into 3 equal partitions.

    You can have a max of only 4 Primary partitions with windows. I would create and use a Partition Wizard Boot cd, to manage your partitions, it much safer to work with partitions outside of windows.

    Bootable Partition Manager| MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable Edition
    Last edited by AddRAM; 05 Apr 2016 at 19:27. Reason: Removed the word do !!!
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