Any way to stop Windows 8.1 from replacing Win 7 boot manager?

[JohnGrigg]

As the title says. After installing 8.1 on a new partition (same disk) it replaces Windows 7 boot loader and configuration.

In order to fix it i have to wipe the partition, wipe all the entries in bcdedit except the memory test and then let startup recovery fix win 7 boot.

Some things I've researched:

• Make a VHD and install it on that, but im thinking it will still overwrite the boot info.
• If I backed up the current boot config is there a way to add a generic boot entry for win 8.1?

Here's my current boot config:

Windows Boot Manager
--------------------
identifier              {bootmgr}
device                  partition=C:
description             Windows Boot Manager
locale                  en-US
inherit                 {globalsettings}
default                 {current}
resumeobject            {ea98e852-8be2-11e3-8987-d13e75d13fd5}
displayorder            {current}
toolsdisplayorder       {memdiag}
timeout                 30

Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier              {current}
device                  partition=C:
path                    \Windows\system32\winload.exe
description             Windows 7
locale                  en-US
inherit                 {bootloadersettings}
osdevice                partition=C:
systemroot              \Windows
resumeobject            {ea98e852-8be2-11e3-8987-d13e75d13fd5}
nx                      AlwaysOff
pae                     Default
bootux                  Disabled
detecthal               Yes
sos                     No
debug                   No

 

[derekimo]

I think this is what you are trying to do here,

How to Disable New Metro Boot Loader and Bring Back Windows Vista and 7 Style Boot Loader in Windows 8? - AskVG

 

[theog]

Or take a look at

Boot UI Tuner for Windows 8

 

[gregrocker]

Easiest is to install Win8 on a separate HD with the Win7 HD unplugged.

If you can't do that then after 8 install you can mark Win7 partition Active again, boot the Win7 disk to run http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html.

Once Win7 again holds the System flag, if necessary install EasyBCD to add Win8 to a Dual Boot menu.