Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP

How to Setup a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP​

   Information

This will show you how to install Windows 7 and XP to dual boot with when you already have either Windows 7 or XP installed first.

   Note

With a dual boot installaton, you will have two operating systems (OS) installed. When you start the computer, you will have the choice to choose which OS you would like to start up to. This method is the easiest way of doing a dual boot with these two operating systems.

   Tip

When dual booting with another OS (ex: Vista or XP), you may not always have that OS partition show up in Computer with a driver letter in Windows 7. If this happens, then you will just need to add a drive letter to the OS (ex: Vista or XP) partition in Windows 7 Disk Management for it to show up in Computer with a driver letter.

   Warning

To stop XP from deleting your Windows 7 System Restore Points everytime XP is started, then see System Restore Points - Stop XP Dual Boot Delete to hide Windows 7 from XP.

Windows 7 Minimum Hardware Requirements


NOTE: For more information on this, see: Windows 7 system requirements

• 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor
• 1 GB RAM for 32-bit Windows 7 OR 2 GB RAM for 64-bit Windows 7
• 16 GB available disk space 32-bit Windows 7 OR 20 GB for 64-bit Windows 7
• Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB memory (in order to enable Aero theme)
• DVD-R/W Drive
• Internet or phone access to activate Windows 7.

Windows XP Minimum Hardware Requirements

NOTE: For more information on this, see: System requirements for Windows XP operating systems

• PC with 300 megahertz (MHz) or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233-MHz minimum required;* Intel Pentium/Celeron family, AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended
• 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features)
• 1.5 gigabyte (GB) of available hard disk space.*
• Super VGA (800 × 600) or higher resolution video adapter and monitor
• CD-ROM or DVD drive
• Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

EXAMPLE: Windows Boot Manager
NOTE: This is the boot screen where you select what operating system that you would like to start. By default, you have 30 seconds to choose another operating system before the default operating system will start automatically.

OPTION ONE

When XP is Installed First

NOTE: If you have a RAID setup, you will need to have the Windows 7 RAID drivers on a USB flash drive available to select and load while installing Windows 7.
1. Do step 2 or 3 below for where you wanted to install Windows 7 at.

2. To Create a New Partition from the XP Hard Disk Drive
A) With your Windows 7 installation disc boot into the Command Prompt from the System Recovery Options screen.
NOTE: Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is selected first in the boot order in the BIOS.

B) In the command prompt, select and shrink the XP volume by how many MB (1024 MB = 1 GB) you want to have for this Windows 7 partition. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You would do steps 2 to 9 in METHOD TWO at that link. Windows 7 will need a minimum of 16 GB (16384 MB).

C) Click on the X at the top right corner to close the command prompt. (See screenshot above)

D) Click on the X at the top right corner to close System Recovery Options. (See screenshot below)

E) Go to step 4.
3. To Use a Separate Hard Disk Drive than the XP Drive
A) Boot from your Windows 7 installation disc.
NOTE: Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is selected first in the boot order in the BIOS.
4. Click on the Install now button. (See screenshot below)

5. When you get to this point, select the partition (step 2) or hard drive to install Windows 7 on. (See screenshot below)

6. Finish installing Windows 7.
NOTE: You would start at step 9 in that link to finish installing Windows 7.

7. When finished, restart the computer to have the option to boot from XP (Earlier Verision of Windows) or Windows 7. (See screenshot below)

   Note

If you are only booting into Windows 7 and do not have XP listed in the Windows Boot Manager, then you can install only EasyBCD (step 8 Option Two below) to add XP (or Windows 7) while started in Windows 7 the same way to the boot list.

OPTION TWO

When Windows 7 is Installed First

   Warning

• If you have a RAID setup, you will need to have the XP RAID drivers for your specific motherboard on a Floppy disc available to select and load at the F6 prompt while installing XP.
• If you have a SATA drive, then you will need to do either one of these options to load the SATA drivers for XP for your specific motherboard.
  • How to Slipstream SATA drivers into Windows XP setup CD with Dual Boot of Windows 7 or Vista
  • How to Load SATA Drivers in Windows XP Setup on your Dual Boot PC with Vista or Windows 7 for how to load your SATA drivers from a Floppy disc at the F6 prompt while installing XP.

1. To Create a New Partition from the Windows 7 Hard Disk Drive
NOTE: If you want to install XP on a separate internal hard drive instead, then skip this step and go to step 2.
A) In Windows 7, select and shrink the Windows 7 volume in Disk Management by how many MB (1024 MB = 1 GB) you want to have for this XP partition. (See screenshots below)
NOTE: You would do all of Method One at that link.





2. Insert your XP installation disc, then restart the computer and press any key to boot from it when prompted. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is selected first in the boot order in the BIOS.

3. From XP Setup, Press Enter. (See screenshot below)

   Warning

• If you have a RAID setup, you will need to have the XP RAID drivers for your specific motherboard on a Floppy disc available to select and load at the F6 prompt while installing XP.
• If you have a SATA drive, then you will need to do either one of these options to load the SATA drivers for XP for your specific motherboard.
  • How to Slipstream SATA drivers into Windows XP setup CD with Dual Boot of Windows 7 or Vista
  • How to Load SATA Drivers in Windows XP Setup on your Dual Boot PC with Vista or Windows 7 for how to load your SATA drivers from a Floppy disc at the F6 prompt while installing XP.

4. Press F8. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: On some multimedia keyboards, you may need to press the F-Lock or Function key before pressing F8.

5. Select the partition (step 1) or hard drive that you want to install XP on using the arrow keys and press Enter.

6. Finish installing XP.

   Tip

If you get Error loading Operating System after XP restarts:

• Using your Windows 7 installation disc, boot to the command prompt at startup.
• Type in these comands below, and press enter after each one.
  • bootrec /FixMbr
  • bootrec /FixBoot
  • bootrec /RebuildBcd
• Exit the command prompt and restart the computer.
• At this point, Windows 7 should boot up the same way before trying to install XP.
• Continue to step 8 below and run EasyBCD from Windows 7 instead.

7. In XP, download and install .Net Framework 2.0 (32-bit) version or .Net Framework 2.0 (64-bit) version first, and EasyBCD (free version) for your 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x86) XP.
NOTE: In XP, Net Framework is required to be installed to run EasyBCD. After you click on Register (at bottom of link) for the free EasyBCD, registration is not required to download it.

8. Run EasyBCD (free version).
NOTE: This is required to repair the Windows 7 boot file and add XP to the Windows Boot Manager list.

9. On the left side of EasyBCD, click on the Add New Entry button. (See screenshot below)
A) In the top section under Operating Systems, click on the Windows tab. (See screenshot below)
B) To the right of Type, select Windows NT/2k/XP/2k3 from the drop down menu. (See screenshot below)
:warn:WARNING: Be sure to leave the Automatically detect correct drive box checked.

C) To the right of Name, you can leave the default Microsoft Windows XP as the name to be displayed in the Windows Boot Manager, or you can type whatever name you would like to have instead. (See screenshot below)
D) Click on the Add Entry button. (See screenshot below)

10. On the left side of EasyBCD, click on the BCD Deployment button, select (dot) the Install the Windows Vista/7 bootloader to the MBR option, and click on the Write MBR button. (See screenshot below)

11. Close EasyBCD.

12. Restart the computer to have the option to boot from Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 7. (See screenshot below)

   Tip

If Windows 7 will not start up when selected, then use your Windows 7 installation DVD to do a Startup Repair.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Setup a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista
• How to Setup a Dual Boot Installation with Windows Vista and XP
• How to Do a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Dual Boot Windows 7 and Ubuntu
• How to Correctly Setup a Dual Boot with Windows 7 and LinuxMint13
• How to Change Time to Display Operating Systems at Boot in Windows 7
• How to Change the Listed OS Arrangement Order in Windows Boot Manager Screen
• How to Change the Default Operating System to Start in Windows 7
• How to Delete an Operating System Listed in Windows Boot Manager
• How to Change the OS Name in Windows Boot Manager
• How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7
• How to Install Windows 7 FAST without a DVD or USB Device
• Install Windows 7 Without Using Any External Device
• How to Setup Windows 7 to Boot from a VHD (Virtual Hard Disk)
• How to Create a Windows 7 VHD at Boot to Start with from Boot
• How to Do a Custom Installation of Windows 7
• How to Load SATA Drivers in Windows XP Setup on your Dual Boot PC with Vista or Windows 7
• How to Slipstream SATA drivers into Windows XP setup CD with Dual Boot of Windows 7 or Vista
• How to Load SATA Driver Using Shift+F10 to Open Command Prompt
• How to Recover a Partition Used by an Older OS in a Dual Boot
• How to Properly Delete a OS in a Dual Boot
• How to Stop System Restore Points from being Deleted in Vista and Windows 7 when Dual Booting with XP

 

[theog]

Theog - thanks for the quick reply!

1) Win xp is not happy using the Marvell controller, use the Intel.
Does this mean that I will need to disconnect my HD from the Marvell SATA connector on my motherboard, and plug it into one of the Intel SATA connectors?
Will that cause any problems with my current install of Windows7?

2) Win xp is not happy with more than 4gb of ram.
I am probably not going to take out RAM, so does that mean I should abandon trying a dual boot of XP? I read on one site that I should pull some RAM, install XP and then re-insert the RAM after the install is complete. Is that good advice? It seemed a little scary to me.

3) When slipstreaming the Intel drivers, best to add all the controllers,
using both setup inf files.
Thanks! I can give this a try. Should I avoid slipstreaming the Marvell drivers altogether and only slipstream the Intel drivers?

Thanks for the help!

1) yes, but you need to do a Startup Repair on Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html?ltr=S
Note: You may need to do startup repair 3 to 4 times.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

2) pull some RAM out, would be worth a try.

3) would be worth avoiding the Marvell drivers altogether

 

[MOE L]

dual boot with windows 7 and xp

hi your tutorial was really helpfull i only have a problem at the end. when i select windows 7 it works find but when i select windows xp it comes to a blank black screen and no massage. also when i insert the xp disk nothing happen.

please help.

 

[gregrocker]

Which Method in the tutorial did you use? Were all steps followed exactly?

Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Mgmt drive map with listings, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu. Tell us what's on each partition.

If you used EasyBCD 2.02, please also post a screenshot of its listings.

 

[MOE L]

windows 7 was install first and ai followed all the step to the end with no problem.

 

[MOE L]

i used easybcd 2.1

 

[gregrocker]

The drive is not showing correctly for XP in the EasyBCD listings.

What I would do is choose Easy's "Edit Boot Menu" tab then highlight and delete the XP listing.

Next choose Add New Entry tab and add XP with correct drive letter D as seen from Win7. Save and restart.

See if that helps.

 

[MOE L]

i done it but it still gives me the same problem

 

[MOE L]

here is the listing of easybcd after i done it

 

[gregrocker]

I'd run a Repair Install on XP, or reinstall it.

Then start Win7 by marking it Active in XP Disk Mgmt, booting Win7 DVD Repair Console or Repair CD to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots until Win7 starts on its own.

Then add XP from Win7 using EasyBCD 2.02.

Have you tried installing your XP programs to Win7 using Compatibility Mode or virtualizing XP in Win7 using VirtualBox, VirtualPlayer, or VMWare freeware? A lot easier.

 

[ShadowMario3]

Just wanted to say thanks for the tutorial, Brink! I used it back in November when I needed it install XP as a Dual Boot along with the Windows 7 that was already in there.

I have an Acer Aspire 5732Z, so I couldn't (and still can't) load XP (and the boot disk) right off the bat, since I needed to change the BIOS setting from AHCI to IDE (and have to switch to AHCI for 7). After I installed XP, try as I could with VistaBootPRO, I couldn't get the Boot Manager to show up, and it was problematic since my laptop didn't come with a Windows 7 installation disk. Luckily, I just went to the Boot Menu and picked "Boot from Hard Drive", and just like that, Windows 7 was able to load. Then, I was able to use VistaBootPRO to set up the Boot Screen.

 

[Brink]

Hello Mario,

Thank you for posting back with your results and solution. It's this and what others have helped in this thread with that helps keep this tutorial updated to prevent getting and solving the most common and latest issues.

 

[Wood]

1) yes, but you need to do a Startup Repair on Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html?ltr=S
Note: You may need to do startup repair 3 to 4 times.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

2) pull some RAM out, would be worth a try.

3) would be worth avoiding the Marvell drivers altogether

Thanks for the help Theog. It seemed a little sketchy to continue with XP, so I returned it, got Vista and installed Vista Ultimate 64 in about 20 minutes.

I don't like Vista as much as I like XP, but it will work for my purposes.

Thanks again!

 

[theog]

Just wanted to say thanks for the tutorial, Brink! I used it back in November when I needed it install XP as a Dual Boot along with the Windows 7 that was already in there.

I have an Acer Aspire 5732Z, so I couldn't (and still can't) load XP (and the boot disk) right off the bat, since I needed to change the BIOS setting from AHCI to IDE (and have to switch to AHCI for 7). After I installed XP, try as I could with VistaBootPRO, I couldn't get the Boot Manager to show up, and it was problematic since my laptop didn't come with a Windows 7 installation disk. Luckily, I just went to the Boot Menu and picked "Boot from Hard Drive", and just like that, Windows 7 was able to load. Then, I was able to use VistaBootPRO to set up the Boot Screen.

No need to play with BIOS, set to AHCI, than load the Sata controller drivers at F6

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/66010-sata-drivers-load-windows-xp-setup-dual-boot.html
OR
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72185-sata-drivers-slipstream-into-windows-xp-cd.html

 

[syr]

Great Tutorial

very nice tutorial...

but despite of that I would apreciate any help, because the selection of operating systems doesnt show up but the OS directly boots (OS from the drive which is on highest boot order)

I followed "Method2 : When Windows 7 is Installed First" but could just start at point 7 because I still got winXP(64) and win7(64) installed each on a separate drive far before I found this great tutorial.

In BCD (in Win7) I tried auto drive selection and manual selection using the CORRECT drive letter. And yes, I also always wrote it to MBR with the certain button.


But operating systems list doesnt show up on booting.
Therefore I followed the hint before Point 7 where I booted from win7-Disc with only the winXP-hdd connected. After the initial search for installed OS the list kept empty. Think that's the origin of the problem but dont know how to get it working.
Nevertheless I continued executing the commands

• bootrec /FixMbr
• bootrec /FixBoot
• bootrec /RebuildBcd

Sadly that didnt change a thing.

Could please anyone give me a guess pleeeaase
on how to get the OS-selection show up?



SORRY if this questions was still asked....but this thread i really huge to get through

 

[gregrocker]

Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Management drive map with listings using the Snipping Tool in Start Menu.

If you've recovered Win7's ability to boot itself when set first to boot in BIOS, then you may want to keep it set first and use the BIOS boot which keeps the HD's independent to come and go as you please. Then when you want XP use the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key:
Asus - F8
HP/Compaq - Esc
Sony - F2
Acer - F12
Gateway - F10
eMachnes - F10
Toshiba - F12
Dell - F12
IBM/Lenovo - the blue Thinkvantage button

Creating the Windows-managed Dual Boot interlocks the HD's requiring major surgery to remove Win7 until you've recovered to it its own boot files.

Let us know which you prefer and based on the screenshot we will give you the steps.

 

[syr]

Wow...thanks for that quick reply..

my DriveManagement looks like this:

http://filerepos.de/temp/privat/drivemgmt.PNG

232 gb -> win xp 64
1862 gb -> win7 64

So you say I can set win7 as first boot in bios and with the
"one-time BIOS Boot Menu key" i can tell bios to boot from xp, right?

I just googled how to do this with my MSI-board but didnt find useful information.
Board Details: http://www.msi.com/product/mb/K9N6PGM2-V.html#?div=CPUSupport

Now I would need next steps on how to get "one-time BIOS Boot Menu key" working.


BTW: I must admit I dont really understand that (because english is not my first language):

"Creating the Windows-managed Dual Boot interlocks the HD's requiring major surgery to remove Win7 until you've recovered to it its own boot files."


Thanks for your kind help


EDIT: ouch...just found an answer...from you ..in this forum..so the key is F11 for MSI
I try it..


EDIT2: nice..that works....so I can let the independent drives as they are without any further software or messing around with mbr and so one...THANKS

 

[gregrocker]

You're welcome. Let us know how you like that method.

 

[ShadowMario3]

No need to play with BIOS, set to AHCI, than load the Sata controller drivers at F6

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/66010-sata-drivers-load-windows-xp-setup-dual-boot.html
OR
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72185-sata-drivers-slipstream-into-windows-xp-cd.html

Problem is, I'm using a laptop, which has no floppy drive, and I don't have a USB one. The problem with my laptop (Acer Aspire 5732Z-4598) is when I try to load any pre-Vista installation disk in AHCI mode, it blue screens once it's done loading the preliminary files. Also, for some reason, when I load XP in any desktop/laptop, pressing F6 doesn't work for me at all, which is somewhat annoying.

EDIT: Hmm, it seems to have worked now. I'll try slipstreaming the drivers to the installation CD. Hopefully that will work.

 

[theog]

No need to play with BIOS, set to AHCI, than load the Sata controller drivers at F6

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/66010-sata-drivers-load-windows-xp-setup-dual-boot.html
OR
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/72185-sata-drivers-slipstream-into-windows-xp-cd.html

Problem is, I'm using a laptop, which has no floppy drive, and I don't have a USB one. The problem with my laptop (Acer Aspire 5732Z-4598) is when I try to load any pre-Vista installation disk in AHCI mode, it blue screens once it's done loading the preliminary files. Also, for some reason, when I load XP in any desktop/laptop, pressing F6 doesn't work for me at all, which is somewhat annoying.

EDIT: Hmm, it seems to have worked now. I'll try slipstreaming the drivers to the installation CD. Hopefully that will work.

As i said, no need to play in the BIOS.
Reset the BIOS to default, Acer Recovery disk will work.
Than try installing Win XP.

 

[ShadowMario3]

As i said, no need to play in the BIOS.
Reset the BIOS to default, Acer Recovery disk will work.
Than try installing Win XP.

Eh, I tried. I left the BIOS the same as it was at first, and made slipstreamed the SATA drivers to the installation CD. Just wasn't recognized at all. Maybe Acer just doesn't have them directly for XP, since they only have one SATA driver download there...

EDIT: Scratch that. FINALLY found the correct SATA controller drivers and were able to slipstream them into the installation disk, and it doesn't blue screen anymore! Will install XP tomorrow.