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

 

[xtian2383]

Hi Brink,

I have the same issue and I'm going nuts to find a resolution to this problem. Then I found your post and follow all the steps, and it works!
Let me say this, you're fu**ing awesome!

Thanks mate!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome xtian, and welcome to Seven Forums.

 

[edison]

windows 7

Hi I am trying to set up my pc to dual boot between XP & 7 useing two seperate hdds . My problem is that I boot up useing the 7 disc & then i select install. THe installation goes through what seems to be the installation processes & then is say it restart your pc. It to the windows is starting up & just sits there. nothing else happens. I did even get to the part where it asks for the registration # Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Frank (Edison)

 

[gregrocker]

Hi Frank -

Try unplugging the XP HD to install Win7 to its HD, which you should set to boot first in BIOS setup.

After install, plug back in the XP HD and boot it using the one-time BIOS BOot Menu key given on first boot screen.

Let us know if you have further problems installing Win7.

 

[JohnOfFloreat]

No floppy drive to install SATA drivers

Thank You
This guide looks pretty comprehensive.
But I have one question. It is quite clearly stated that I'd need to get my SATA drivers onto a floppy disk. The only drive I have is a CD/DVD. If I get the drivers onto a CD should that be a suitable alternative?
Ta
John

 

[Brink]

Hello John, and welcome to Seven Forums.

From the warning boxes in the METHOD TWO of the tutorial to slipstream the sata drivers into the Windows XP setup CD/DVD.

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

 

[Gomer]

Hi Gomer

Well done.
You are welcome, we are here 24/7.

Good Morning Everyone or Afternoon for you, Ray,
You're going to regret saying "here 24/7"

Unfortunately, I have been unable to lock myself in a room and stick to this dual boot until it is completely working, but it looks like I might have a couple days this week to pick at the problems.

I find that XP cannot connect to the internet. It can't find anything it needs hardware-wise, and I'm having a hard time wrapping my old mind around this with the conflicting ways and terms of the two programs. I'll try and give you some info:

I have DSL with a DLink router (cable-linked between the phone company's router, which didn't seem to give much coverage, and my computer). I have good internet connection between Win7 on this computer and the laptops around the house with 7. Here is a screenshot of 7's internet data on the left, and the Device Manager of XP on the right. Notice all the yellow ????


At this stage, I don't know what to look for or how to approach this, so I would appreciate some direction from one of you masterminds. Thanks muchly

 

[theog]

Hi Gomer

Well done.
You are welcome, we are here 24/7.

Good Morning Everyone or Afternoon for you, Ray,
You're going to regret saying "here 24/7"

Unfortunately, I have been unable to lock myself in a room and stick to this dual boot until it is completely working, but it looks like I might have a couple days this week to pick at the problems.

I find that XP cannot connect to the internet. It can't find anything it needs hardware-wise, and I'm having a hard time wrapping my old mind around this with the conflicting ways and terms of the two programs. I'll try and give you some info:

I have DSL with a DLink router (cable-linked between the phone company's router, which didn't seem to give much coverage, and my computer). I have good internet connection between Win7 on this computer and the laptops around the house with 7. Here is a screenshot of 7's internet data on the left, and the Device Manager of XP on the right. Notice all the yellow ????
View attachment 180594

At this stage, I don't know what to look for or how to approach this, so I would appreciate some direction from one of you masterminds. Thanks muchly

You need to go to the Dell website & download the Win XP drivers for model.
or
you may find them on Dell drivers CD.

 

[joeymork]

Followed this guide perfectly, but it didn't work. EasyBCD didn't like my system and therefore wouldn't work. Dual booting just isn't for me, I guess.

 

[gregrocker]

If you install WIn7 last it will configure the Dual Boot itself. Or use separate HD's and boot via BIOS.

 

[joeymork]

I have separate HD's, but no matter what I did, it wouldn't work. I've been working on this for a while now and no luck, it won't give me the dual boot option no matter how I go about installing windows. It boots into XP by default unless I manually select 7 from the drive list and that's not what I was going for. On top of that, EasyBCD wouldn't work at all on the XP HD. Installed it 3 times and It wouldn't work. I gave up. I'll just set up a secondary system and use InputDirector to use XP if I really need it that badly. This is a good guide, but simply wouldn't work on my system.

 

[gregrocker]

The cleanest method of Dual Booting with separate HD's is to set the preferred HD to boot first in BIOS setup, then when you want to boot the other OS choose it from the one-time BIOS Boot Menu. This keeps the HD's independent to come and go as you please, whereas a WIndows Dual Boot interlocks them.

So you already have a Dual Boot if you can boot this way. I'd set Win7 first HD to boot, then boot XP from drive list.

If this isn't satisfactory, did you try installing Easy to Win7 to add XP? It works better.

 

[joeymork]

I've tried all of that. Still no luck. I was only doing it to play a couple of games that won't work with 7, so I gave up. Not really worth the hassle.

 

[gregrocker]

Maybe I misunderstood you Joey. You said that if you choose Win7 from the drive list, it will start?

That's actually the cleanest way to Dual Boot. One is set to boot first in BIOS, the other is chosen from the drive list.

 

[edison]

Hi Frank -

Try unplugging the XP HD to install Win7 to its HD, which you should set to boot first in BIOS setup.

After install, plug back in the XP HD and boot it using the one-time BIOS BOot Menu key given on first boot screen.

Let us know if you have further problems installing Win7.

Ok tried what you suggested to no avail. A little more information. The problem occurs after the second reboot during installation. It will reboot the second time. The windows logo comes up & it says Starting windows. but all it does is just sit there with the above on the screen & wont go any farther. It doese not finish the install & I do not get to the point where it ask for product key. I ran the windows 7 compatability program & it says that my PC is compatable with 7 ultimate. My PC is a home built unit. I am running an AMD Athlon 64x2 dual core processor,4 gig memory & asus M2A-VM Graphics intergrated motherboard. I have a Nvidia GeForce 8400gs video card. I have read a lot about problem with Nvidia cards. I went to the nvidia site & found a driver for windows 7. But how can I install it on a blank hard drive before I install windows 7? I am to the point that when I boot up the PC doese give me a choice of which OS to boot into. If I chose old version it boots p just fine. If I chose windows 7 it gets to the logo screen saying windows is starting & just sits there. For what ever it is worth if I go back & boot into XP & go to my computor the new drive I installed foe windows 7 doese show a bunch of windows files on it. I hope this information helps.
Thanks Frank (edison)

 

[joeymork]

I never get the option to choose either one from a list. It will just boot into XP unless I go into the Bios and select which drive to start from each time. I can't set a boot first drive doing it this way as it will boot into XP no matter what unless I select the 7 drive from the Bios.

 

[gregrocker]

Most computers have a BIOS shortcut key also known as one-time BIOS Boot Menu, or BBS key. You can tap this key at boot to interrupt the boot sequence and choose the HD you want to boot. This is the cleanest method to Dual Boot with separate HD's: via the BIOS.

BIOS Boot menu keys

 

[edison]

Ok I am confused Could you guys please look at my last post #1554. I may have posted my problem in the worng place. My main problem is I cannot get windows 7 ultimate to complete the installation process. I am not having a problem getting the dual boot option to come up when I boot up the PC.

Frank (edison)

 

[gregrocker]

Frank -

You are trying install from the booted Win7 installer, both with XP drive connected and not? All peripherals and other HD's unplugged, Custom install using Drive Options to delete, repartition as desired and format before install?

Try running Win7 install from the XP desktop to Custom install to the second HD.

If this fails try wiping the Win7 HD: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Next try resetting the BIOS to optimal defaults. While in BIOS setup check the SATA controller setting.

Try removing all but 2gb RAM to try install. Test your RAM: RAM - Test with Memtest86+

 

[Tzar]

Help

Ok i did some thing just like this guild and i get the screen that ask what
os i want to boot to Win7 or WinXP is there a way to set it to default
boot to xp? I only have one HD i Partition it out in to two

Sorry it seems i want the exact opp set of every body else

Sorry for bad spelling!

[email protected]

Thanks Tzar