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

 

[voliotis89]

hey, i tried using your guide to install windows xp pro sp3 x86 having first on my system windows 7 pro x64,
i followed the guide everything installed, windows 7 working properly but when i try to boot into xp it doesn't
and it just restarts the computer any ideas as to what i should do?

 

[gregrocker]

Install EasyBCD to Win7, on Edit OS menu delete XP, reboot and then again in EasyBCD Add XP, accept offered boot files, save, reboot.

 

[colot]

good day and good nyt to everyone,,,,,

need help, ,

i hav my win xp sp3 as my 1st OS,. then i want to dual boot it w/ win7 64bit,..
i hav partition my hard disk "C:" as my xp os installed..... "D:" clean drive , , , and "F: for my backup files" . . . . .3partition for 1HD...

im follwing ur tutorial, in "Use a Separate Hard Disk Drive than XP Drive"... but
the problem that i hav been encountering is that, after clicking "Install Now" on step 4, it didn't go to step 5, but instead it looks for a Driver to be installed,,, screen shot attached.....

i hav 2 win7 32 and 64bit os installer. . . . .

can any 1 help me wid my problem,,,,? tnx ^_^

 

[gregrocker]

Where did you get Win7? Did you burn the DVD yourself. This often can be a problem with installer. Confirm the ISO, burn another DVD using ImgBurn at 4x speed, then if it repeats write to flash stick using Universal USB Installer with Win7 in dropdown menu. Boot stick under USB, Removable or HD's.

But Win7 also doesn't have all of the older iDE controller drivers, so once you confirm the installer, its burn, cross check it using USB flash, you may need to insert the IDE controller at Load Drivers link on Drive Selection Screen.

 

[colot]

i hav 2 installer here.... the 1st one(i burned it),, th other (i borrowed it fr my friend, he already used it)

my board: ECS G31T-M7
core2 cpu
2gig of ram

sir, how can i "insert the IDE controller at Load Drivers link on Drive Selection Screen." sorry for being n0ob. ^_^

 

[gregrocker]

SATA Drivers - Load in Windows XP Setup on Dual Boot

or if you don't have floppy support:
SATA Drivers - Slipstream into Windows XP CD

You can also try virtualizing XP from within Win7 using freeware like VMWare, Virtual Player or Virtual Box.

 

[mjl1297]

I have just installed Win 7 pro onto a separate SSD. I have Win xp Pro installed on a SATA drive of its own. I am having some issues and hope someone can help me. I am sure it is a simple settings thing but there is almost too much information out there and I want to be certain I am doing the right thing from the outset.

Before installing I upgraded the Mobo BIOS. All went well there. I set the storage mode to ACHI, enabled ACPI 2.0, and disconnected all other drives except the one I installed Win 7 (64 bit) to. I have Win 7 installed now and I can boot into it. Trouble is when I connect the drive with XP (32 bit) on it I get a BSOD. How can I remedy this? I have some other win 7 internet issues but first things first.

 

[gregrocker]

There is a procedure to change from IDE to AHCI mode.

To try it you'll need to unplug Win7, set XP HD first to boot in BIOS setup, change to IDE mode, Save Changes and exit BIOS, boot into XP and follow the steps here: Enable AHCI in Windows XP After Installation - Bootbeta

Afterwards plug back in the WIn7 HD, set it first to boot in BIOS setup, set SATA controller to AHCI, Save changes. To boot into XP, use the BIOS one-time boot menu given on first boot screen.

 

[mjl1297]

Thanks gregrocker. I will give that a go later. Time for bed now!

 

[mjl1297]

All is well with the dual boot. Got a driver issue now that I've posted elsewhere.

 

[MiffedMollusk]

I am trying to install XP pro on a second hard drive and followed method 2 to the letter. XP installed and then I had a problem with my computer booting anything so I fixed the boot record with my Win7 disc. Downloaded EasyBCD and followed the instructions as shown. When I restart, I will only load up Win7 without the boot menu coming up. I checked msconfig and there is nothing else other than Win7 on the boot list. Am I missing something?

I also have read that other people have disconnected their primary HD (the one with Win7 installed) and installed XP on a secondary drive. After that was finished and everything working, they replugged in the Win7 drive and were able to have the dual boot. Is this a workable option?

 

[gregrocker]

Did XP ever boot? You don't say. When you added XP from WIn7 using Easy, did it offer boot files and confirm it is added? I would run EasyBCD again, delete XP on the Edit OS Menu tab, then only add it back if you choose not to go with the option below.

What you describe in the second paragraph is actually the best way to Dual Boot since it keeps the HD's independent to come and go as you please. In this case after XP install with Win7 unplugged, replug and set Win7 as first HD to boot in BIOS setup, then when needed boot XP using the one-time BIOS Boot menu key.

 

[MiffedMollusk]

XP never booted. When I ran EasyBCD, nothing happened when I clicked Add Entry, but I did see that XP shows up under the edit boot menu in Easy. Then I go to BCD Deployment and follow the steps in the tutorial. Every time I run Easy after reboot, the only OS that shows in the Edit boot menu is Win7. I can only guess this means that it didn't work. I am going to reformat my extra drive and try a clean install of XP after I disconnect my primary HD the next chance I get.

 

[gregrocker]

XP didn't install if it didn't start up. Did it see the HD to choose a partition? If so delete all partitions using CD to full format and new partition on the HD.

 

[mjl1297]

gregrocker I've read some posts that AHCI doesn't "play nice" on AMD boards and I'm using the M4N82 Deluxe board in this box. Any thoughts on that before I set down and install them in XP?

 

[gregrocker]

If you installed WIn7 in AHCI mode and your BIOS doesn't allow different SATA modes for each HD then you'll likely need to slipstream the drivers into the XP CD before it will install. SATA Drivers - Slipstream into Windows XP CD .

If you can choose a different SATA mode for the XP HD then choose IDE or Compatibility. Make sure you're using an XP SP3 installer for your version, retail or OEM specific.

This is why I asked if the XP install saw the partitions for install, because that would mean you don't need the SATA controller drivers.

 

[theog]

gregrocker I've read some posts that AHCI doesn't "play nice" on AMD boards and I'm using the M4N82 Deluxe board in this box. Any thoughts on that before I set down and install them in XP?

Are you using the right NVIDIA AHCI/SATA Driver for Windows XP.
ASUS - Motherboards- ASUS M4N82 Deluxe

 

[mjl1297]

Yes I am now anyway. I haven't installed it yet but I will give it a go later.

I was wondering if if I have to update the driver for every serial ATA controller that shows in my device manager (if there are more than one)?

 

[MiffedMollusk]

XP didn't install if it didn't start up. Did it see the HD to choose a partition? If so delete all partitions using CD to full format and new partition on the HD.

it did install. I reran EasyBCD and I wrote the BCD to both drives I have. I rebooted and it now works. I was only adding it to my Win7 HD as shown in the tutorial and it wasn't working, but after I did it to both the Win7 and XP drives, it worked. Not sure if it just decided to work on its own or if it was actually adding it to both drives through Win7.

 

[mjl1297]

gregrocker I've read some posts that AHCI doesn't "play nice" on AMD boards and I'm using the M4N82 Deluxe board in this box. Any thoughts on that before I set down and install them in XP?

Are you using the right NVIDIA AHCI/SATA Driver for Windows XP.
ASUS - Motherboards- ASUS M4N82 Deluxe

@theog Yes I am now anyway. I haven't installed it yet but I will give it a go later.

I was wondering if if I have to update the driver for every serial ATA controller that shows in my device manager (if there are more than one)?

Reposting since we have multiple conversations going on here and I REALLY need to get this question answered as there is nothing conclusive in any of the guides I've come across.