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

 

[Arrow123]

C is the active drive. I cant find these files even with all hidden files shown.

 

[SIW2]

IS XP on the first partition?

If so, d/l this, extract the zip - put the 3 files ( not the folder) directly onto the Active partition.

View attachment xpbootfiles_DISK0_PART1.zip

 

[icetea]

I have windows 7 installed and want to install windows xp onto another partition. But after it copies the setup files and restarts the only thing that happens is the error msg "error loading os" pops up and im not able to boot back into windows 7.

 

[acheron]

Is there any way to select a default option, and only have the choice between XP and 7 come up when I want it to?

 

[Brink]

Hello Acheron, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Sure, while in Windows 7, you can set whatever OS you would like to be started up in automatically.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2282-default-operating-system-change-default-boot-os.html

Afterwards, you can adjust the time you want to have the OS choice to be displayed for, or not at all.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2285-operating-system-start-change-display-list-time.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[acheron]

Many thanks Shawn, awesome guides!

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Acheron.

 

[Dzejhou]

Similiar problem as Icetea.After completing the installation of XP(six step) and restart , it writes something like error reading disc.You can't even boot to windows 7(but after repair they work again).I don't know what I did wrong.Can you help me please?I'd like to have both OS.(sorry for bad english)

 

[emerica243]

Alright i hope someone can help me here. Because i cant get anywhere.

I have 2 drives in my system, Drive1 and Drive2. On the one drive i made 3 partitions, so i can install xp32/xp64 and win764. I started off with XP32, it installed fine, Then i moved onto XP64, it installed fine when rebooting, the boot list showed both operating system and they both worked. Then i moved onto Win7, assuming it would od the same thing, detect both operating systems and add them to the list. Well it didnt, so i found this great tutorial here, i just cant get it to work. I followed the EasyBCD tutorial but cant get it to work. Any help or steps is appreciated. When i boot into Win7, C: is the win7 drive, D is my Drive2, E is XP64 and F is XP32

 

[SIW2]

Hi emerica,

Please post a screenshot of Disk Management window.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-how-post-screenshot-seven-forums.html

 

[time sheep]

Well, i would go to the recovery console and do the following:

FIXMBR
FIXBOOT

Then exit out, it helped me like twice. I'm just afraid that it will only clear out all other OS'es from the boot manager.

Something i have learned from a few years of dualbooting any OS i can get in my hand: As long as you are only dual-booting with Windows, you should start out by installing the oldes OS first, because you will always get the bootmanager done as the last thing.

If you're using Linux you should just use GRUB, you can edit your GRUB options from within your OS, and you can do whatever you want to with it, compared to Windows, which locks off some options (Usually the ones i need to use)
But yeah, if you got so much trouble with the Windows bootloader, you can install a tiny tiny Linux on a tiny partition, so you get the bootloader from there.

Besides it takes some time to get used to having your disks/partitions called hda0 hda1 hda2 etc. I spent quite much time figuring which of these were my primary partition (After some time i realized that SCSI disks aren't called hda)

 

[bathsheba666]

Tangled Web woven...

Hi,

I seem to have got myself stuck.

A few weeks ago I installed XP on a new PC.
I was aware that 7 was coming along, so I created 3 primary partitions, and one extended partition holding drives d:, e:, f: and so on.

I installed XP, which went on the first primary partition.

Today I installed 7, selecting the second primary partition for it.

Having removed the 'boot from dvd' option from bios, I found that XP loaded automatically, with no options.

I managed to find the boot.ini file, and tried to add a second entry to specify the Win7 partition.

>>
However, although it could load XP successfully, if I tried the Win7 option I got a 'corrupt ntoskrnl' message.
>>

I saw some advice saying that you could only successfully boot xp from 7, and not the other way around.

So, I went into Disk Management in XP, and made the second partition active. (Hoping the second primary partition would now become the c: drive, and Win7 could boot as default).

>>
However, now when I boot from harddrive I get 'Bootmgr not found' error.
>>

I have since run a repair option from the Win7 DVD as boot device.

However I am now stuck.
Current situation:

1)
I can only run Win7 by booting from DVD.
It asks me my password and runs ok

2)
I saw some comment about running repair installation 3 times for Win7, but I no longer see that option on booting from the DVD

3)
I managed to find DiskManagement in Win 7, so I could make the first primary partition active again - so I can get back to XP boot ok.

4)
I don't know if my understanding about primary partitions is out of date.
I thought an advantage of swapping primary partitions is that XP and Win7 do not see each other, and therefore cannot overwrite or corrupt each other. Whichever partition is active, that is the only c: drive in town...

However, I noticed when in disk management in 7, that Win7 was aware of the XP primary partition, and had for whatever reason given it a drive letter d: ?
I don't particularly want this to happen, so is there any way around it?


5)
Any suggestions gratefully accepted...
Reinstalling 7 would be no problem, as all I have loaded is a graphics driver.

thanks

 

[emerica243]

I got my installation working now. Thanks to EasyBCD 2.0 BETA 64. It automatically does it all for you creating the boot.ini and such for your xp installations, which was my problem.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello bathsheba666, welcome to Seven Forums!



Here's what I would do ...

1) Install windows 7 on the first partition.

2) Install XP to the second partition.

3) Do a 'repair' on 7 with the 7 disk so you'll have both options at boot time.


Please post back to tell us how it turns out.

 

[bathsheba666]

Hello bathsheba666, welcome to Seven Forums!

Here's what I would do ...

1) Install windows 7 on the first partition.

2) Install XP to the second partition.

3) Do a 'repair' on 7 with the 7 disk so you'll have both options at boot time.


Please post back to tell us how it turns out.

Hi Bare Foot Kid,

Thanks for the welcome and suggestion.

I am slightly hesitant to reinstall XP elsewhere, as I already have installed licenced software, and not sure (from ignorance) whether the built in validation checks will choke on the new arrangement when I reinstall and revalidate it.


However, it seems to me that before I rearrange partitions, I should make sure I understand them, and it seems I don't , or something has changed.

I used to think that - with primary partitions - only one could be active at any one time.
So an OS on one, could not possibly see an OS on the other.
Here that doesn't seem to be the case?

Am I supposed to have all partitions named and provided with a drive letter - in both OSs ?
Or am I confusing this with an ancient setup where the first partition consisted of nothing other than a boot option which decided which of the remaining two primaries became active, and therefore booted?

The partitions I have, I created on the disk as part of the XP installation.
could it be that 'partition' in Windows means something different from what I had in mind?



Lastly, going back to your suggestion, would it be possible to get a utility to copy my XP installation from the first to the second partition?
and therefore hang on to existing installations and existing licences?
I imagine this might partly depend on the answer above about enabling one partition and disabling the other...

And the impression I get from all that has gone before is that there is a single boot record for the whole set of drives on the first partition of the first hard disk? would that be correct?

t&r

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I am slightly hesitant to reinstall XP elsewhere, as I already have installed licenced software, and not sure (from ignorance) whether the built in validation checks will choke on the new arrangement when I reinstall and revalidate it.

You should have no problems re-activating your XP on another partition on the same machine; if you choose to go that way.

However, it seems to me that before I rearrange partitions, I should make sure I understand them, and it seems I don't , or something has changed.

I used to think that - with primary partitions - only one could be active at any one time.
So an OS on one, could not possibly see an OS on the other.
Here that doesn't seem to be the case?

True, they can 'see' each other.

Am I supposed to have all partitions named and provided with a drive letter - in both OSs ?
Or am I confusing this with an ancient setup where the first partition consisted of nothing other than a boot option which decided which of the remaining two primaries became active, and therefore booted?

No, you can choose whether they 'see' each other by deleting the drive letter, i.e. for XP in 7 so 7 can't 'see' XP.

The partitions I have, I created on the disk as part of the XP installation.
could it be that 'partition' in Windows means something different from what I had in mind?
Lastly, going back to your suggestion, would it be possible to get a utility to copy my XP installation from the first to the second partition?
and therefore hang on to existing installations and existing licences?
I imagine this might partly depend on the answer above about enabling one partition and disabling the other...

Yes, you could use something like Acronis or Paragon to make a clone that can be used to image the OS to be used later.

And the impression I get from all that has gone before is that there is a single boot record for the whole set of drives on the first partition of the first hard disk? would
that be correct?
t&r

Installed as I suggest W 7 will take over the boot process.

 

[davidjohn610]

Thats how I have mine, 7 negotiates the dual boot better I feel. I had Xp installed first, then installed 7 (the second time around, first time the other way around did not go so well) From installing 7 second, it took over the boot selection and works well. Easily adjust times etc from the 7 interface. My dual boot PC is my house favorite now!

 

[robinbredin]

duel boot win 7 and xp

What it is, I was duel booting Vista and xp with no problems. However, I removed vista and installed Win 7, and I cannot get into XP. I tried to use easybcd in win 7, but it wont work. Has anybody got any ideas on how I can get to XP.

 

[SIW2]

Hi,

Post a screenshot of Disk Management window.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-how-post-screenshot-seven-forums.html

What it is, I was duel booting Vista and xp with no problems. However, I removed vista and installed Win 7, and I cannot get into XP. I tried to use easybcd in win 7, but it wont work. Has anybody got any ideas on how I can get to XP.

 

[robinbredin]

I think you mean this. My first time sending in a screen shot. Ps partition E has my XP on it.