Solved Dualboot 2 Windows 7 installs

[Cyragia]

Hello,
Currently I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium x64.
I want to install a second copy of windows on a separate partition on the same drive.
I've searched the forum and found how to do it, but I'm wondering if the 2 partitions will be visible while booted in either of the OS's. So I can acces files from the install other install, regardless of which one is currently running.

 

[DavidE]

If the Other OS partition has a drive letter assigned in the Current (booted) OS, you can see files in the Other OS.
If you do not have a drive letter assigned for the Other OS, you won't see that partition in Explorer.
You will still see the partition in Disk Management...

Why do you want to access files from the Other OS?

This tutorial may help:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/82994-drive-letter-add-change-remove-windows-7-a.html

 

[Cyragia]

I want to acces both partitions from both OS's, because that way i don't need to have every file and program twice. I want to use the second OS to fool around (Virtual machines are NO option). And I want to acces my files without having to reboot constantly.

 

[DavidE]

Each OS will need to have programs installed in that OS.
i.e. You can't run CCleaner from OS-2 if it is only installed in OS-1.
It must be installed in each OS...

Personal data files can be better "shared" if you store your data files in a different partition than an OS partition.
That also allows for restoring or reinstalling a Windows OS partition without losing personal data.

 

[Cyragia]

True, but moving all my data to a seperate partition would be a big task.
And you can definitely run certain applications from a seperate partition/drive/... , I know you can't always do this, but for the apps i'll need it's possible.

 

[DavidE]

OK.
Then you just need a drive letter assigned for the Other OS.

 

[Cyragia]

Thanks!
Will the drive letters interfere between the 2 OS's or are they independent ?

 

[DavidE]

The OS you boot from should always be assigned as the "C" drive.
If you boot an OS and the OS partition is not "C", something is wrong.
You can assign whatever letter you want for the Other OS, without affecting drive letter assignments when the Other OS is booted.

 

[Cyragia]

Great, thank you very much for helping!

 

[DavidE]

You're welcome!

 

[theog]

You will need a second product key for the second install of Windows 7.

 

[Cyragia]

I know, and I've got one, so It's ok

 

[gregrocker]

You can also link the files from the other OS into the booted OS's related Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums.'

That way in Documents, for example, you'll see all Documents from both OS's in one window. If you want to drag one to the other OS you can do it there.

 

[Cyragia]

Good idea, Thanks!

 

[Faladu]

One tip, I would NOT use the same User name for both 7's to avoid confusion, if you are truly exposing all files to both.