How can I have Windows 7 and 8.1 dual boot (8.1 1st installed)

[winuserd]

I have already seen steps to do this on this forum when Windows 7 is on the machine first but this does not fit my situation as I will soon convert my Windows 7 to Windows 8.1 (because I don't want it to be OEM any more so I can transfer my whole system over to a new pc in the future via image backup)

I also have a full version of Windows 7

Once I upgrade OEM Windows 7 to Windows 8.1, how can I used the full version of Windows 7 to create a dual boot?

Is upgrading Windows 7 to Windows 8.1 likely to cause any problems?

According to the test program the only issue is Skyrim won't work any more. And I saw online a Windows 8 driver for my printer.

PS I would want both operating systems to be on their own separate partition

FURTHER INFORMATION THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST

I tried upgrading Windows 7 OEM to Windows full version but it did not work so I reverted to my image backup to make my pc same as it was before.

So instead, I am wanting a dual boot with Windows 7 and 8.1.

Thanks for reading my post

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello and welcome winuserd have a look at this Dual Boot Installation - Windows 8 and Windows 7 or Vista it might give you an idea on what to do.
It is from the 8 forum's site (a sister site to this one) - might be an idea to join up to that as well I did and I upgraded my main laptop and the Sandy Bridge from 7 to 8 then 8.1 with just an upgrade disk (the 8.1 was a free download).

Having said that I have both the 8's running in 7 mode (look) using Classic Shell as I prefer the desktop look but they are certainly faster than my other 7 machines.

PS I forgot to say I cloned the 7 to new drives before I upgraded so that I can flip the old drive back in if things go south.

 

[theog]

I have already seen steps to do this on this forum when Windows 7 is on the machine first but this does not fit my situation as I will soon convert my Windows 7 to Windows 8.1 (because I don't want it to be OEM any more so I can transfer my whole system over to a new pc in the future via image backup)

You would need to upgrade using the Full version of Windows 8.
or

I also have a full version of Windows 7

upgrade your Windows 7 full version with Windows 8 upgrade.