Possible to dual boot windows 7 with windows 7?

[shaun166]

Hi guys, is it possible to dual boot windows 7 with windows 7? As my school software does not support 64bit os and i don't wish to downgrade my main os to 32bit(my laptop got 8gb ram). If possible is there any cons about it?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Shaun.


Yes it is possible but the same activation key cannot be used for both installs, each will have to have its own unique activation key for OS activation; this tutorial at the link below can be followed for the set-up and installation and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.


Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista

 

[shaun166]

Thanks. Sony provided me a 32bit windows 7 professional recovery media disc. I think it should work without anything key for activation?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

If an activation key isn't added and activated to the 'new' install it will only be usable for 30 days before it times-out and becomes usable.

 

[shaun166]

Oh ok! Is there any cons about having 2 windows 7 on different partition?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Oh ok! Is there any cons about having 2 windows 7 on different partition?

No.

 

[shaun166]

thanks for the ultra fast and clear reply you solved all my worries! THANKS A LOT!! )

 

[Esaias]

Pherhaps typing this in the wrong place but what the heck.

Is it possible to run a XP install and overwrite my W7 without deleting any programs etc?
Could i then dual boot W7 and XP (XP preinstalled) with the same product key as i used the first time i installed w7?

 

[gregrocker]

No it is not possible to in-place downgrade Win7 to XP. If you'd like to explain what you want to do better, start back at the Installation forum main page and click "New Thread"

 

[shaun166]

Erm guys the person told me that my os will crash if I dualboot both same windows 7 but different bits. Why?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Erm guys the person told me that my os will crash if I dualboot both same windows 7 but different bits. Why?

Why? Because "the person" doesn't have a clue what they're talking about.


This snip below is of the Windows dual/multi boot manager of all the different Operating Systems I had running on the same PC at one time, now who are you going to believe "the person" or what you see in this snip.

click to enlarge

​

 

[shaun166]

LOL. wow cool. The person is an IT engineer who helps to configure laptops. Hmm somehow he said it is not possible to do so. Should have shown him this and pwn him LOL.

 

[theog]

Your IT engineer is correct in he/she own way. As an odd few video card’s, add a different entry to the BIOS for each different OS. Only one entry can be made.

 

[fafhrd]

You can have several if you want and are licensed to do so - and you can overcome the primary partition limit now too with Windows 7 native VHD booting.

If you choose to boot your second and subsequent Windows 7's from VHDs, each can be a primary partition on it's own VHD, so you are only limited by the depth of your pocket.

 

[shaun166]

From what you all said it so it is not possible to do it on the normal way? ( get a windows 7 32 bit copy and install on the other partition and use easycbd etc...?)

 

[fafhrd]

It is possible - but be prepared - in case things go wrong.
Anyway, your school will have to accede to Microsoft's policy of trying to release as many 64-bit OEM licenses as it can to further alienate XP and 32-bit programs in general. They did it before with Windows 95 -> ME then XP, to wipe out the DOS user base and 16-bit programs, now it's all about getting everything 64-bit.

Looking around, 64-bit may be the end of the road - although 128-bit addressing has been used since the early 1960s, no commercial systems have fully embraced it - even modern supercomputing is firmly based on 64-bit processors.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

There's always this option to get 'around' the Primary partition limit.


System Reserved : Multi Boot from Logical Partitions