I am currently running windows 7 as the main OS and I also want to install windows xp as a dual boot. Do I have to choose which OS I want to start up? How can I create a new partition from windows 7 and windows xp? Is there a guide so I can follow the steps correctly in no time? Can you please help me on this? Thank you.
Microsoft's windows by default comes with a dual boot functionality. And you need to do is to install the other operating system in other drive rather using the same drive where actual OS is present. This way if you do it will allow you to go to what OS you want to load. During the system boots it will wait for 30 sec for user to choose which OS he want to load.
This way you can use it. Make sure you install your OS in other drive. This will solve your problem. You can install any OS as other OS rather choosing a windows xp.
1) Since you already had the windows 7 installed as your OS, the first thing you have to do is of course, to install the second OS which is windows XP.
2) After which, you can choose which OS you would like to use when you start your computer (the computer would ask you which you prefer). After installing windows XP, you have to create a partition between your two OS. To do this, you have to select/click “shrink the Windows 7 volume” in Disk Management by how many MB you prefer for the partition (do these in Windows 7 since it is installed first) and follow the procedures that it is asking from you.
3) After successfully doing those, you have to insert the XP installation disk and restart your computer (when prompted, choose any key to boot). The CD/DVD drive should be selected FIRST in the boot order in the BIOS then press “enter”. Hit F8 then select the hard drive, using the arrow keys, to install what you want on XP and press “enter”.
4) Wait for the installation to finish.
5) Then, install “.Net Framework 2.0 (32-bit) version” in XP and “EasyBCD” after you finish installing the later.
6) After running the EasyBCD, hit “Add New Entry” button and follow these : (under) Operating System > Windows ) tab, (right) Type > Windows NT/2k/XP/2k3, (right) Name > “type whatever name you want” > Add Entry, (left)BCD Deployment > choose (dot) Install The Windows 7 bootloader to the MBR option > Write MBR.
After finishing all these steps, close the EasyBCD and restart the computer. That’s it, you are done.
