Hello,
I need some information. Is it possible to use multiple operating system on the same PC. If possible then will it affect the PC? How far the effects will be applied?
Is it beneficiary for the user? Please let me how it works and then give me some instruction about which operating system will be best for combination.
Dixon Chapman
Hi Dixon,
I will answer all your questions one by one:-
Is it possible to use multiple operating system on the same PC?
Yes, it is possible to install multiple operating systems on the same PC. This type of installation is known as "dual boot" configuration, where you can have multiple OS installed on the same PC. You can only use winxp, win Vista, win 7, Red hat Linux for dual boot configuration. Once you install multiple Microsoft OS on one PC you will get below screen wherein you can select the OS in which you want to boot your PC.
If possible then will it affect the PC?
From hardware point of view It will not affect the PC as only one operating system will be running at a time. From a software point of view you have to install all softwares individually in each operating system. For example:- If you have installed Microsoft office in windows XP then you have installed Microsoft office again in win7.
You cannot use one software in both operating systems. However, you can access the file other operation system from another in case of windows-windows configuration because Microsoft uses the same file system for its operating systems.
In case of windows-Linux configuration you cannot access anything from another operating system because both operating systems use a separate file system which are inaccessible to each other.
Is it beneficiary for the user?
Benefits:- Don't have to buy separate computer. For example :- If you are using windows XP and now you also want to work on windows 7 you don't have to buy a new machine for that. You can install windows 7 on the same machine.
Drawbacks: – You will be able to use only one operating system at a time. You will have to install all the software twice. Before making the Machine dual boot you have to check if the existing hardware is compatible with the operating system.
Please let me how it works?
The only difference in the working is that in a dual boot scenario you will get an "operating system selection menu" and once you select the desired operating system it will work like regular OS.
Instruction about which operating system will be best for combination?
Except server editions you can combine any operating system.
Windows XP (Home/professional) – Windows Vista (Home/professional/basic/ultimate) – Windows 7 (Home/professional/basic/ultimate)
Windows XP/vista/7 – Red hat Linux/CentOS/Ubuntu
Regards
Rahul Jadon
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Hi Dixon,
As previously said by others, you can install multiple OS in a single PC and they have also discussed the pros and cons of using multiple OS.
There is also one other option. Using a Virtual Machine.
The benefits:
Hope this helps.
