How to dual boot Windows 7 and Windows 8 OS

Posted Date: 15-Sep-2011	Category: Windows 8 News
Author: Varun Kumar	Member Level: Gold	Points: 40

In this article, I will explain the the detailed step by step procedure on how to install Windows 8 OS alongside with Windows 7 operating system. Follow the instructions mentioned in the article to dual boot Windows 8 and Windows 7.

As far now, many of you might downloaded and installed Windows 8 OS on virtual machines and you might be busy in testing the new Windows 8 operating system. Yesterday, myself installed and tested Windows 8 in VMware Workstation 8. I successfully installed Windows 8 in the VMware workstation but, till evening I am unable to use any App in Windows 8operating system. In the evening, I figured out the problem and it is due to not installing the VMware Tools in VMware Workstation 8.

After installing the VMware tools, I am able to use all the Apps in Windows 8 operating system. The best features of Windows 8 areMetro interface and Apps. As I tested Windows 8, I want to try it with Windows 7. I want to dual boot Windows 8 operating system with Windows 7. For those, who want to dual boot both Windows 7 and Windows 8, follow the below mentioned procedure and enjoy both Windows 8 and Windows 7 in your machines.

Steps to dual boot Windows 7 and Windows 8

As per Microsoft, Windows 8 operating system requires a clean installation and users can't install it over Windows 7 operating system. By default, Windows 8 is set to install on C drive. However, one can easily install both Windows 7 and Windows 8 side by side by following the procedure mentioned below.

1) Download Windows 8 OS from the Microsoft site.

2) If you want to boot with DVD, you can Burn the Windows 8 ISO.

3) If you want to install from a USB drive, you can install Windows 8 from a USB drive.

4) You have to create a new partition "D" on your hard drive. You can do it by using Disk Management in Windows 7 OS. To create a fresh partition, select the old partition "C", and shrink the "C" volume by leaving a free space of minimum 20GB for Windows 8.

5) Insert the Windows 8 DVD or bootable USB drive and make the system to boot with respective drives.

6) When you started booting Windows 8, you will get a message "Press any key to start", do that and wait till Setup loads files.

7) After few seconds, you will get a "Install Windows" screen. Choose the language, Keyboard and time. Then accept the license agreement.

8) Now, select the Custom (advanced) option. Select the newly created partition "D" or any other partition, except "C". If you select "C", your Windows 7 OS will be wiped out.

9) Go to "Drive options" and format the newly created drive.

10) Click "Next" and wait till the installation get completed. Once the installation is completed, it will restarts and you can notice a Graphical bootloader with the option to choose an operating system.

11) Now, you can choose to boot with "Windows Developer Preview" or "Windows 7" operating system. By default, Windows 8 is set to boot first, if you don't select any OS with in 30seconds.

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How to dual boot Windows 7 and Windows 8 OS

Steps to dual boot Windows 7 and Windows 8

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