How to Create a Multiboot System for Windows 7

[HappyAndyK]

To add Windows 7 to a system alongside an existing version of Window, you first need to make sure that you have an available partition (or unformatted disk space) separate from the partition that contains the system files for your current Windows installation.

The target partition can be a separate partition on the same physical disk, or it can be on a different hard disk. If your system contains a single disk with a single partition used as drive C, you cannot create a multiboot system unless you add a new disk or use software tools to shrink the existing partition and create a new partition from the free space. (The Windows 7 Disk Management console, Diskmgmt.msc, includes this capability; to shrink partitions on a system running an older Windows version, you’ll need third-party software.) The new partition does not need to be empty; however, it should not contain system files for another Windows installation. Run the setup program, choose the Custom (Advanced) option, and select the disk and partition you want to use for the new installation...

... And finally, how do you remove Windows 7 (or Windows Vista) from a dual-boot installation and restore the Windows XP boot loader? Insert the Windows 7 DVD and type the following command at a command prompt (substituting the letter of your DVD drive for d):

d:\boot\bootsect.exe /nt52 all

For the full tutorial visit Install Windows 7 alongside an older Windows OS for a Multiboot System

[seti]

Thanks for this informative post Andy

[leofelix]

Thank you HappyAndyK for posting this tip.
I think you are elegible to win the weekly contest

LOL

[nitinagarwal1988]

Thank you HappyAndyK for posting this tip.
I think you are elegible to win the weekly contest

LOL

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[zen67]

Dual-booting Windows 7 may violate the license

The crux of the matter lies in the following sentence in Windows 7's EULA:


"15. Upgrades. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is eligible for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from."

As soon as you install the upgrade version of Windows 7, Microsoft claims that your license for the existing version of Windows goes kaput and you may no longer use the software you upgraded from. While you can create a dual-boot system — heck, it's easy to do so, using the upgrade DVD — under a strict reading of the EULA, you aren't supposed to boot it up.

for a full reading go here

[Cithel]

Dual-booting Windows 7 may violate the license
for a full reading go here

Assuming you only have one license for XP and that you are using upgrade media. For those with only one license; you can always dual boot with the 90 day trial version of 7 to see if you like it. Or run it in a VM.

[seti]

Assuming you only have one license for XP and that you are using upgrade media. For those with only one license; you can always dual boot with the 90 day trial version of 7 to see if you like it. Or run it in a VM.

That is interesting to know for those who are thinking of doing the change. thank you

[mwr]

I already have a Win 7 (Home Premium) system and want to add three more boot partitions, for Vista, XP, and 2000. Does anyone know how to do that?

[StrayCat]

The logical way is to start with a formatted hard drive,create three partitions and install the in this order:
XP,Vista...and then 7.
Theoretically it can be done the other way around, but you will have to repair the Windows 7 boot loader with your Windows 7 DVD after installing XP,and once again after installing Vista.

[mwr]

But... I'm starting with a new HP laptop with Win 7 Home Premium already installed and running. Are you recommending that I reformat the C: drive and start from scratch? As far as I know, I don't have the ability to install Win 7 separately. No CD/DVD came with the computer.

The logical way is to start with a formatted hard drive,create three partitions and install the in this order:
XP,Vista...and then 7.
Theoretically it can be done the other way around, but you will have to repair the Windows 7 boot loader with your Windows 7 DVD after installing XP,and once again after installing Vista.