Dual-Booting Windows 7 Alongside Windows Vista or Windows XP

1 Comment 09 January 2009

If you’ve managed to get your grubby little hands on the recently-launched Windows 7 beta, there’s a good chance you’re pretty anxious to give it a test run. In my opinion, one of the best ways to test is through either Virtual PC or VMWare. If, however, you want to want to test it on genuine hardware but aren’t quite ready to reformat your hard drive, you can always try dual-booting. It’s really pretty easy.

First, you’ll want to create a new partition (research it… know the risks) onto which we would install the new operating system. Then, boot off of the disc as usual and install it onto your new partition (again, know the risks.)

There are a few ways to accomplish that first task… creating a new partition. My preferred method (mainly because it’s easier, not because it’s safer… yeah, I’m one of those people) is using a free utility by the name of EASEUS Partition Manager. Below is a quick video tutorial (no audio so feel free to play immediately) guiding you through the extremely quick process of using EASEUS to create your new partition.

BE SURE TO BACKUP YOUR DATA BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS PROCESS. I’ve personally used this tool twice with no problems but I’m also using both Mozy and Syncplicity to backup every last bit of my data.

If you can’t see the above video, just follow these directions:

install EASEUS
select an existing partition from which you’d like to take available space; resize said partition
select the new unallocated space and click “create” to create a new partition
name it and then click “apply” to finish (restart is necessary)

That’s it! Less than five steps. Again, you’ll want to make sure your data is backed up before attempting this procedure.

Once we’ve got your new partition, slap the Windows 7 installation disc you’ve created into your CD/DVD tray and restart. Once the installation loads, just tell Windows 7 to install into your newly created partition. A half-hour or more later, Windows 7 will be installed alongside your existing Windows installation.

Upon booting up your PC from here on out, you’ll be greeted with a new boot option from which you can select your new or existing Windows installation.

It’s pretty easy, actually. If you have any questions, feel free to drop a line in the comments and if I’m unable to answer your question, some of the other readers of this site might be able to. Best of luck!