How to dual boot Windows XP and Windows 7 (XP installed first)

Daren (New user):

Microsoft currently does not have an upgrade path from XP to Windows 7. They will not have an upgrade path in the future. They do have the ability to run XP within Windows 7, but that requires Virtualization Processors which many people who still have XP do not have. Windows 7 has the ability to mount VHD drives, but only within the OS. If you want to boot into Windows 7 and Continue to Use XP as a choice with the least configuration issue, the least changes to your computer and be able to reverse those changes without any issue, the Portlock Leap Frog is the best and easiest way to do so.

The Big Baboo (Regular user):

Quoting Daren:
Microsoft currently does not have an upgrade path from XP to Windows 7.

Damn:( That really stuffs me up doesn't it.One of the things I was really looking forward to in my later years was running a virtual copy of Win7 from within XP :'( Guess I'll just have to go and play with Linux now :)

Daren (New user):

Why must you run Windows 7 within XP? For that you will need some kind of virtual machine. Why would you change from wanting to use XP with Windows 7 to just using Linux as an alternative? Why not set up dual boot with XP and Windows 7 using a product like Portlock Leap Frog? You would still be able to transfer files between the two operating systems.

The Big Baboo (Regular user):

Quoting Daren:
Why must you run Windows 7 within XP?
Actually "Daren" I have no intention of ever running another new Microsoft OS on this computer ever again.At The moment I have WinXP plus Ubuntu 9.10 and as soon as I can sort out a few more small problems with "The Penguin" it's bye,bye Windows forever. As for transferring files over between the two,apart from actual "Windows Program Files" which are on C:/ all my stuff is on external drives and can be accessed by whatever system I want:)
Oooooooo yea and besides :) Why should I outlay $45AUD for a piece of software that I think would be of very small use to me."Leapfrog" my foot:) They must think I fell out of the woodwork :)

Sanjaycelos (New user):

How to dual boot windows7 and Linux (Windows7 installed first)

milutin (New user):

hi... sorry for my bad english...
I have windows xp, and i installed win7 later, and now xp won't work! when i turn on my computer win7 is open automatic. what can i do with this? And is there any solution how can i save my windows xp, which is already installed?
txn... :)

radegonda (New user):

yes. Read Radegonda's solution when scrolling up.
cheers.

PS: there is NO EASY way, yuou need to understand some things about your system or at least have some experience to be able to solve it !

tageb (New user):

You explain how to remove Windows 7, but more likely I want to remove XP after a while, and delete its partition. How do I then get a clean Windows 7 without any boot programs?

lasertom (New user):

Quoting tageb:
I want to remove XP after a while, and delete its partition. How do I then get a clean Windows 7 without any boot programs?


If you delete the XP partition, which is the System partition, then YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO BOOT WINDOWS 7 because the XP partition contains part of the boot process.

There must be some way to make Windows 7 the System partition but I've not figured it out yet. In the meantime Don't delete XP partition if it was active when you installed W7.

Davidh345 (New user):

Actually I want to run winxppro on one hard drive my old system and windows 7 on a new drive, i ran using easybcd 1.7.2 but xp would not boot only if i F12 and selected it???? my email is fishpole@tpg.com.au
thanks David H.

raghav (New user):

i want to run xp and winows 7 . With windows 7 installed first

KGB49 (New user):

Hello
I was wondering if you can advise me what to do.
I followed the steps to dual boot having WinXP pro installed first and the Window 7 Ultimate on my Dell laptop. I did also installed EasyBCD on windows 7 because my Windows XP DO NOT LOAD. I get the option to select EARLIER VERSION but it end up in blackscreen.

Below is what I got from easy BDC;

There are a total of 2 entries listed in the Vista Bootloader.
Bootloader Timeout: 30 seconds.
Default OS: Earlier Version of Windows

Entry #1

Name: Earlier Version of Windows
BCD ID: {ntldr}
Drive: D:\
Bootloader Path: \ntldr

Entry #2

Name: Windows 7
BCD ID: {current}
Drive: C:\
Bootloader Path: \Windows\system32\winload.exe
Windows Directory: \Windows

I really don't know what to do next. Can anyone advise me. My addy for msn is do_g@hotmail.com if that can help.

I decided to venture myself into this after reading your article and find quite easy...but i got myself screwed into something i'm not sure of anymore.

Can you advise me?

I did check on D: drive where XP sits, and I was not able to find any boot.ini file. (the search is done from Win 7 on C:).

if you can email me at the same your reply this it will be appreciated.
My email is do_g007@yahoo.com

thank you.

KGB49 (New user):

Help please.

I follow the steps above and got into some kind of trouble i can 't figure what to do to fix it.

I have a Dell laptop already had Windows XP installed. I did shrink my C: drive to install Windows 7, all went well...excepted I can't boot in to Windows XP. I can easily boot in to Windows XP. Once I installed the EasyBDC, it turns out all is good from the view settings. See below i paste what it displays from the "detailled view" of the boot loader.

There are a total of 2 entries listed in the Vista Bootloader.
Bootloader Timeout: 30 seconds.
Default OS: Earlier Version of Windows

Entry #1

Name: Earlier Version of Windows
BCD ID: {ntldr}
Drive: D:\
Bootloader Path: \ntldr

Entry #2

Name: Windows 7
BCD ID: {current}
Drive: C:\
Bootloader Path: \Windows\system32\winload.exe
Windows Directory: \Windows


As you can see, Windows XP is on D:
I did a search on D: for boot.ini can't find any.
I did download from the net a boot.ini and ntldr to copy on C: drive.
but would like to see what you will advise me ? or can you mail or post a boot.ini on this site ?

You can catch me on msn at do_g@hotmail.com

thanks for your troubel.

radegonda (New user):

Did you try my sollution (see Radegonda) above ?
the sollution is to modify stuff in the REGISTRY from XP !!
(You can boot win7 ? then you can load HIVES from XP's Regitry and modify the right parts)

Good luck !
Radegonda