The definitive dual-booting guide: Windows 7, Linux, Vista and XP step-by-step

Paul George (New user):

I was using Grub to boot XP and Linux, but this is much better.
Good article.

Nanoxy (User):

I like to say thanks to the APC.MAG. Because I'm running Ubuntu in my Vista PC. So I have dual boot Vista installed first and Ubuntu 8.04. Because of the step by step guide on how to I was able to dual boot Vista and Ubuntu., And Im very happy and everything went smoothly with no problem. Once again muchas gracias!!!

YF Liang (New user):

So, if I were to start with a blank PC, which would be your
preferred OS to install first? Install Windows (XP/Vista),
or Linux first? Thanks.

phillw (New user):

Put Windows on 1st, it's just easier that way !!

Rad (New user):

Can you do a guide on how to dual boot VISTA 32 and 64 bit or how to move from 32 to 64?

kitegeezer (New user):

Very nice.

can we move on to multi boot?


i have followed your instructions an now have dual boot with vista installed first

I want to go to multi boot - Visa installed first (xp installed second by your instructions) and ubuntu

in order vista xp linux (ubuntu)

phillw (New user):

As we always say in the UK, here's one we prepared earlier ..
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=991987

Those crazy people are up to about 4 O/S booting last time I checked !!!

Ken collins (New user):

I followed instructions in loading XP on to OS with Vista already installed inserted XP CD Install screen came on clicked Install this message came up "this program is blocked due to compatibility issues" because the OS on Computer is newer than XP How do I get past this?? Ken Collins

Pasquale (New user):

I havee a HP m9250f computer with Windows vista Premium installed. I want to install and dual boot Windows XP Professional. I have received instructions from HP on how to do this. I am able to partition my hard drive OK, but when I restart and try boot from my XP CD, the drive just spins for a few minutes and the system boots up normally with Vista. If I restart and hit the Escape key at the first blue screen, I then get the boot selection menu. I then choose the CD/DVD option, press any key to continue and I get the Windows Setup screen. The problem is, the partition option select screen that shoulod appear doesn't. Instead the software starts loading files and drivers. When this is finished a message appears saying that Windows is starting up. Then I get a screen that says Windows has been shut down because of potential damage to my system. There is no way to get out of this screen except to power off.

Riddla (New user):

can you triple boot xp,vista, and suse linux 10.0?

tenzin (New user):

i think you can. If you already have a dual boot configuration of xp-vista, then simply installing suse linux should get you the tri boot conf.

Riddla (New user):

Edit: double post of above

dromonbylad (New user):

How about a gude on how to triple boot XP, Vista and Linux(Ubuntu). I have a new Vista Ultimate 64bit PC and wish to add XP (for older games and support for my old film scanner) as well as try Ubuntu linux. I can start with a clean hard drive.

kitegeezer (New user):

Still no step by step for tripple boot?

aubie8 (New user):

i tried this. when i did the "SHRINK" command. It shrank the volume by 90ish GB. But now, I don't have another partition with that extra space. Its gone. What should I do now?

dollymop (New user):

how about a dual boot win 2K pro installed and win XP pro

pilot (New user):

I managed to get Ubuntu 8.04 and Vista Home Premium running and dual booting for about 2 weeks. The grub bootloader would ask which Operating System to boot and it would default to Ubuntu which is fine. Then I tried to boot in Vista to no avail. I cannot even get vista to boot at all even in safe mode. Any help would be appreciated. Hardware is a Sony Vaio model VGNAR730E for what thats worth. Thanks in advance Pilot

izzy620 (New user):

Hey guys. Your blog helped me out so I just want to return the favor. I am currently running a triple boot of Vista Home Premium SP1, Windows XP SP3, and Ubuntu Linux. The way it boots is that upon startup the GRUB menu loads with three entries. Ubuntu, XP, and Vista. I think this is what you guys were looking for. If so let me know I'd be more than happy to write up a step-by-step.

kitegeezer (New user):

Hi Izzy,

I for one have been waiting for someone with (much) more know how than I have to do a step by step for exactly what you have done. I have a dual core AMD 500+ 4GB RAM with 32 bit home premium sp 1 and 32 bit XP SP3 using easy BCD, I'd like to add the 64bit version of Ubuntu. I can handle the drivers, but am clueless about changing over to Grub

Hansi (New user):

I should have read all posts before submitting mine. The only difference is that I am going to be using Vista Ult 64bit. In which order did you load? And, I'm assuming that there may be some differences between the Ult 64 load and the Home Premium; not sure about that and was wondering if you might know?

Thanks!

lambda (New user):

Hi Izzy,
It's good to know that somebody like you has done the triple boot already. I have a machine that dual boots Vista Business and Ubuntu 8.04 and would like to add XP3 into it. Can you please share how you successfully did the triple boot (Vista, XP, and Ubuntu)? Would appreciate a step-by-step guide when you get a chance. Thanks!

izzy620 (New user):

definately sir. sorry i never got an email as to whether someone responded but i wll be sure to make it

millersnme (New user):

Tripple Boot... I used your guide and I got 3 os on one pc... Vista 1st. Then I installed SUSE then I installed UBUNTU and they all work great. I did find out the hard way you do not want to install SUSE last as it will wipe out your UBUNTU install.

Frosty (New user):

What about having XP and vista on 2 different HDs will this tut be the same? Is it then easier? Harder?

bartolomeus (New user):

Can you make a PAGE 7 "How to dual-boot Vista with XP and Linux (Vista installed first) -- the step-by-step guide with screenshots"

(I have vista preinstalled now, and want to have all 3 in grubs bootmenu)

hoebrechts (New user):

try linux

Hansi (New user):

This is exactly what I was looking for but would like to take it just a little further. Perhaps it's already been done; if so, sorry. I am in the process of building a new system but am going with Vista Ultimate 64. My previous system was running XP Pro and I was very happy with that OS. Since this will be my first venture with Vista Ult 64 I thought I'd go with a dual boot system. However, I have been very interested in wanting to try out Linux as well. Can a system be set up with all three on one partition or do multiple partitions be needed?

Thanks in advance!

ReneB (New user):

qw

ReneB (New user):

I've loaded 8.04 with XP (1st) according to instructions. On boot-up my pc defaults directly to XP - no choice. Can someone supply instructions to adjust this small problem?

tenzin (New user):

the answer is to modify the configuration in the grub menu.
use a live cd to boot linux, then go into /boot/grub then edit menu.lst
inside this file everything is pretty clearly described.
You can set the timeout for the menu in the third section.
You can also change the default os choice by replacing the number in second section to the number of line of your choice as it appears in the boot menu.hope this help!

tenzin (New user):

Any idea about the best way to tri-boot vista ,xp , and ubuntu.
I already have dual boot vista-32 and kubuntu-8.10 . What is the best way to add win xp.(i have two complications, i no longer have the vista DVD, and my hd is SATA. )

two4two (New user):

I have three HDDs, each attached to an add-in HDD controller card and not to the mobo. I'm keeping Win 98SE, which is the primary master on that card, and installed XP in a dual-boot setup on the primary slave on that card. The third drive is the secondary master on that card. I then installed Ubuntu onto the third HDD (but I had disconnected the other two drives before I did so). I wanted to use the Microsoft boot menu with the linux as a third available OS rather than have the grub menu with its one line pointing to Windows OS's which then navigates to the Microsoft menu. This is a two-tiered process and I'd rather keep a single process. I tried the trick of copying the master boot record (512 bytes) of the linux drive to a file on the "C" drive and then manually editing boot.ini to point to that file. It doesn't work. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that my "C" drive is FAT32? Also, it appears as though with linux the designation of drives attached to the mobo is different from those attached to an add-in card. Something to do with HD0, HD1, etc., vs SD0, SD1, etc.? Or I've read something about drive designation for add-in cards begin with HD4 or HD7 or something like that? I don't want to re-install Win XP (although I could do a repair install), and I certainly don't want to mess with the Win98 SE. Anyone have any experience with this setup where all three drives are on an add-in HD controller card and wanting to use the Microsoft boot.ini process instead of GRUB/two-tiered process?

tenzin (New user):

IMHO, copying the MBR hack is not that a great idea. If your primary OS is XP , why don't u use easyBCD. It has a good support for managing all boot thingies (windows,linux,etc). I have it on my system and i have vista on first partition, xp on third and Ubuntu on forth. You can see on one of the window which harddisk and which partition is visible and then you just select and mark as bootables.This boot manager will safely do all the modifying you need, and no need to mess around with boot.ini or NTLD or NTdetecxt.com.

And to the other tri boot seekers, i would love to contribute to the how to.I had to spend some days trying to avoid all kind of weird pitfall when i first set out to install xp and kubuntu on to my Vista. But this place is new to me and i am not sure where to post . he he

Peridot (New user):

How do i triple boot Vista, Linux and XP (with vista installed first)?

tenzin (New user):

to Peridot.
follow the instructions given in dual booting vista and xp first. Then depending on which distro of linux u plan to use, It would be as straight forward as booting off a live cd, and select install options. Most live cd will competently walk u through a multi boot setup in just few screens. I use kubuntu. The only thing i had to do was select the manual partition option, create appropriate partitons for linux(after xp has been installed with vista) and then let it do its job. It does a good job of detecting the other two windows and adds it to the boot menu( in my case it was grub).

Peridot (New user):

Thanks tenzin i will try as u said :)

jimf28 (New user):

I want to reinstall xp on my dual boot xp-vista setup
My XP needs to be reinstaled. I have a dual boot setup with XP installed first. each OS is on its own HD.

jimf28 (New user):

I have a dual boot xp/vista setup. Both OS are on seperate HD
The original setup was done with XP installed first.
The problem is I need to reinstall XP, how do I reinstall XP on a Dual Boot XP/Vista setup
thanks

vinod7779 (New user):

i installed linux(redhat)frist on my pc & i want to install vista can i follow the instuctions of dual-boot Vista with Linux is that sufficient to run dual boot succesfully on my pc??? please guide........mine is not Ubuntu 8.04.

vinod7779 (New user):

i installed linux(redhat)frist on my pc & i want to install vista can i follow the instuctions of dual-boot Vista with Linux is that sufficient to run dual boot succesfully on my pc??? please guide........mine is not Ubuntu 8.04.

Noremacnek (New user):

How can I use a second hard disk with XP already installed and working to dual boot on a Vista PC?

Denzie (New user):

i already have multi boot with vista and XP...like is it possible to install ubuntu on another partition? I partitioned the HD of my system to 3....kindly advise...thank you!

Denzie (New user):

hi! i already have XP and Vista on my machine...was thinking if its possible to add ubuntu on it.... kindly advise on this one. thank you!

tenzin (New user):

yes. just make sure to do the manual selection of the partition(which you had earmarked for ubuntu) when ubuntu asks you where to install.The minimun is two partition, one root, another swap.

mjl (New user):

Hi.

I'm a linux dabbler. I've tried various flavors of linux over the last half dozen years or so. The computer I'm intending to put kubunutu on is a shared computer running WinXP used by my family. We have lots of stuff on it that would be a tragedy to loose so I must be VERY careful not to damage anything when I install Kubuntu 8.10.

My question is; What does the option "use largest continuous free space" mean on the disk configurations portion of the install routine?

I put a new 500Gb drive in my computer a while ago and created a new Windows install on it in an 80Gb partition. I put one other 80Gb partition on it and have left the remainder of the disk unpartitioned - intending to put Linux in that space.

Is this unpartitioned space the space that the installation routine will use if I choose the option to use the Largest free space or will it try to use the largest unused space on existing partitions. The installation dialog is not clear.

I can't afford to screw this up so I would really appreciate some help.

Thanks!

mjl (New user):

Hi.

I'm a linux dabbler. I've tried various flavors of linux over the last half dozen years or so. The computer I'm intending to put kubunutu on is a shared computer running WinXP used by my family. We have lots of stuff on it that would be a tragedy to loose so I must be VERY careful not to damage anything when I install Kubuntu 8.10.

My question is; What does the option "use largest continuous free space" mean on the disk configurations portion of the install routine?

I put a new 500Gb drive in my computer a while ago and created a new Windows install on it in an 80Gb partition. I put one other 80Gb partition on it and have left the remainder of the disk unpartitioned - intending to put Linux in that space.

Is this unpartitioned space the space that the installation routine will use if I choose the option to use the Largest free space or will it try to use the largest unused space on existing partitions. The installation dialog is not clear.

I can't afford to screw this up so I would really appreciate some help.

Thanks!

tenzin (New user):

i am pretty sure it will use the largest portion of the hard disk(physical) irrespective of the partition. For eg. you have c and d, and d is empty,c is half full. If the portion of c that is empty happens to be one bordering the free partition , then it is thought to e contiguous, and will be used to create linux partition.If not, then only the d partition will be used. To be on the safe side, i always do a defrag on the windows partition so that all the data are compact and all the free space ends up in a continuous stretch at the end of the partition. Then, depending on how big my requirment is, i either resize the partion, or chose not to use that part.And then when installing linux, i do the manual partition so i can specify which part of the hard disk linux can use. Hope this helps.

Torgy (New user):

I feel like a grandma, I can't do this...I'm trying to put on Ubuntu to play around with and get a feel for Linux and such, but have minimal technical computer knowledge. I currently have Windows XP on my computer, normal everything. I need to figure out how to install the GRUB bootloader in order to do the easy steps, but nothing online can help, it is just assumed knowledge how to install. The GRUB manuals are also not much help. Can anyone out there help me?

Torgy (New user):

I feel like a grandma, I can't do this...I'm trying to put on Ubuntu to play around with and get a feel for Linux and such, but have minimal technical computer knowledge. I currently have Windows XP on my computer, normal everything. I need to figure out how to install the GRUB bootloader in order to do the easy steps, but nothing online can help, it is just assumed knowledge how to install. The GRUB manuals are also not much help. Can anyone out there help me?

oneemcme (New user):

Hi,
I want to setup a dual boot with RedHat or Oracle Linux with Vista already installed. Will these instructions work or would using a different Linux version be a totally different process? Thanks.

kashif (New user):

where are pics to learn

PacMan020 (New user):

When I try to install XP from disc it gives BSOD.

eri (New user):

I followed instructions in loading XP on to OS with Vista already installed inserted XP CD Install screen came on clicked Install this message came up "this program is blocked due to compatibility issues" because the OS on Computer is newer than XP How do I get past this

eri (New user):

I followed instructions in loading XP on to OS with Vista already installed inserted XP CD Install screen came on clicked Install this message came up "this program is blocked due to compatibility issues" because the OS on Computer is newer than XP How do I get past this

eri (New user):

I followed instructions in loading XP on to OS with Vista already installed inserted XP CD Install screen came on clicked Install this message came up "this program is blocked due to compatibility issues" because the OS on Computer is newer than XP How do I get past this

eagan53 (New user):

Hey guys- can you possibly do a page on how to dual-boot windows 7 and vista (Windows 7 installed first) ?

eagan53 (New user):

Here's my question- can you post a page on how to do dual-boot Windows 7 and Vista (Windows 7 installed first) ? that'd be fantastic.

jay99 (New user):

Please do email me @ jaysonronellramos@yahoo.com
how about installed windows 7 beta first, is there a way i could work on with xp ultimate-windows 7 beta dual boot

hannulon (New user):

Hi!

I have trying make dual-boot Windows 7 and Linux (Ubuntu 9.04) - Linux installed first - without success. You don't have such How to.. guide?
I have tried to use Vista with Linux guide, but it does not work.

Regards
Hannu Lönnroth
hannu.lonnroth@gmail.com

hannulon (New user):

Hi!

I have trying make dual-boot Windows 7 and Linux (Ubuntu 9.04) - Linux installed first - without success. You don't have such How to.. guide?
I have tried to use Vista with Linux guide, but it does not work.

Regards
Hannu Lönnroth
hannu.lonnroth@gmail.com

rupesh (New user):

pls send me notes

JerryHootGib (New user):

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

d2leo (New user):

I have an HP pavilion that had Vista home on it. I had Ubuntu on a separate partition and dual boot using grub. I recently installed Windows 7 Ultimate over my Vista home partition and lost my grub loader any suggestions to regain my Ubuntu dual boot?

Phil

Sujith (New user):

How to create dual boot with two Windows XP OS only ?Is a specific setting available for the same.

Sujith (New user):

How to create dual boot with two Windows XP OS only ?Is a specific setting available for the same.

sobitthen (New user):

if you have a dual boot already, an XP and Vista and would like to modify that to Win7 and Vista, can the XP be over written if it is on the C: drive where the boot info is stored?

sobitthen (New user):

If I already had an XP [c:] and an Vista [e:] dual boot in place and I wanted to swap the XP for the Win7 OS would I be in danger of losing the ability to boot into Vista if I overwrote the XP install to dual boot the Win7? Sorry, didn't notice my guest comment posted as well..

Chinki ied (New user):

These seem to be pretty good guides. Good work.
Unfortunately, I am attempting to dual boot xp64 with xp{32bit}pro on the partition behing xp64.

Chinki ied (New user):

Whatdayaknow...
Just went on and installed 32bit on partition behind 64 bit and it dual boots by default...

Newbie (New user):

Hey guys great work on putting together this info...however, it seems like I'm the only person trying to multi boot with Windows 7 installed first...any information available on this? I'm looking at Win 7 XP and Linux.

kerokun (New user):

Quoting Newbie:
Hey guys great work on putting together this info...however, it seems like I'm the only person trying to multi boot with Windows 7 installed first...any information available on this? I'm looking at Win 7 XP and Linux.

I tried that last weekend. Got it working after a bit of experimentation.
here is the gist of it
1. Install Windows 7
2. Use Windows 7 Disk Management Tool to create a new partition for Windows XP. (Important! this is needed for startup repair tool to work)
3. Assign a Drive letter for the "System Reserved" partition. (Just in case)
3. Start Windows XP Install CD, when selecting partitions, check that there is a 1MB unallocated space in front of the "System Reserved" partition.If there is, you're good, leave it be.
4. reformat that newly created partition, Install XP.
5. During reboot, installation might stall and you get a "_" prompt.
Put in Windows 7 DVD and run startup repair tool. Reboot again
6. You should be able to boot into Windows 7 again. Install EasyBCD and create a entry for Windows XP.
7. Reboot. The Windows 7 Boot manager should load. Choose the Windows XP option and continue your XP Install from there.

kerokun (New user):

Quoting kerokun:
I tried that last weekend. Got it working after a bit of experimentation.
here is the gist of it
1. Install Windows 7
2. Use Windows 7 Disk Management Tool to create a new partition for Windows XP. (Important! this is needed for startup repair tool to work)
3. Assign a Drive letter for the "System Reserved" partition. (Just in case)
3. Start Windows XP Install CD, when selecting partitions, check that there is a 1MB unallocated space in front of the "System Reserved" partition.If there is, you're good, leave it be.
4. reformat that newly created partition, Install XP.
5. During reboot, installation might stall and you get a "_" prompt.
Put in Windows 7 DVD and run startup repair tool. Reboot again
6. You should be able to boot into Windows 7 again. Install EasyBCD and create a entry for Windows XP.
7. Reboot. The Windows 7 Boot manager should load. Choose the Windows XP option and continue your XP Install from there.


To install Linux, in a nutshell
1. Create a partition for Linux from Windows 7/XP
2. Install Linux onto that partition, making sure you install the Linux GRUB onto its own partition instead of overwriting the MBR.
3. Using EasyBCD in Windows 7, create an entry for Linux GRUB.
4. Upon reboot you should be able to boot into Linux.

I have more details of my experience on my blog, you might want to use it as a reference.
http://kerokun.livejournal.com/20665.html

Hope this helps.

bharathreddy (New user):

Hi all!
I've written an elaborate post on setting up dual/triple boot with windows7 and vista (or also XP). The blog also explains how to edit the boot menu options thereafter. Please see
http://bharathreddyt.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/install-windows-7-on-a-vista-laptop/

lauri emery (New user):

I have a hard from an old laptop that had a bad keyboard. It has all my software on it including windows XP. I have the external box that connects it w/ a usb. I know that it is a simple process. how can I find out how, so I can use my XP compatable software?
thanks!

dougallen (New user):

Any help, howcan IU boot XP from an existing drive from an older PC (fubar) on an Vista 64 bit machine?

jaeden Bailey (New user):

how do I get my vista premium back, as I lost my installation disc so I used a vista home basic disc to get my computer to run after it had crashed?

bouncemaker (New user):

How about a tri-boot? Vista/Win7/Linux??? Anyone write a guide on that?

Steve007 (New user):

Any chance of a "how to dual boot" Windows 7 with Linux (Linux installed first)?
Would this be any different than Vista with Linux (Linux installed first)?

phillw (New user):

Thanks for the updates - I send people to this site for all things to do with dual booting.

Phill.

pavsid (New user):

Is there a guide on how to tri-boot vista, 7 and linux?! I can access all three but first comes the grub bootmenu and then comes the windows boot menu - how can you get it so there's only one?

pavsid (New user):

Is there a guide on how to tri-boot vista, 7 and linux?! I can access all three but first comes the grub bootmenu and then comes the windows boot menu - how can you get it so there's only one?

Geoff Axford (New user):

How about "how to dual boot windows 7 (installed first) & linux (or win2k?)"

Having just bought a laptop with win7 pre-installed I am desperate to get back to either linux or w2k-pro as I find that the W7 home premium is the most dumbed down version they have ever brought out!
HELP!!!!!

PainKillerBob (New user):

Here's one more I could use: How to dual boot Windows XP and Windows 7 (Windows 7 installed first).

cragtom (New user):

If I over wright vista with 7 can I still duel-boot wubi ubuntu like I can with vista on startup

philippemorin123 (New user):

How about Ubuntu 9.10 and Windows 7? (Ubuntu 9.10 first) Please!

useless (New user):

3 Operating System on a 320 GB Hdd.

Make 3 partitions 1st 60GB for windows xp, 2ND 60GB for windows7, 3rd for Windows7 Image Backup, from here can restore all 3 operating System as 1 image, using Windows7 Backup system.

Install Xp first, than Windows7, than install Linux Ubuntu 9.10 into Windows xp.

Using Win Xp for Video and Photo editing.
Windows7 for Multimedia center tv system backup (alternative external drive)
Ubuntu 9.10 for web surfing Skype all e-mails and and lots more

Daren (New user):

Portlock Leap Frog does this all pretty well, automatically, no hassles at all. Its worth a look, if you do not like trying to configure your computer or worried about messing up the boot environment.

http://www.portlock.com/products/leap_frog/