Multi-boot Windows 7, Windows XP and Windows 8 Release Preview

07
2014-07
  • user1092719

    I want to test the Windows 8 Release Preview, but I am not sure how my boot configuration will turn out.

    Currently, I dual boot Windows XP with Windows 7, using the Windows 7 boot manager. If I add a new partition and install Windows 8, will my boot configuration stay intact with Windows 8 added as a new option or will I have to update it manually so I get a triple boot menu?

    • Answers
  • snayob

    Windows 8 installation will update your boot configuration data(BCD) to boot all installed Windows versions. To view and edit complete contents of BCD you can use Visual BCD Editor. The tool has also the unique capability to add automatically (on click) installed Windows versions if not present in BCD store.

  • Peter Mortensen

    You might find yourself in trouble trying to use the Windows default bootloader. As an alternative, I would recommend using EasyBCD. It's free to install and should allow you to easily configure multiple operating systems.


    • Related Question

    multi boot - Installing multiple Windows OSs on one hard drive
  • gdawg

    I wish to install multiple, probably 3, copies of Windows on one hard drive. I envisage setting up 4 partitions, one for each OS and a shared data area. I intend to ghost the empty, formatted drive using LANDesk so that I can reuse it for other drives on the network that will have the same layout.

    The version of Windows on each disk will be the same, i.e. one disk will have three slightly different variations of XP, another will have three Windows 7s, etc.

    1. What would be the best boot manager to use in this situation? I'm considering GAG.

    2. Can the boot manager be installed before installing the first OS?

    3. My understanding is that I simply install the OS on each of the three partitions and then use GAG/whatever to select which one to boot at startup. Is it this straightforward or am I missing a pitfall?


    • Related Answers
  • William Hilsum

    Firsty - Why! Anyone who multi boots without a very good reason is just asking for trouble later on. I would highly advise you look in to virtualisation, or, if you need raw performance of a real OS for gaming or similar, consider using VHD booting.

    That being said, the above does not answer your question.

    1. I would recommend just using the standard Windows Boot Manager

    2. Technically yes on all of them, but, easier just to let setup do it if you want the Windows Boot Manager.

    3. That is pretty much it - you seem set on GAG and I can't really help you further with that, but, if you went down another approach such as Windows Boot Manager, it should add each installation to the boot menu for you.

  • jeffgao

    Just use Windows' built-in boot manager (although GAG is perfectly fine for your need). Also, be sure to check out EasyBCD for configuring Windows 7 boot manager. It is free for non-commercial use.