Dual Boot Windows 7 And XP Easily: Windows 7 Installation Directly From XP Without A LiveDVD
In a simple manner, (in less than 30 minutes), Windows 7 can be installed directly from your current desktop alongside an existing Windows XP operating system (but on a different partition) without burning a DVD. Even more, all applications that are currently installed on the Windows XP will work on Windows 7 without the need to reinstall them (you will just have to create shortcuts to the executable file). At the boot phase, you will be able to select the desired operating system: Windows 7 or Windows XP.
First, you will need to download the Windows 7 DVD ISO file corresponding to your computer architecture: 32bit or 64bit, as well as a virtual CD drive manager like MagicISO. (related article: Unlimited Downloads And Evaluation Times For Windows 7 Beta). An available partition of your hard drive with enough disk space for Windows 7 installation (about 7 GB for the default options) is also required.
After you run the installer and finish the setup for the MagicISO application, right click its corresponding icon, mount the Windows 7 DVD ISO image and then click the Browse CD option from the same context menu. By double clicking the installer icon (it has a green color), the Windows 7 installation process will begin directly from the Windows XP (the computer reboot is not required in this phase).
This is the first window that will appear after you run the Windows 7 installer (select install now):
In the next window, select “Do Not Get The Latest Updates For Installation Option”, because this step will be performed automatically later:
Checking the checkbox means that you agree with the License Terms:
In the next Window select the Custom Installation option:
In this window, you must indicate the partition where Windows 7 will be installed:
The next two windows will appear automatically and after these two steps, the computer will reboot:
In order to complete the Windows 7 installation after the reboot, you must follow the onscreen instructions. Practically, the installation process is completely automated, you will just have to provide the activation key. The key can be obtained from the Microsoft official website.
At the end, the user will just have to specify localization details and network preferences. When you will start or restart the computer, the boot menu provides the possibility to select Windows 7 or Windows XP operating system.
Windows 7 Screenshot Tour
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January 14th, 2009 at 2:53 am
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January 15th, 2009 at 1:54 am
[...] The guys from downloadtube.com have a very good method to do this, which is explained in detail in this article. Share and [...]
January 15th, 2009 at 2:55 am
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January 15th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Can I use magiciso and this information in vista as well?
January 15th, 2009 at 7:48 am
This method of installation should also work on Windows Vista. If the installation begins within Vista, follow the steps until the end of it and you will be able to see the Windows 7 Beta desktop.
January 15th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I have one drive installed XP, how can I partition the drive into two using win 7 installation? has anyone used win7 ISO disk to resize your system drive?
thanks
January 16th, 2009 at 12:16 am
You can install Windows 7 by starting from the same partition with Windows XP in the next way: first download and burn to a CDGParted , which is an utility that allows you to manage your current partition having XP installed, without loosing any data.
By usingGParted you can resize the partition containing XP and in the free space obtained create a new partition. This partition can be used to install Windows 7 and at the end of the installation, you will be able to boot the previous version of Windows or the Windows 7 operating system.
Practically you will obtain a dual boot sequence that will permit the selection of the desired operating system. Further operating systems can also be installed, such as Linux or other Windows versions.
January 16th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Once i install this do i need to install an antivirus program. currently i have windows xp with mcafee on it. Will it be ok if Install AVG Free for windows 7?
Thanks.
January 18th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
You will need to install an Antivirus program. These are two recommended free antivirus software: ClamWin and Avast Antivirus. More free antivirus solutions can be found at Downloadtube. Also, you are allowed to install any other desired antivirus utility.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:23 pm
i assume this will also work if installed on a completely different hdd (as opposed to just a different partition on 1 hdd)?
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April 5th, 2009 at 6:06 am
Well, for some unknown reason, Win7 install wanted to RAID drivers? I have no raid setup and only ONE drive in the machine. I found a set of Vista enhanced SIL3112 drivers (raid) and allowed the install to find them and voila, it worked
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:23 am
hi is it ok to make this to install 64 bit win 7 to 32 bit xp???
July 21st, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Mux - Firstly, you are not installing Win 7 to XP but to another partiton, where both XP and Win 7 are selectable at boot up. If you are currently running XP 32 bit (x86) and your processor is capable of running 64 bit OS (x64), then you should be able to install 64 bit Win 7 on the other partition. However if your processor is only rated/capable of 32 bit then you can only install / run Win 7 32 bit.
July 21st, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Re- User Admin’s post on 16 Jan 09 - Gparted is a Linux application and will not install on Windows XP! - If you have got Partition Magic this will do the trick, however this is not free. For the benefit of those who don’t have PM, does anyone know of a free equivalent for XP or Vista?
July 21st, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Re - Dual boot and partitioning.
Your original XP boot partition will normally be assigned as the C: drive.
What drive letter do you assign to the Win 7 partition? or will each OS assume C: dependent on which is booted?
If not, I can see future problems when using Win 7 (on another partition not labeled as C:) with installing applications that are hard coded to install to the C: drive!
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:30 am
In the main article, it is explained clearly: you first create a partition where Windows 7 will be installed, mount the ISO and run the Windows 7 setup executable from within Windows XP, select the newly created partition and follow the onscreen installation wizard steps. Computer will reboot, the installation will be finished (I hope succesfully) and when you start the computer, the boot sequence will indicate at least two options: Windows 7 and Windows XP, if you do not have other OS installed too. Windows 7 is highlighted by default. That’s all.
July 31st, 2009 at 5:44 pm
This saves us, the installation always fails when we install it from an external USB DVD-ROM drive. Requests a Windows 7 driver for the DVD drive, and fails all the time.