📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses the feasibility of installing Windows 7 alongside Windows 8 in a dual-boot setup. Several users confirm that it is straightforward, with some mentioning the use of imaging tools or third-party boot managers like EasyBCD to manage boot options effectively. The overall sentiment is positive, with advice given on system configuration and considerations, such as UEFI or BIOS, and the potential benefits of multi-booting for users who want access to both Windows versions.
MikeHawthorne

MikeHawthorne

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Thread Author #1
Hi

That's my question, can I install Windows 7 on my Windows 8 computer in dual boot?
I might do that if it's not a hassle.

Mike
 

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Drew
Mike, you can get the $40 Upgrades til the end of January & up to a max of 5.

I have multi-booted a lot! @ least, every time I've beta tested forthcoming OSs for MS. Yes, you can put 7 w/ 8, no problem, @ all. I just want to mention, I have never had to use EasyBCD or anything like it. Had one OS, then installed the next on another drive, had a boot choice screen, done, end of story, that's it, that's all. Never any fussing about w/ Boots or the like, just simple & straight-forward, not the least bit complex or needing any special tools or utilities. Removing 1 was just as much a non-event... formatted its drive, finish, back to 1 OS... nothing else involved.

Cheers,
Drew
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davehc

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#3
It is easy enough. But if you install it second, it will create the legacy boot manager, and not the new Windows 8 manager. What I do, when needed, is make an image of Windows 8. fwiw, I use Acronis. I then install Windows 7 on a second partition, and reinstate my Windows 8 image - best of both worlds.
But, maybe digressing, if you use the legacy Desktop in Windows 8, it has all the functions of Windows 7 and, with the addition of a third party Start menu, is little different in operation or appearance, from Windows 7. You then have the best of both worlds, without the need to reboot.
 

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MikeHawthorne

MikeHawthorne

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Thread Author #4
Thanks Guys

I remembered that installing Windows XP after Windows 7 was a problem and wan't sure that something like that wouldn't happen installing Windows 7 after 8.

Mike
 

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Jimbo22

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#5
davehc said:
It is easy enough. But if you install it second, it will create the legacy boot manager, and not the new Windows 8 manager. What I do, when needed, is make an image of Windows 8. fwiw, I use Acronis. I then install Windows 7 on a second partition, and reinstate my Windows 8 image - best of both worlds.
But, maybe digressing, if you use the legacy Desktop in Windows 8, it has all the functions of Windows 7 and, with the addition of a third party Start menu, is little different in operation or appearance, from Windows 7. You then have the best of both worlds, without the need to reboot.
Click to expand...

Hey davehc, I was thinking a good vid tutorial of what you have here would be very beneficial to those that would like to try that.
 

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D

DonC

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#7
No problem. I have it installed on 2 computers -- a desktop and laptop.

Use EasyBCD to edit the boot manager. Letting Win8 set it up results in much slower bootup and selection. It's almost like Win 8 boots first and afterwards asks you to select a boot option. If you pick Win7, it appears your system fully reboots into 7. Klutzy!
 

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Saltgrass

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#8
When you finish getting it set up Mike, try running using the Recovery options just to make sure they work.

You can get the Windows 8 boot GUI back by booting to the Windows 8 install media and doing a bootrec /rebuildbcd command. If you decide to do that, there is one other correction that may be necessary.

I just did an install as you suggest, and a Windows 8 Restart was taking a long time...

I still like having parallel installs so I can use the boot device menu to select, but I have UEFI...
 

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MikeHawthorne

MikeHawthorne

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Thread Author #9
Thanks for the help guys.
I haven't decided for sure that I'm going to do this, I'll have to buy a Windows 7 install disk.
But I'm tempted.

I was looking at the disks on Amazon and they have what looks like the same thing at widely varying prices.
I assume that this is what I need?

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I should have bought an extra copy when I could buy them for 39.95.

Mike
 

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Drew

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#10
Mike, you can get the $40 Upgrades til the end of January & up to a max of 5.

I have multi-booted a lot! @ least, every time I've beta tested forthcoming OSs for MS. Yes, you can put 7 w/ 8, no problem, @ all. I just want to mention, I have never had to use EasyBCD or anything like it. Had one OS, then installed the next on another drive, had a boot choice screen, done, end of story, that's it, that's all. Never any fussing about w/ Boots or the like, just simple & straight-forward, not the least bit complex or needing any special tools or utilities. Removing 1 was just as much a non-event... formatted its drive, finish, back to 1 OS... nothing else involved.

Cheers,
Drew
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Solution
MikeHawthorne

MikeHawthorne

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Thread Author #11
I started having 2 operating systems installed starting with Windows 3.1.
And both of them were Windows 3.1.

Windows 3.1 was so unstable and prone to crashing that I kept 2 independent copies installed so when one of them crashed I would boot into the other one and use it to remove and re-install the first one.

I'm guessing that I'll have to have a non upgrade disk to install Windows 7 in addition to 8.
And are you talking about a Windows 7 upgrade disk for $40?

Mike
 

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