Windows 10: Dual Boot Windows 10 with Windows 7 or Windows 8

I have successfully boot both Windows 7 & Windows 10. (Windows 7 as my first OS with data (saved applications in C:, startup applications, Anti-Virus, desktop preferences etc.)

My question is, how can I use the same data on Windows 10? Thanks!

 

I use an external hard drive. Data in that drive is available to any user logged in.

 

Tutorial updated for Windows 10 RTM. *Smile

 

So it is now my understanding that while the following worked for the tech preview, you cannot create a dual boot system in live using the same base key for both boots. ie: Windows 7 restored to an image prior to doing the Win10 upgrade on 1 drive, and a fresh install of Win10 on another drive- both essentially being based off of the same key.

Does anyone know for sure this won't work?

Also assuming even having a drive with a Windows 7 upgraded to Windows 10 along side another drive with the Windows 7 before the upgrade wouldn't work either.

 

Hello Windowz10,

When you upgrade to the free offer of Windows 10, you agree to no longer activate the Windows 7 key while the free Windows 10 is installed and activated.

If you wanted to install and activate Windows 7 again, then you would either need to purchase a new Windows 7 key or uninstall Windows 10 first to comply with the Windows 10 EULA you agreed to for the free copy.

Hope this helps. *Smile

 

Ok. I figured but still trying to find a work around.

Essentially I need to test out the final Live version of Windows 10 while preserving my known-good OS. This is for various reasons, but basically I cannot risk be stuck on Windows 10 with non-operational apps.

A thought does occur though. We are suppose to be able to undo the upgrade to Windows 10, which would mean being able to revert the key back. I suspect what would happen in that case is that Windows 10 would no longer be activated. That may not be as big a deal since I can get it fully updated while still activated. After that, all the non-Microsoft updates would still be installable since they come from companies like the GPU makers, etc etc.

Can you (or anyone) confirm that we are able to move back from Windows 10? If so, is there a restriction on how often it could be done? ie: would activation Windows 10 once a month to do OS updates, then reverting again be possible multiple times?

 

Yes, we can go back to the previous Windows that we upgraded from for up to a month after upgrading.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4...s-windows.html

 

I wonder..... upgrade to windows 10, then back up. Wait 1 month then upgrade again and back up again, wait 1 month, ...

 

If you so wish, but don't see why one would want to do that.

 

Well again the idea is to primarily run Windows 7 say until we are sure that Windows 10 will properly support things we require, but still have Windows 10 testing abilities.

This approach would not only not require a separate box that remains Windows 10, but also continually tests the upgrade process- which will be a good indicator if suddenly problems arise.

 

If you have the hard drive space, why don't you just dual boot? I'm dual booting and have upgraded Windows 8.1 on both laptops to Windows 10 while leaving the Windows 10 partitions intact and still activated.

 

Legally by the EULA, you are not suppose to have the 8.1 installed and activated with the 8.1 key you upgraded to the free Windows 10 with unless you uninstall 10 first, or use a different key to activate 8.1 with.