Windows 10: Windows 7/10 dual boot?

About time I changed to Windows 10 (Pro) I guess. However, I would perhaps (still mulling pros and cons) like to have a dual boot with my current Windows 7 (Home) - the PC is 99% used for gaming (X-Plane 11) and some of the older hardware I use, and want to keep, such as a Nostromo N52 keypad, is probably not going to work in Windows 10. I have read through the tutorial here, on how one can still upgrade for free:

Upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 for Free

Can I use that tutorial somehow to set up a dual boot? Would I have to install an image of my current Win7 installation onto my target partition first, and then update that copy (I have a 400GB empty partition on one of my (internal) SSDs)? My worry of course is not being able to boot after I do that!

Help appreciated. Thank you.

:)

 

Dual Boot Windows question.

here is a guide that should do the trick: https://www.howtogeek.com/197647/how-to-dual-boot-windows-10-with-windows-7-or-8/

Just remember if u want UEFI on Windows 10 u most have UEFI on your Windows 7 too if not u need to go change it in the bios everytime u want to go back to Windows 7.

 

Dual Booting with Windows 8.1


The procedure below will allow you to boot Windows separately or in dual boot configuration.
Here's what I recommend to do:

1. Disconnect the drive containing Windows 8.1
2. Install Windows 10 with one drive connected.
3. After step 2, reconnect the drive containing Windows 8.1
4. Boot up Windows 8.1. Open disk management and take a note of the drive letter of Windows 10 OS.
   NOTE: if you boot up Windows 10, then take a note of Windows 8.1 drive letter
5. Open Admin command prompt and type: bcdboot X:\windows where X: is the drive letter of Windows 10 (Windows 8.1 if you boot from Windows 10 in step 4)
6. Reboot the PC. You should have a dual boot screen.

NOTE: To break off the dual boot setting, Win+R->msconfig->boot and delete the none default entry on the list.

 

Windows 10 Dual boot with 7

Hello,

Thanks for showing your interest in Windows 10, I will certainly help you with this.

Yes, you may try dual boot on the Windows 7 computer.

Please refer the Microsoft help articles below for detailed information:

How to dual boot Windows 10 with previous
versions of Windows

How to Upgrade a dual boot installation of
Windows and Linux to Windows 10 - Part1

Important:

• I highly recommend backing up all of your important files and folders onto an external storage device before attempting any step in the given articles.
• Using Third Party Software, including hardware drivers can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Third Party Software can be solved. Using
  Third Party Software is at your own risk.

Let us know if you need further assistance. We will be glad to help you further.

____________________

Thanks & Regards,