Windows 10: Dual boot windows 10 & 7

Hello
I have a computer with windows 7 home premium 64 bit with a genuine licence.
I have two identicle SSDs (with different serial numbers obviously)

I want to run windows 7 on one.
I want to put the image of the original on the second and have a dual boot.
Software called acronis driveimage which is very good for that, with multiple backups of the image files so can reinstall the OS quickly at any time.

The second SSD I want to upgrade to windows 10, do updates, then make image backup.

I have a very clear idea of technically what I can do.

The question I have is about the licence.
Presently I have a genuine OEM windows 7 home premium licence.

If I install windows 10, will the 7 licence still be valid. I am not interested in the 30 day thing where I can return before that time.

I want to run a dual boot until eventually switching to windows 10.
Will the windows 7 licence for the original SSD be legal & valid still?
Both will be used on the same computer. I will not be looking to use either OS an any other computer.
I have searched google and there seems to be inconsistent information on this.
Can anyone give useful & correct info on this.

Thanks

:)

 

Dual boot system consisting of Windows 7 & Windows 10

Is it possible / permissible to alter an existing dual boot system of 2 windows 7 O.S. to upgrade one of the windows 7 to Windows 10 and leave the other Windows 7 as is? The result would be a dual boot system of Windows 7 & 10.

 

Dual boot windows 10 with windows 10 by upgrading win 7

I was running dual boot of windows 7 and windows 8.1 for long time. I have upgraded my windows 8.1 to windows 10 since 6 months.

No issues as such. My purpose of dual boot is i solely use the windows 7 for my kid's gaming & other activities, so that he doesn't mess up with the other OS. Now, I would like to upgrade the windows 7 to windows 10 as well. Is dual boot of windows 10 and
windows 10 possible in first place and will there be any issues in doing so?

 

Yes, because Windows 7 and Windows 10 are running on the same computer.

I have tested it on my computer, so it works very well.

 

Thanks for the reply.
Are you able to give any info where microsoft confirms this.
Just want to be sure
Have you been running both for more than 30 days with no licencing issues?
Thank you

 

It violates the EULA. 1 license for Windows means 1 copy of Windows installed and activated only - regardless of whether or not it is installed on the same computer. It might work very well, but it violates the EULA.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Uset...10_English.htm

Your Windows 7 product key remains valid to GO BACK to Windows 7 - but not to dual boot Windows 7 with Windows 10 with both of them installed and activated at the same time - regardless of whether it is the same computer or not:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...covery-options

Instead of doing a clean install of Windows 7, you can just restore a backup image - the point being that the product key and license for Windows 7 remains valid for Windows 7 as well as the upgrade to Windows 10 - just can't have both installed and activated at the same time.

I hope that answered your question, directly from Microsoft websites.

 

Out of curiosity, how could microsoft tell. If I did it would be securing the windows 7 boot drive by encrypting it.

Do not think I will be upgrading then. I can apparently take windows 7 OEM licence when I upgrade my motherboard, but its home premium and limited to 16GB. I have done that before.
The only reason I was thinking of installing windows 10 with the free option is for directx12, as I like gaming. It seems its not necessary right now.
There are also the privacy concerns.
I will stick with windows 7 for now.

When I get another computer or upgrade the hardware, may go for windows 10 for gaming only with windows 10 retail licence. With that I will have linux or possibly windows 7 (present licence) for everything else on an encrypted drive.
It seems to ensure my privacy I need to purchase I licence for it all to be valid/legal. Seems worth it to me.

 

It also violates the EULA to move the OEM Windows 7 to an upgraded motherboard. And it violates the rules of this forum to discuss or encourage doing so.

 

This is getting silly. I do not have the windows 7 EULA in front of me. I am not trying to encourage piracy. All I am doing is trying to find out how to upgrade my computer so I have valid licences. Microsoft were perfectly fine when I upgraded my computer. I recall calling them up, getting appropriate keys and it was fine. As far as I am aware I have legal software.

I would like to buy windows 7 professional retail but cannot find a genuine one anywhere. Why is that?
Maybe I have a retail version already of home premium. I am not sure. How can you tell? Would be great if it was. It came with a second hand computer. I think the computer has vista on it a first as the case had the vista key on the side. It came with vista and windows 7 discs, all apparently genuine.

 

Showkey plus from this forum will tell you the type of product key/license you have:
Showkey - Windows 10 Forums

If you want to legally upgrade your computer then I suggest you do it the way that thousands, if not millions, of us have. Make a backup image of your current entire hard drive using a program like Macrium Reflect Free (it only backs up the used space, so you need external storage with the capacity of approx. all the used space on your hard drive):

Macrium Reflect Free


After you have your backup image (and hopefully the Macrium Reflect rescue drive in case something goes really wrong), then you upgrade your Windows 7 to Windows 10. If you don't like it, or something goes wrong, then you restore your hard drive from the backup image you created.

 

Download ShowKeyPlus - it will tell you if your key is retail or OEM. Normally upgrades are retail but you should check.

Do bear in mind the free offer expires 29th June. It may be worth upgrading (and then restoring back) to get your free entitlement to windows 10 registered. You can then upgrade later for free if you want.

 

There are different EULAs in force than the ones quoted above - for example, what the OP proposes in the first post does not seem to violate the Windows Insider Preview evaluation EULA, which has a differently worded clause in section 2 - here is the full EULA from a recent Windows 10 Insider Preview release:

Code: Last updated March 2016MICROSOFT PRE-RELEASE SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM (PRE-RELEASE) IF YOU LIVE IN (OR IF YOUR PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS IS IN) THE UNITED STATES, PLEASE READ THE BINDING ARBITRATION CLAUSE AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER IN SECTION 7. IT AFFECTS HOW DISPUTES ARE RESOLVED. Thank you for choosing Microsoft! Depending on how you obtained the Windows software, this is a license agreement between you and Microsoft Corporation (or, based on where you live or if a business where your principal place of business is located, one of its affiliates) This agreement describes your rights and the conditions upon which you may use the Windows software. You should review the entire agreement, including any supplemental license terms that accompany the software and any linked terms, because all of the terms are important and together create this agreement that applies to you. You can review linked terms by pasting the (aka.ms/) link into a browser window. IMPORTANT NOTICE. This software is an experimental and early prerelease version. This means that you may experience occasional crashes and data loss. To recover, you may have to reinstall the software, your applications, or re-flash your device. In some instances, once you install the software, you may not be able to go back to the prior version of the software. Some features may be removed, change before commercial release or may never be commercially released. Some third party applications installed on the device may also not work, may stop working, or may be automatically deleted. Additionally, the software, if installed on a mobile device, may inadvertently damage your device rendering it inoperable. By using the software, you agree to frequently backup your data. By accepting this agreement or using the software, you agree to all of these terms, and consent to the transmission of certain information during activation and during your use of the software as per the privacy statement described in Section 3. If you do not accept and comply with these terms, you may not use the software or its features. 1. Overview. a. Applicability. This agreement applies to the Windows software identified above, the media on which you received the software (if any), any fonts, icons, images or sound files included with the software, and also any Microsoft updates, upgrades, supplements or services for the software, unless other terms come with them. It also applies to Windows apps developed by Microsoft that provide functionality such as contacts, music, photos and news that are included with and are a part of Windows. If this agreement contains terms regarding a feature or service not available on your device, then those terms do not apply. b. Additional terms. Additional Microsoft and third party terms may apply to your use of certain features, services and apps, depending on your device’s capabilities, how it is configured, and how you use it. Please be sure to read them. (i) Some Windows apps provide an access point to, or rely on, online services, and the use of those services is sometimes governed by separate terms and privacy policies, such as the Microsoft Services Agreement at (aka.ms/msa). You can view these terms and policies by looking at the service terms of use or the app’s settings, as applicable. The services may not be available in all regions. (ii) The software includes Adobe Flash Player that is licensed under terms from Adobe Systems Incorporated at (aka.ms/adobeflash). Adobe and Flash are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. 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For example, this license does not give you any right to, and you may not: (i) use or virtualize features of the software separately; (ii) publish, copy (other than the permitted backup copy), rent, lease, or lend the software; (iii) transfer the software (except as permitted by this agreement); (iv) work around any technical restrictions or limitations in the software; (v) use the software as server software, for commercial hosting, make the software available for simultaneous use by multiple users over a network, install the software on a server and allow users to access it remotely, or install the software on a device for use only by remote users; (vi) reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the software, or attempt to do so, except and only to the extent that the foregoing restriction is permitted by applicable law or by licensing terms governing the use of open-source components that may be included with the software; and (vii) when using Internet-based features you may not use those features in any way that could interfere with anyone else’s use of them, or to try to gain access to or use any service, data, account, or network, in an unauthorized manner. 3. Privacy; Consent to Use of Data. You agree that Microsoft may collect, use, and disclose your information as described in the Privacy Statement at (aka.ms/privacy). 4. Updates. The software periodically checks for system and app updates, and downloads and installs them for you. You may obtain updates only from Microsoft or authorized sources, and Microsoft may need to update your system to provide you with those updates. By accepting this agreement, you agree to receive these types of automatic updates without any additional notice. 5. Geographic and Export Restrictions. If your software is restricted for use in a particular geographic region, then you may activate the software only in that region. You must also comply with all domestic and international export laws and regulations that apply to the software, which include restrictions on destinations, end users, and end use. For further information on geographic and export restrictions, visit (aka.ms/georestrict) and (aka.ms/exporting). 6. Support. Because this software is licensed “as is,” Microsoft may not provide support services for it. Once you install the software on your device, you may be voiding your device warranty and may not be entitled to support from the manufacturer of your device or network operator, if applicable. 7. Binding Arbitration and Class Action Waiver if You Live in (or if a Business Your Principal Place of Business is in) the United States. We hope we never have a dispute, but if we do, you and we agree to try for 60 days to resolve it informally. If we can’t, you and we agree to binding individual arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), and not to sue in court in front of a judge or jury. Instead, a neutral arbitrator will decide and the arbitrator’s decision will be final except for a limited right of appeal under the FAA. Class action lawsuits, class-wide arbitrations, private attorney-general actions, and any other proceeding where someone acts in a representative capacity aren’t allowed. Nor is combining individual proceedings without the consent of all parties. a. Disputes covered—everything except IP. The term “dispute” is as broad as it can be. It includes any claim or controversy between you and Microsoft, concerning the software, its price, or this agreement, under any legal theory including contract, warranty, tort, statute, or regulation, except disputes relating to the enforcement or validity of your, your licensors’, our, or our licensors’ intellectual property rights. b. Mail a Notice of Dispute first. If you have a dispute and our customer service representatives can’t resolve it, send a Notice of Dispute by U.S. Mail to Microsoft Corporation, ATTN: LCA ARBITRATION, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399. Tell us your name, address, how to contact you, what the problem is, and what you want. A form is available at (aka.ms/disputeform). We’ll do the same if we have a dispute with you. After 60 days, you or we may start an arbitration if the dispute is unresolved. c. Small claims court option. Instead of mailing a Notice of Dispute, and if you meet the court’s requirements, you may sue us in small claims court in your county of residence (or if a business your principal place of business) or our principal place of business–King County, Washington USA if your dispute is with Microsoft. We hope you’ll mail a Notice of Dispute and give us 60 days to try to work it out, but you don’t have to before going to small claims court. d. Arbitration procedure. The AAA will conduct any arbitration under its Commercial Arbitration Rules (or if you are an individual and use the software for personal or household use, or if the value of the dispute is $75,000 USD or less whether or not you are an individual or how you use the software, its Consumer Arbitration Rules). For more information, see (aka.ms/adr) or call 1-800-778-7879. To start an arbitration, submit the form available at (aka.ms/arbitration) to the AAA; mail a copy to Microsoft. In a dispute involving $25,000 USD or less, any hearing will be telephonic unless the arbitrator finds good cause to hold an in-person hearing instead. Any in-person hearing will take place in your county of residence (of if a business your principal place of business) or our principal place of business—King County, Washington if your dispute is with Microsoft. You choose. The arbitrator may award the same damages to you individually as a court could. The arbitrator may award declaratory or injunctive relief only to you individually to satisfy your individual claim. e. Arbitration fees and payments. (i) Disputes involving $75,000 USD or less. Microsoft will promptly reimburse your filing fees and pay the AAA’s and arbitrator’s fees and expenses. If you reject our last written settlement offer made before the arbitrator was appointed, your dispute goes all the way to an arbitrator’s decision (called an “award”), and the arbitrator awards you more than this last written offer, Microsoft will: (1) pay the greater of the award or $1,000 USD; (2) pay your reasonable attorney’s fees, if any; and (3) reimburse any expenses (including expert witness fees and costs) that your attorney reasonably accrues for investigating, preparing, and pursuing your claim in arbitration. The arbitrator will determine the amounts unless you and we agree on them. (ii) Disputes involving more than $75,000 USD. The AAA rules will govern payment of filing fees and the AAA’s and arbitrator’s fees and expenses. (iii) Disputes involving any amount. If you start an arbitration we won’t seek our AAA or arbitrator’s fees and expenses, or your filing fees we reimbursed, unless the arbitrator finds the arbitration frivolous or brought for an improper purpose. If we start an arbitration we will pay all filing, AAA, and arbitrator’s fees and expenses. We won’t seek our attorney’s fees or expenses from you in any arbitration. Fees and expenses are not counted in determining how much a dispute involves. f. Must file within one year. You and we must file in small claims court or arbitration any claim or dispute (except intellectual property disputes — see Section 7.a.) within one year from when it first could be filed. Otherwise, it’s permanently barred. g. Severability. If the class action waiver is found to be illegal or unenforceable as to all or some parts of a dispute, those parts won’t be arbitrated but will proceed in court, with the rest proceeding in arbitration. If any other provision of Section 7 is found to be illegal or unenforceable, that provision will be severed but the rest of Section 7 still applies. h. Conflict with AAA rules. This agreement governs if it conflicts with the AAA’s Commercial Arbitration Rules or Consumer Arbitration Rules. 8. Governing Law. The laws of the state or country where you live (or if a business where your principal place of business is located) govern all claims and disputes concerning the software, its price, or this agreement, including breach of contract claims and claims under state consumer protection laws, unfair competition laws, implied warranty laws, for unjust enrichment, and in tort, regardless of conflict of law principles, except that the FAA governs all provisions relating to arbitration. 9. Consumer Rights, Regional Variations. This agreement describes certain legal rights. You may have other rights, including consumer rights, under the laws of your state or country. You may also have rights with respect to the party from which you acquired the software. This agreement does not change those other rights if the laws of your state or country do not permit it to do so.: 10. Additional Notices. a. Networks, data and Internet usage. Some features of the software and services accessed through the software may require your device to access the Internet. Your access and usage (including charges) may be subject to the terms of your cellular or internet provider agreement. Certain features of the software may help you access the Internet more efficiently, but the software’s usage calculations may be different from your service provider’s measurements. You are always responsible for (i) understanding and complying with the terms of your own plans and agreements, and (ii) any issues arising from using or accessing networks, including public/open networks. You may use the software to connect to networks, and to share access information about those networks, only if you have permission to do so. b. H.264/AVC and MPEG-4 visual standards and VC-1 video standards. The software may include H.264/MPEG-4 AVC and/or VC-1 decoding technology. MPEG LA, L.L.C. requires this notice: THIS PRODUCT IS LICENSED UNDER THE AVC, THE VC-1, AND THE MPEG-4 PART 2 VISUAL PATENT PORTFOLIO LICENSES FOR THE PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL USE OF A CONSUMER TO (i) ENCODE VIDEO IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ABOVE STANDARDS (“VIDEO STANDARDS”) AND/OR (ii) DECODE AVC, VC-1, AND MPEG-4 PART 2 VIDEO THAT WAS ENCODED BY A CONSUMER ENGAGED IN A PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AND/OR WAS OBTAINED FROM A VIDEO PROVIDER LICENSED TO PROVIDE SUCH VIDEO. NO LICENSE IS GRANTED OR SHALL BE IMPLIED FOR ANY OTHER USE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MPEG LA, L.L.C. SEE (AKA.MS/MPEGLA). c. Malware protection. Microsoft cares about protecting your device from malware. The software will turn on malware protection if other protection is not installed or has expired. To do so, other antimalware software will be disabled or may have to be removed. 11. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY. The software is licensed “as-is” and you bear the risk of using it. Microsoft gives no express warranties, guarantees or conditions. You may have additional consumer rights under your local laws which this agreement cannot change. To the extent permitted under your local laws, Microsoft excludes the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. 12. LIMITATION ON AND EXCLUSION OF REMEDIES AND DAMAGES. If you have any basis for recovering damages from Microsoft, you can recover only direct damages up to $5.00 USD. You may not recover any other damages, including consequential, lost profits, special, indirect, or incidental damages. The damage exclusions and limitations in this agreement apply even if repair, replacement, or a refund for the software does not fully compensate you for any losses or if Microsoft knew or should have known about the possibility of the damages. Some states and countries do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental, consequential, or other damages, so those limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. If your local law allows you to recover other damages from Microsoft even though we do not, you cannot recover more than $5.00 USD, or the amount you paid for the software, whichever is higher. 13. Entire Agreement. This agreement (together with the printed paper license terms or other terms accompanying any software supplements, updates, and services that are provided by Microsoft, and that you use), and the terms contained in web links listed in this agreement, are the entire agreement for the software and any such supplements, updates, and services (unless Microsoft, provides other terms with such supplements, updates, or services). You can review this agreement after your software is running by going to Settings - System - About within the software. You can also review the terms at any of the links in this agreement by typing the URLs into a browser address bar, and you agree to do so. You agree that you will read the terms before using the software or services, including any linked terms. You understand that by using the software and services, you ratify this agreement and the linked terms. There are also informational links in this agreement. The links containing notices and binding terms are: · Windows 10 Privacy Statement (aka.ms/privacy) · Microsoft Services Agreement (aka.ms/msa) · Adobe Flash Player License Terms (aka.ms/adobeflash) EULAID:RSC_3R_1_ED_PS_R_en-us[/quote] The EULA that is supplied with the software you use will be binding to that product rather than any EULA pertaining to prior or RTM versions that may appear on any Microsoft website.

You can use the following link to download, install and trial the software.

Windows 10 Insider Preview ISO Advanced

The Insider Preview program will allow you trial Windows 10, upgrade and use it as an Insider for the lifetime of your machine or until you quit the program.

A Microsoft account is needed.

As an Insider you can choose a fast or slow update regime, so you don't have to upgrade to every newly released build if you do not wish to.

If you want a buy a retail copy of Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate they are difficult to find because Microsoft is not making Windows 7 any longer - MS wants you to get Windows 10.

You can use the anytime upgrade option to upgrade your Windows 7 Home Premium version to Professional/Ultimate though. I have no idea of the price in Australia.

If you use the methods outlined below you will be able to activate the Windows 10 Insider preview dual booting on your PC to the Home edition, based on the license of your Windows 7 Home Premium already installed.

Windows 10 - Dual Boot with Windows 7 or Windows 8 - Windows 10 Forums

If you upgrade from 7 you may violate the terms of your Windows 7 EULA - I cannot tell what your EULA states. It may require you to remove the Windows 7 installation.

You do not need to upgrade your Windows 7 - you can clean install. This also means you may be able to install and use a 32-bit Windows 10 if your hardware cannot meet the 64-bit requirements for Windows 10, which are more stringent than for 64-bit Windows 7.

Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First - Windows 10 Forums

To run the Activated Professional version, you will need a license for a Professional (or Ultimate for 7) version of Windows 7, 8, 8.1, or 10.

If you activate a version of Windows 10 (even as an Insider) on your PC before the 29th July 2016, your PC will gain and retain a free digital license entitlement to use Windows 10 for the lifetime of the device.

 

That is true that insider preview allows dual booting.

 

Hey there ianmozzy,
Just wanted to pop in here after looking at your listed system setup. I don't know how you use your computer, but a word of caution:
If you do any banking, purchasing, or anything else where you give your personal information online, Windows Defender is not enough.
It started out life as "Big AS" which was for years the best antispyware program out there. Microsoft bought it and turned it into Windows Defender. Later they added a basic antivirus to it. On MS website, they even call it BASIC. It is so you can get your machine up and running, updated, and a proper Internet Security program installed.
I have used; Kaspersky (for the last 4 years, and my fav), Bit Defender (another top rated fav), AVAST, ESET NOD32, F-Secure, AVG, Norton, Trend Micro, McAfee. I hate Mcafee and would never recommend it to anyone. I listed them in the order of MY preference. Others will have their favorites.
The main thing, is to get a good Internet Security program and not just an antivirus program. ( Plus Malware protection.)
Since 1996 I have only been bitten by one virus, and I go a lot of places I shouldn't and do things I shouldn't. Nothing illegal, just high-risk surfing, But I know how to protect myself. Most people don't.

 

Wait a minute, I jumped the gun.
I was looking a someone else's setup thinking I was looking at yours.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.