Windows 10: Dual Boot Windows 7 with Windows 10

I cannot be 100% sure, but since Windows 7, 8 and 10 share the same boot loader, there should be an entry automatically added for dual boot to both windows versions. However experience says that when installing an older Windows version after an new version problems can follow. In worst case you may have to repair startup in Windows 10 and that's it.

 

It's not that complicated. From Windows 10 make a new NTFS partition for Windows 7. Boot from the Windows 7 DVD-ROM and install Windows 7 in that partition. Chances are that since the Windows Boot Loader is the same in 7 8 and 10 a new boot entry for Windows 7 will be automatically added without any issues. In worst case you may have repair startup in Windows 10 once and that's it. I had this problem when installed Windows XP (classic boot loader) after Windows Vista (modern boot loader). I could not access Vista until I used the DVD-ROM to restore the modern boot loader. But in your case Windows 7 and 10 have the same boot loader, so there shouldn't be a problem.

 

I followed above instructions with my DVD Win 7 SP1 64BIT and after a restart the results are: "INSTALL WINDOWS. Partitions are not the recommended order. Microsoft Corporation and search for GPT". I will appreciate your recommendations to fix or the remove partition.
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Try my instructions instead. You might have better luck.

 

I was mistaken. Try my instructions, but boot from the DVD like spapakons instructed.

 

Windows 8 and 10 use same boot loader but Windows 7 uses an older version.

If you get issues, fairly easy to fix with our good old friend of a Macrium Rescue drive.

 

Updated instructions:
Create and NTFS format a partition to hold Windows 7. Boot from the Windows 7 DVD. Using the custom setup options, point it to the blank NTFS formatted partition that you created to install to.

Of course you will have to have your Windows 7 Product Key to enter.

It should set up dual booting automatically, but it will be with the Windows 7 boot loader. To restore the Windows 10 graphical boot loader, in Windows 10 from an elevated ("run as administrator") command prompt enter:
bcdboot %WinDir%

If for some reason Windows 7 does not set up dual booting and you end up stuck booting into Windows 7 only, then from an elevated command prompt in Windows 7 enter:

bcdboot D:\Windows

The path in red will be whatever drive letter and Windows folder gets assigned to the Windows 10 partition.

 

I did in this way yesterday, and now today I will have to repair or remove/delete this process booting.

Recommendations are being appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Press Win+R to open the run dialog box. Type msconfig - OK. Click on the boot tab. Highlight the Windows you want to remove (assuming Windows 7) and click the delete button. Then you can delete the Windows 7 partition.