Windows 10: How set up dual boot with two version of Windows 10

I had to rep OP now for giving me an idea for a tutorial when I saw the original posts earlier today *Smile

Here's the new tutorial, published just minutes ago: Macrium Reflect - Use Macrium Image to set up Dual / Multi Boot

The whole process is incredibly easy, uncomplicated and fast, taking less than a minute of your time not counting time needed to make an image of old Windows and restoring it to new setup.

You can take an image of MBR partitioned legacy BIOS Windows installation and set it up on GPT partitioned UEFI system without any whatsoever conversions or issues, or vice versa, make a UEFI / GPT image to dual boot on a BIOS / MBR machine.

 

Hello folks!! I'll try, in this post, to clear up where I came from, where I would like to end up - and why.

1. I started out with Windows 7.
2. The attached Disk Management #1 jpg shows my system as it is now and what it was like after I installed Windows 10 over Windows 7 (which is what it's like right now).
3. When Windows 10 became available, I downloaded it and installed it over Windows 7 - which I didn't want anymore. I made the jump!!!
4. There were always problems with Windows 10 installed over Windows 7 - even though it was usable, I was hobbling along. Also, sfc /scannow always showed corrupt system files which could not be corrected.
5. Some of you folks told me I should perform a clean install. I balked at first since I have over 100 apps and I would have to install them all over again - one by one.
6. After some other attempts to fix my OS, I agreed to perform a clean install - which I'm ready to do.
7. At least one of you warned me that, if I already had a Windows installation on my computer, I should get rid of it (physically take it out of my computer) before the clean install - because the installation of Windows 10 might get confused and put some files in the existing Windows where they didn't belong.
8. I'm aware of the EULA - but I want to do a clean install of Windows 10 in a new partition on my system drive since I have plenty of room.
9. Also, having a dual boot of my old Windows 10 with all the apps installed (bugs and all) - and a clean install, I could always jump back and forth between the two OSs and use the old Windows 10 to operate with until I was satisfied I had the clean install set up enough with apps that I could operate with the clean install.
10. Then, I intend to delete the old Windows 10 with all the bugs.
11. 99% of my data resides on Disk "D" which I reserve for Data only. The other 1% is data or settings built into the apps which I have not found a way to get a pointer to point to the "D" drive. I would eventually like ALL my data on the "D" drive.
12. On the Data drive"D" (Disk 1) reside all of my up-to-date drivers. This drive is an SSD physical drive - as is the 1TB primary drive (Disk 0). Both are built in to the computer.
13. Disk 2 is one of my three external USB backup drives. I backup my OS drive and Data drive every day or so onto all my three backup drives. I think I've covered my self pretty well. If not, please tell me what else I can do for backup.
14. I also have a program that I use about once a week onto which I make a file by file (folder by folder) backup. I can get to any file on my computer.
15. I am using Legacy Bios - up-to-date. I don't know what EUFI is or what advantages it has for me. Please tell me if I should (or can) switch to EUFI.
16. NOTE: I have plenty of room on Disk 0 to make a partition and perform a clean install of Window 10. Again, my plan is to make a dual boot machine.
17. I have always used Macrium (free edition) to make my images - and I have multiple CDs as external emergency boot media.
18. If I have two intallations of Window 10 on the same physical drive, I am concerned about what might happen if I decide to delete one of them.
19. Both Disk 1 and Disk 2 are marked Active - and one of you said it shouldn't be. I don't understand - please explain.

I hope I've answered all your questions clearly. If not, Just ask and I'll do the best I can. I'm still learning from you folks - that's great!!!

Bob

 

Ooops - I forgot to attach the jpg of DM. Here it is:

 

Are you also aware of the forum rules which prohibit us from helping you violate the EULA?

Now, that being said - your system partition which contains the boot files that the computer boots from is also your C: drive. So if you should install a second copy of Windows that you purchase a license for and install it to a blank partition, what will happen is that it will install itself as a second OS by modifying the boot files on the current C: drive partition (containing the old Windows installation). When/if you decide to delete that partition, you will also delete the boot files and your computer won't boot anymore until you create new boot files.

Your system partition (see the word system inside the parenthesis of your C: drive partition?) should be the 500mb system reserved partition, not the C: drive partition. You might be able to use EasyBCD to move the system partition to it:
EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies

Changing the Boot Partition

 

I use EasyBCD for a couple of things regarding the Boot Partition. Do I understand you correctly that you're telling my the part that says "(System, etc.) - the System part should be in the 500MB partition? Then, it's in the wrong partition? Any idea how it could have gotten there? I'll take a look at EasyBCD and see if it can be moved - but I won't do anything until I understand from you that I'm doing the correct thing.

No, I wasn't aware that you couldn't help if I was breaking the EULA. Actually, I thought if the other Windows 10 was on the same computer than it wouldn't be breaking the EULA. I'll have to purchase another Windows 10 package.

 

Looked at EasyBCD and don't see anything in there about moving the System part of what's in my C: partition to the System Reserved partition.

 

You might have to assign the System Reserved partition a drive letter in Disk Management.
How To Change a Drive Letter (Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP)

If that works, after you move the system partition to the System Reserved partition, you can go back and remove the drive letter.

 

Then the OS and the System Reserved will all be under one lettered drive. Then, I won't have a C: partition (if I understand you correctly). Could you explain to me what I'm doing and why please? Exactly what is the System Reserved partition? I'm not getting the logic.

 

The system reserved partition is where the boot files are supposed to be. You assign the system reserved partition it's own drive letter, like R. Then you use EasyBCD to move the boot files to the newly created R: drive using the tutorial I linked.

 

Very sorry - but this tutorial is over my head and I need more help

I gave the System Reserved partition the letter "R" - the I got lost because I don't understand the terminology - or where to find what's referenced in the Tutorial.

Where do I find the BOOTMGR (what's it called in EasyBCD)
What is the selected partition (R or C?)
How do I install the bootloader?
What is the boot sector?
What is the MBR of the selected partition?
What is the old boot partition - R?
Update partition references (I assume I can now edit) - but what references do I change to work with the new partition.

 

Of course you`ll have a C partition, when you boot into Windows it`s always C.

The System Reserved partition and the Windows partition are 2 separate partitions, I always create an install partition for Windows so I don`t have a System Reserved partition, I don`t need one and I don`t want one.

Example of my layout, just use Disk 0 as a reference.

 

If you want to know what a System Reserved partition is and what it`s for, just Google it, don`t ask us to explain every little thing for you *Smile ( Not trying to be rude )

You said you installed Windows 10 over Windows 7, where is it, I still don`t see it in your shot of Disk Management ?????

 

All of these questions are totally unnecessary.

And when we say to disconnect all/any other drives, we don`t mean you have to physically remove it, you just pull out the power plug on that drive.

 

Actually, I don't want you to explain every little thing to me as I like to do as much by myself as I can. It's the only way I learn more than I know now. However, in this instance, I'm over my head - even if I look up the terms I don't understand. I can't put the pieces together. I've been looking over EasyBCD and its' options - and the instructions in the link you gave me. I just haven't been able to perform the steps. The steps came from the link you sent me. I don't understand why you now say the questions are unnecessary. I'm stuck! I've been at my computer trying to understand what to do while waiting for a reply.

As for not seeing Windows 10 installed over Windows 7, I again don't know what you mean. When Windows 10 was first released, installing it on top of Windows 7 was one of the option to install it. It was like a repair install - only using Windows 10 instead of Windows 7. I don't know what you're looking for. I am using Windows 10 - but DM still calls it Windows 7. I don't know why. I can easily change the name of the OS in DM - but I can do that after I achieve what I'm trying to do. I want to get to the point where I can safely clean install Windows 10 in a new partition. But I won't purchase it until I'm ready. I don't have the cash to buy it only to let it sit here because my system's not ready. Also, I know to only disconnect the other drive - not physically pull it out of the computer. Perhaps I misworded something. All of this typing could be spared by doing this by phone and, if there's a misunderstanding, it can be corrected instantly. Now, I'm ready to learn - are you willing to teach me?*Biggrin BTW, I can only see that your Disk 0 has two partitions. I can't read anything - it's too small and blurred. You also said "The System Reserved partition and the Windows partition are 2 separate partitions, I always create an install partition for Windows so I don`t have a System Reserved partition, I don`t need one and I don`t want one." See, I wish I knew the answer as to why you said that. I want to learn and would like to know what you meant and why. Thanks for the help so far. Please keep it coming.............

 

Just went through everything again and looked up boot loader. But I'm still stuck on how to use the link to EasyBCD. Without the help (hand holding) I need on this one, I won't succeed unless I find another source to help me.