Windows 10: Installing 2nd copy of Win 10 into free space on hard drive

Actually it's an SSD.

How can I be positively sure that I'm doing a fresh install of Win 10 into free space on my SSD, and not wipe out an existing Win 10 install. I want to have two copies of Win 10 on my system.

I have an unused Win 8.1 license so I wnat to install a second copy of Win 10 on my system. I have cleared out free space. I started the install process, but I stopped right away. I want to be absolutely, positively, 100% sure that I would do the install into that free space and not wipe out my existing Win 10 install.

With Win 7, I could tell the installer where I wanted the installer to put the new Windows partition. Can I do the same with Windows 10?

:)

 

Backup did not complete successfully because a shadow copy could not be created. Free up disk space on the drive that you are backing up by deleting unnecessary files and then try again.

This is the error I am getting trying to run a backup in Win 10 pro (1607):

Backup did not complete successfully because a shadow copy could not be created. Free up disk space on the drive that you are backing up by deleting unnecessary files and then try again.

The destination hard drive is an internal hard drive with over 2 time the amount of free hard drive space.

In System I find the error: The server {...} did not register with DCOM within the required timeout.

 

copy hard drive1 with windows 10, paste onto new hard drive (as back up), clean install on hard drive1

hi

i would like to make a copy of everything on my hard drive to have a back up and do a clean install of windows 10.

issue 1

do i have to clone or can i just copy the os c drive onto another hard drive? i do not want to have a compressed file, i would like to have a copy in order to search for any files/programs i may have missed/not saved on a flash drive.

issue 2

my pc was windows 8, upgraded to windows 8.1 then 10 (free). can i do a clean install with just windows 10? or do i have to factory reset and upgrade to windows 10 (free version).

issue 3

do i have to do anything with bios?

issue 4

i have 228gb used space and 692 gb free space and plan to copy the hard drive onto a 350gb, will that work?

 

Format the free space as an NTFS partition. Boot from the Windows 10 installation USB flash drive or DVD. Select the custom install option. Point the Windows installer to the blank NTFS partition you made and click next to install to that partition. It will set up dual booting for you.

 

I also highly recommend labeling your partitions, too. It always helps me keep track, in the event letters change due to the boot process.

 

2nd that. Mine are labeled:

Lenovo Desktop: Lenovo_C, Lenovo_D, Lenovo_E, etc.
Laptop: Laptop_C, Laptop_D
Web server: HP_C, HP_D, HP_E, etc.

Never in doubt this way.

 

If pc was upgraded to windows 10 originally, op will have a digital licence in which case the second version will activate automatically and OP will not need to enter the key (but strictly may not comply with EULA).

Reading between lines, OP wants to upgrade an 8.1 key before end of free period, and if that is the reason, this may not have the desired effect.

OP could enter the 8.1 key in the second instance but as far as I know, you do not get a second digital licence?

If original install of windows 10 was product key based, then entering 8.1 key would would create a digital licence.

We need clarity on

1) how windows 10 was installed originally?

2) why OP is trying to dual boot?

 

The only reason I can see using the Windows 8.1 key is if it were a retail key. Then you would be able to move the key (license) to a different computer.

 

Sure -that is probably why but if original 10 install is already an upgrade, using 8.1 key will not help as the pc will already have a digital licence unless the digital licence is also bound to the 8.1 key as well (which I have never heard of).

People often think upgrading converts an old key to a 10 key. That is not how it works.

 

Scenario:

The OP had a computer with Windows 7/8/8.1 pre-installed from the factory. He upgraded that to Windows 10. Now the OP wants to install a second copy of Windows 10 for whatever reason he wants - it doesn't matter. He has an unused Windows 8.1 license/product key. Is the OP not entitled to run two upgrades to Windows 10? The first based on the license of the pre-installed Windows that came with the computer, and the second based on the license of the additional Windows 8.1 license/product key?

Yes, both copies of Windows 10 on that computer will say "Activated with a digital entitlement." And yes, both copies of Windows 10 may very well be activated with the same digital entitlement. But that isn't the OP's problem or concern. Microsoft takes him to court and he shows the judge/jury the original Windows license that came with the computer and he shows them the second external license/product key. Two licenses for Windows = rights to have two copies of Windows installed.

Remember, Microsoft considers a partition to be a separate device. The OP can have two devices running on the same computer. So, therefore, Microsoft is obligated to upgrade both of those devices for free to Windows 10 before July 29th. Partition 1 with the OEM Windows that came with the computer and partition 2 with the Windows from the external license/product key. If Microsoft did not make provisions for keeping those two digital entitlements for Windows 10 seperate from each other - that is not the OPs problem or concern.

 

Sure assuming his intent was to do as above, but a lot of people think doing this "upgrades" the old key, giving a new W10 key which we know is not the case. Just seeking clarity on OP's intent.

Of course, I could be wrong and you can get two digital licences - I bet that would confuse the new Redstone activation troubleshooter :-D!

 

I can see your point. When the OP stated "I have an unused Windows 8.1 license," since he was specific enough to say unused I would assume he knows that a license for Windows 7/8/8.1 is "used" when it is upgraded to Windows 10 - for as long as the Windows 10 is installed.

 

NavyLCDR has pretty much described my situation. The system is a Lenovo Laptop, Win 7 pre-installed. I have a spare Win 8.1 key from the Microsoft Partners program. My company used to be in that program. I never did install Win 8 ...

Why two copies of Windows? So I can test out "trialware" and the like while not cluttering my main Windows partition with all kinds of digital detritus. I like a stable system. *Smile

 

Use a Virtual Machine for testing, much better than dual booting I think. I use Oracle VirtualBox for this as well as installing and testing the latest Insider Preview of Windows 10.

 

I just want to save SOLVED! I know the quote is from an early part of this thread, but I also want to say that it's a real timesaver going straight to Win 10, instead of having to install win 8.1 and then doing the upgrade.