Windows 10: Windows 10 & Windows 7 Dual Boot - Can it be done

Where is the hiberfile.sys. Believe it is a hidden file. Yes, there is a Fast Boot option.

Later ....

Both Fast Boot and Secure Boot are disabled.

 

Open Control Panel and choose File Explorer Options Click the View tab.




Under Hidden files and folders set the radio button to Show hidden files, etc.
Uncheck the next four boxes that start with the word Hide.

Open File Explorer and choose drive C. Do you see a hiberfil.sys file?

 

Forgot about that*Rolleyes Yes, there is a hiberfil.sys.

Must hit the sack. Will be back tomorrow.

 

Open Administrative Command Prompt and type: powercfg -h off and press enter. Check File Explorer and make sure hiberfil.sys is gone. Shutdown and Power up. Hopefully you will see the boot menu.

 

Post image of disk partitions.

If it as I suspect, fixing it is quite easy using Macrium Reflect Free.

 

Yes, that fixed the Boot Menu problem. It begs the question, 'What if you want to use Hibernation?'.
Thank you.

Because of the behaviour I did suspect that it to do with Hibernation. It would appear that the latest instructions from NavyLCDR and powercfg -h off command has fixed the Boot menu issue.

Need to disappear soon but back again this afternoon. Summarising what was required to install Windows 7 and fix the Boot Manu issue is in order.

 

This might be irrelevant now but I will post an image of the Disk Partitions.

 

You are welcome. I glad that you got that issue sorted. As for your last question, I believe that is an issue that Microsoft will have to solve.

 

I can't see how they can solve it any more than they already have really.

If you hibernate then you are saving the state of the OS - that is what is saved to disk plus changes made to that configuration which are in memory - documents that you are in the middle of editing for example.

If you then boot into another OS and change something on disk the hibernation file becomes invalid and your OS would/could get corrupted. It doesn't matter what the other OS is - it can be Windows or WinRE or Linux or anything.

Windows bootloader by design therefore (to save you from yourself) forces boot into any partition with a hiberfil.sys file without giving a choice so you don't screw up your system. This is exactly what you saw here:

If you really wanted to use hibernation with dual boot you would need to use a different bootloader or put the 2 installations on different physical volumes and swap between them in BIOS.

You'd also have to ensure that when booted into Windows 7 for example you could see none of the partitions Windows 10 could see and v.v. This would mean you'd need 2 copies of all your data (as you couldn't have shared partitions).

multi boot - Is it possible to enable hibernation when dual booting Windows? - Super User

 

I follow your explanation. The question I posed was more out of interest rather then need.

Thank you.

 

@lx07
You make some very good points. I think the issue that Nolly1959 experienced here is that he disabled Fast Startup and then he chose Shutdown not Hibernate. When he Powered on he did not see the boot menu and went straight to Windows 10 (as though he had chosen Hibernate). I think with Fast Startup disabled and choosing Shutdown he should have seen the boot menu. This is issue that I was referring too.

 

I said I would provide a full report on what made it possible to dual boot my PC with Windows 10 & Windows 7. Sadly, I cannot remember all the detail so I will say the following. Definitely require that Secure Boot needs to be disabled to be able to boot Windows 7. Fast Boot can be either Enabled or Disabled on my PC; it does not make any difference. The key to arriving where I am came from inputs from NavyLCDR (particularly his final one) and the input from tracit99 regarding hiberfil.sys.

That said, it has been a pleasure to interact with everyone in this thread.

I have been introduced to commands and resources I was not aware of, such as:

MiniTool Partition Wizard & Macrium Reflect.

Also, I have found out probably the best place to download a Windows 7 ISO file from, namely, HeiDoc.net (click on the follwoing link, downlaod the executable and click on it).
Microsoft Windows and Office ISO Download Tool
Finally, I was shown how I could mount the Windows 10 ISO file and copy the contents, to my new Windows 7 partition and add this to the Boot Manager. The final issue was resolved by disabling the hiberfil.sys from Windows 10.

Before marking this thread as solved I would like to know how to achieve the following two items. It was three but I changed the drive letter on on Windows 7 partition from F: to D: without needing help.

1) How do I change the order displayed in the Boot Manager Menu. I currently have.

Windows 7
Windows 10 - This is highlighted indicating that it is the default.

I would like,

Windows 10 - Default
Windows 7

2) How do I get, what I call, the GUI boot option. That is instead of the text, two icons are displayed, one for Windows 10 & the other for Windows 7.

Thank you.

 

Easiest way is to use easybcd to change order and graphics style.

 

Yep!
EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies

Scroll down to the Non-commercial - Free box. You don't really have to register after you click on the register button - it will let you download without registering.

 

@cereberus, @NavyLCDR,

Thanks. I have used EasyBCD before on my Laptop and because I did not understand what I was doing, I screwed things up. I finally managed to repair it (this was last year). I am not certain but don't believe that easyBCD fixed my GUI Boot Menu. That said, I am willing to install it and give it a try. Will do that from Windows 10.