Windows 10: With a dual boot, can I use programs across OS's?

I'm currently dual-booting Windows 7 and 10, with 10 being the primary. They are both installed on the same SSD, with most programs (basically anything that lets me choose the install path) being installed to a separate HDD. Space isn't the issue, just going to put that out there, it's 480GB with 240GB being allocated to each OS.

My big question is, can I possibly install them while using one OS, but still be able to run them from the other OS without installing them again? I've heard of symbolic and hard links, but I'm still confused about them and their effectiveness. I know you can use them for non-critical files, but how would that work for files used by programs? Wouldn't that theoretically cause problems?

I have a program that allows me to utilize my external USB capture device. It works perfectly for Windows 7, but on 10, some control sliders can't be modified, or the changes don't save, I forget which. Could installing that on one allow me to run it from the other? Or run something like Steam games minus minor setup?

Thanks,
Robert

:)

 

Dual Booting with Windows 8.1


The procedure below will allow you to boot Windows separately or in dual boot configuration.
Here's what I recommend to do:

1. Disconnect the drive containing Windows 8.1
2. Install Windows 10 with one drive connected.
3. After step 2, reconnect the drive containing Windows 8.1
4. Boot up Windows 8.1. Open disk management and take a note of the drive letter of Windows 10 OS.
   NOTE: if you boot up Windows 10, then take a note of Windows 8.1 drive letter
5. Open Admin command prompt and type: bcdboot X:\windows where X: is the drive letter of Windows 10 (Windows 8.1 if you boot from Windows 10 in step 4)
6. Reboot the PC. You should have a dual boot screen.

NOTE: To break off the dual boot setting, Win+R->msconfig->boot and delete the none default entry on the list.

 

Dual Boot?

I can help here iv had both i used partition magic to split my HDD and i installed vista on one and xp was already on the other only problem is id watch out if i were you for some reason vista does not like to dual boot iv seen this on a couple of my machines and my buddys. so step one have xp installed step 2 find a partitioner of your choice i dont know of any except partition magic and the one included on xp...only thing is i dont think the one on xp will even partition them...then pop in your vista DVD and select the drive of your choice....the only thing i can think of that causes vista to hate dual booting sooo much is that when their are 2 OS's installed xp uses its own prog to list them on boot well vista uses a totally diff boot loader than the previous os's and i think they conflict the problems i hade were the standard missing windows folder missing HAL.dll and the nt one dont remember the name.....that and after your done vista and boot into xp things didnt like to start correctly specially if you scan disk with vista.

 

Unable to see Dual Boot option

Hi David,

Thank you for being a part of Windows 10.

I appreciate you for providing details about the issue and we are happy to help you.

I suggest you to follow the below steps to change the OS to default and check if it helps:

• Press Windows + R keys from the Keyboard.
• Type msconfig and hit Enter.
• Click on the Boot tab.
• Select the OS from the list and click on the Set as default.

Reference: Refer to the following Wiki article created by J W Stuart on
How to dual boot Windows 7 and Windows 10 Preview.

How to dual boot Windows 7 and Windows 10 Preview

Kindly let us know if you need any further assistance with Windows. We are glad to assist you.

Thank you.