How to Dual Boot Windows 8.1 and Windows 7

You're a little ' curious about this new Windows 8.1. But you're also a little ' fear, at the same time , because you have heard that it is a big change like the old Windows 7. Fear not, there is a way to test the waters , while maintaining its tried and true system software by creating a dual-boot system . Installing Windows 8.1 in this way gives you a clear choice at the start of screen clean version of the operating system that you want to use.

So, how do you accomplish this ? It really is not much more difficult than the ' typical installation of Windows , with a couple of preparatory steps before starting the ' actual installation . Follow the steps below and you will be able to switch from one operating system at will. A preliminary note , though: this dual-boot configuration only works with Windows 7 and Vista : To establish a multi-boot system with Windows XP or Ubuntu , you need a multi -boot of others, such as the excellent EasyBCD by NeoSmart Technologies .

Step 1: Back Up! 

Groped Before this, however, you should back up your existing Windows PC. You never know what will happen when installing a new operating system. At least one of all your photos, videos and documents. Is preferable backup complete disk image, however. Windows 7 has a backup function built to protect data files, but also for the image backup, you need a third party software, such as our Editors' Choice.

Step 2: Partition

You will need to create a partition at least 16 GB (20 GB for 64-bit Windows 8.1) on its side next to Windows 8.1 and 7 installation. To do this, type "Disk Management" in the text box of the Start button, which displays a "Create and format hard disk partitions" at the top of the Home panel. Click on to open the Disk Management utility. You will probably have two partitions. Click on the largest, and select Shrink Volume from the context menu.

 

Displays a dialog box "Query Shrink space" for a while "and then another message tells you how much free space can be extracted from the drive in MB. Enter larger than 16 GB for 32-bit version of Windows 8.1 and more than 20 GB for 64-bit flavor, then press the Zoom Out button. This will create an unassigned section equal to the size selected in the table at the bottom of the window. let it go, for now, we will leave install the Windows 8.1 program to take from here.

STEP 3: Download the Installer

Now is the time to really get your copy of Windows 8.1, in the form of a disc to ISO image file downloaded. There are several ways to do this, which I explained in How to download Windows 8.1. You can download Windows 8.1 8.1 preview page Download Microsoft Windows preview. You can choose between 32-bit and 64-bit, since most modern PCs are 64-bit, which is a better choice. Use recording capabilities of disk images to create a DVD to install Windows 7 from the ISO file (Burn image to disk by clicking on the shortcut menu), or you can create a bootable USB stick with the Windows 7 USB / DVD Download Tool is need to boot from the upgrade disk or USB drive: You can create a dual-boot system, start the Windows installation while it is running.

Step 4: Run the Windows 8.1 Installer

Pop in the installation DVD or USB burning is ready and restart your PC. Choose your language, then "Install Now". You need a product key that corresponds to your installer ISO. To preview the installation of Windows 8.1, for example, the key is NTTX3-RV7VB-T7X7F-WQYYY-9Y92F. Accept the software license, and after this, select Custom, do not upgrade. Now is when you have the option of the partitions, click "Drive options (advanced)" and select the unallocated space we created in step 2. Then, click New from the options icons smaller units. Accept the displayed size and click Apply.
 


We now have a newly formatted partition to install Windows 8 on. Hit Next, and the setting is off and running. Go grab a coffee or another bite of your choice, it takes about 20 minutes. Note that there was no specific option to create a multi-boot configuration and you used a separate partition, which is automatically activated.

Step 5: Restart Your New System

The system will reboot to Windows 8.1, when you go through the usual options premiere choice of a color model, WiFi and Microsoft account. But the next time you restart your PC, you will see the options screen shown at the beginning of this article.




By default, this screen displays for 30 seconds, and then start Windows 8.1. To change the default settings for the previous operating system, select "Edit Default or other options" at the bottom of this multi-boot screen. Here you can change the timer value and the operating system boot by default. You can also use the tools to solve problems such as restoration or recovery of PC, and also has access to the advanced options, such as system recovery and prompt.

Now is the time to play with their new operating system, which has greatly improved in version 8.1. For more information on how to obtain, install and Windows 8.1, see PCMag's hands on with Windows 8.1 preview, slide show, and see how to download Windows 8.1.