How to Make a Dual Boot With Windows Vista Over XP

If you want to test a new operating system (OS) without committing to change instantly, dual booting is for you. By making a dual boot with Windows Vista over XP, you can choose either OS every time you start your computer. Just follow these simple steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Windows Vista
• Computer running Windows XP

1. Create a new partition on your primary partition disk. Go to the "Start" menu, and then choose the "Control Panel." Click "System and Maintenance," followed by "Administrative Tools." Click the "Computer Management" button. Choose "Storage," and then "Disk Management."

2. Right-click an unallocated region of your hard disk, and then choose "New Simple Volume." This will open a New Simple Volume Wizard; just press the "Next" button.

3. Allocate the size of the new partition drive: Either type your preferred size or accept the default value. Make sure that the new partition has enough space to satisfy the required hard disk space of Windows Vista.

4. Click "New." In the Format Partition dialog box, you will be asked if you want to format your volume. Choose “Do Not Format This Volume” if you don't want to format it right now, and click "Next" and then "Finish."

5. Install Windows Vista. You'll boot up in XP; now check My Computer for your new partition. Run the Vista installation from your CD-ROM and choose your newly created partition as the installation location. All you have to do from here is follow the instructions provided by the installation wizard.

6. After the successful installation of Vista, your new partition drive will copy all your files. You will be asked to restart your computer. You can now set up your administrative Vista user.

7. Once you restart your computer, you'll be asked if you want to boot XP or Vista. “Microsoft Windows” refers to Vista, and “Earlier Version of Windows" refers to XP. The default choice is Vista, and you have 25 seconds to make another choice, or it automatically chooses Vista.

Tips & Warnings

• Backup all important files before you start partitioning your primary disk.
• Install the earliest operating system first if you are going to install different versions of Windows. Doing otherwise can seriously hurt your computer.
• Refer to the official Microsoft Web site for more information (see Resources below).
• Make sure that you have all your driver disks on hand because Vista might not have the drivers for some computers.