How to Dual Boot Windows Vista 7 and XP

Do you already have a hard drive with Windows Vista or 7 installed on it and want to install Windows XP on a new partition but do not know how to be able to boot into either or? Here are a few step by step directions on how to accomplish this.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• EasyBCD 1.7.2 which can be downloaded for free at http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1

1. I am assuming you already have 2 different partitions, 1 with Windows Vista/7 installed on it, and the other with Windows XP. Download EasyBCD 1.7.2 at http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1 for free.

2. 
    
   Manage Bootloader

   Run EasyBCD and click on Manage Bootloader. Make sure Reinstall the Vista Bootloader is selected (will work with Windows 7 also) and click Write MBR. This will restore your Windows Vista/7 bootloader and make that boot first, before Windows XP. You can click the uninstall the vista bootloader and write MBR to load Windows XP first.

3. 
    
   Add/Remove Entries

   Next, click Add/Remove Entries. Here you will be adding all operating systems to the bootloader. Under type, select Windows NT/2k/XP/2k3 and click Add Entry. This will add Windows XP to the bootloader, giving you an option upon bootup of selecting whether to boot in either Windows Vista/7 or Windows XP.

Tips & Warnings

• This how to assumes you have created 2 partitions and have installed Windows Vista/7 and Windows XP on them. If you have not done this, please do so first.

[ihatethis]

on 11/11/2009 I have tried repartioning the disk and it works and everything but I find Portlock Leap Frog software much easier to dual-boot my computer, and the coolest thing, is that I don't have to repartion the disk, Portlcok Leap Frog will create a virtual hard disk and install Windows 7 on it and use to dual boot my computer. it is nice and it is faster... http://www.portlock.com/products/leap_frog/