How to Make an Old Version of Windows the Default Boot Option in Windows 7
With a new system such as Windows 7, users often opt to install a previous version alongside it for compatibility reasons. Changing the default boot system, the version of Windows that starts when the computer is turned on, can be more challenging than with previous versions. Users of previous systems should be aware that the boot.ini file no longer works as of Windows Vista. Instead, this system has been replaced with the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) system.
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Instructions
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Run an administrative command prompt by going to the Start menu and then "All Programs," followed by the "Accessories" folder. Right-click the "Command Prompt" option, and select "Run as Administrator" from the context menu. Failure to run as Administrator will result in an error when running the bcdedit command. If you are a Windows XP user, go to the next step; if you use Vista, skip to Step 3.
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You may want to change the default entry of "Earlier Version of Windows" in the boot menu if you are an XP user. In the command prompt, type the following command, including quotation marks but not the period, followed by the Enter key: bcdedit /set {legacy} Description "Microsoft Windows XP." The text between the quotation marks may be changed to any description according to user needs.
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Set the previous Windows version as the default by typing the following command at the command prompt and then pressing the Enter key: bcdedit /default {legacy}. (Do not include the period.)
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Check the configuration to ensure that the appropriate changes were made. Type the following command, excluding the period, at the command prompt, and then press the Enter key: bcdedit. In the "Windows Legacy Loader" section, the {current} label should visible next to the word "identifier."
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Tips & Warnings
If setting up a dual-boot system between Windows XP and Windows 7, it's easier to install Windows 7 last. Since Windows Vista uses the same BCD system as Windows 7, installing it after Windows 7 will not create a problem.
Care should be taken to enter the commands exactly as shown. Entering the wrong command can remove an operating system as a choice or make it impossible to boot into either system.
