How to Dual Boot With Windows Vista Already Installed on a 2009 Sony Laptop

Create unallocated space on your hard disk to install another OS.

Windows 7 was released to retail manufacturers in October of 2009. Prior to that date, Sony laptops released in 2009 had Vista installed as the primary operating system. The system requirements to run Windows 7 and Windows Vista are almost identical; 2009 Sony laptops with Windows Vista installed should be able to run Windows 7 without much trouble.



To dual boot Windows Vista and Windows 7 on your laptop, use Windows utilities to reconfigure your drive, and then install the new operating system to the hard drive.

Instructions

1. Log in to Windows on your Sony laptop as an administrator. Click "Start." Right click "Computer." Select "Manage" from the contextual menu.

2. Choose "Disk Management" from the left pane. Right click the partition installed with Vista. Click "Shrink Volume."

3. Enter "20000," (approximately 20 gigabytes) at minimum, into the highlighted field. Click "Shrink" to reduce the size of the active partition and create available space to store Windows 7.

4. Insert your Windows 7 DVD into the disc drive. Choose "Run setup.exe" from the dialog box. Click "Install Now."

5. Connect to the internet. Click "Go online to get the latest updates for installation." If you are unable to sign online, click "Do not get the latest updates for installation."

6. Read the license terms. Check "I accept the license terms," then click "Next" to continue the installation.

7. Click "Custom." Click the disk labeled "Unallocated Space." Click "Next." Click "OK." Follow the remaining onscreen directions to install Windows 7 to your hard drive and create a dual boot system with Windows Vista on your Sony laptop.

Tips & Warnings

• If AutoPlay does not appear after inserting the Windows 7 DVD into your disc drive, click "Start." Click "Computer." Double click your disc drive. Double click "setup.exe."

• If you have Windows 7 saved to your USB drive, insert the flash drive into your computer instead and run setup.exe from USB.

• Download and run the Windows 7 Update Advisor to confirm that your 2009 Sony laptop is ready for the new operating system.

• Before purchasing Windows 7, review the details of your current operating system. Click "Start." Right click "Computer." Click "Properties." Check which edition of Windows is installed to your PC to find out whether your computer runs on a 32-bit processor or a 64-bit processor.

References

• APC: How to Dual Boot Windows Vista and Windows 7 (Windows Vista Installed First)
• Microsoft: Installing and Reinstalling Windows 7

Resources

• Microsoft: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor