Multi Boot Questions
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- UraniumLounger
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Multi Boot Questions
Anticipating the arrival of my reserved copy of Windows 10, I've started thinking about setting up a dual boot or even a multi-boot system. As you might recall, I recently installed a 250GB SSD with Win 7 HPE as the OS. There is a significant amount of free space, but probably not enough to install Windows 10 on the same drive. From what I've read here (and I could be wrong), it is possible to install multiple operating systems (eg, Win 7, Win 10, UBUNTU) and that it is not necessary to have them all on the same physical device - different partitions are a must, but different devices can be accommodated, if I understand what I've read correctly.
Can anyone confirm or deny this and point me to a good article on multi-boot systems?
The articles I've read describe reinstalling the older copy of Windows before installing a newer version of Windows. These were mostly articles describing moving up from XP or Vista to Win 7. Does this mean that I must reinstall Win 7 before installing Win 10?
I have never run a dual boot system, much less a multi-boot one. Having no experience, I would like to learn a great deal more before jumping in.
Can anyone confirm or deny this and point me to a good article on multi-boot systems?
The articles I've read describe reinstalling the older copy of Windows before installing a newer version of Windows. These were mostly articles describing moving up from XP or Vista to Win 7. Does this mean that I must reinstall Win 7 before installing Win 10?
I have never run a dual boot system, much less a multi-boot one. Having no experience, I would like to learn a great deal more before jumping in.
Bob's yer Uncle
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- gamma jay
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
Some HowTo Geek links (clear, concise and full of screen shots)... the way I like it
-- Dual Booting Explained: How You Can Have Multiple Operating Systems on Your Computer
-- How to Dual-Boot Two (or More) Versions of Windows
-- The Best Articles for Creating a Dual-Boot PC or Tablet
-- ...and one more nice detailed article...
-- Dual Booting Explained: How You Can Have Multiple Operating Systems on Your Computer
-- How to Dual-Boot Two (or More) Versions of Windows
-- The Best Articles for Creating a Dual-Boot PC or Tablet
-- ...and one more nice detailed article...
Last edited by Rudi on 01 Aug 2015, 20:38, edited 1 time in total.
Regards,
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
Rudi
If your absence does not affect them, your presence didn't matter.
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- UraniumLounger
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
Thanks, Rudi!
That's a bit to chew on and digest.
That's a bit to chew on and digest.
Bob's yer Uncle
Dell Intel Core i5 Laptop, 3570K,1.60 GHz, 8 GB RAM, Windows 11 64-bit, LibreOffice,and other bits and bobs
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- 4StarLounger
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
Bob, if you do decide on a dual boot scenario, note Jay Freedman's advice in this post regarding licensing issues.
John
A Child's Mind, Once Stretched by Imagination...
Never Regains Its Original Dimensions
A Child's Mind, Once Stretched by Imagination...
Never Regains Its Original Dimensions
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- UraniumLounger
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
Good catch, John!Rebel wrote:Bob, if you do decide on a dual boot scenario, note Jay Freedman's advice in this post regarding licensing issues.
This must be another of Microsoft's poor decisions, IMNSHO, affecting many of their products. Surely they must know that most of us 'simpletons' prefer to get to know the new software while retaining our safety net of familiarity with the old.
MS should change this forthwith. I shall probably not upgrade to Win 10 for some time just because of this issue.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Bob's yer Uncle
Dell Intel Core i5 Laptop, 3570K,1.60 GHz, 8 GB RAM, Windows 11 64-bit, LibreOffice,and other bits and bobs
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- 4StarLounger
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
I think this policy has always been in effect Bob. While I'm sure that some have found ways to circumvent it, it is my understanding that an upgrade to a newer OS (or other software for that matter) transfers your license (and thus your right to use it) from the older version to the newer version.
John
A Child's Mind, Once Stretched by Imagination...
Never Regains Its Original Dimensions
A Child's Mind, Once Stretched by Imagination...
Never Regains Its Original Dimensions
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- 3StarLounger
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
Surely Microsoft is entitled to protect its commercial interests; after all Windows 10 is an operating system, replacing Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, not a complex specialist application. And it is FREE!BobH wrote: This must be another of Microsoft's poor decisions, IMNSHO, affecting many of their products. Surely they must know that most of us 'simpletons' prefer to get to know the new software while retaining our safety net of familiarity with the old. MS should change this forthwith. I shall probably not upgrade to Win 10 for some time just because of this issue.
I found the trial version of Windows 10 installed on my second notebook computer (now in its seventh year) to be docile (it didn't bite me!) and easy to manage. Today, I have installed the upgrade and apart from a slightly pedestrian response, no doubt due to its elderly hardware and somewhat basic specification, it is working very well although yet to be fully explored.
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- SilverLounger
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
@BobH,
There has not been any change with regard to keys and upgrading. If you wish to test Windows 10 you can do two things. Enroll or remain in the Insider Preview. Preview versions get their own key and expire after a certain time period. OR you can get a 90 day free trial at Windows 10 Enterprise Evaluation.
Joe
There has not been any change with regard to keys and upgrading. If you wish to test Windows 10 you can do two things. Enroll or remain in the Insider Preview. Preview versions get their own key and expire after a certain time period. OR you can get a 90 day free trial at Windows 10 Enterprise Evaluation.
Joe
Joe
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- UraniumLounger
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
This is the first time I've ever wanted to do an evaluation before upgrading my OS. Usually, I hang back a year or more then upgrade when I hit some limitation in my setup that requires it. That is probably why the upgrade treatment has never registered with me.
In the case of Win10, I would just like to install it to get the look and feel before committing to it. I have the download but will wait a good bit before trying to upgrade. Does anyone know if there is a time limit within which the free upgrade to 10 might expire?
In the case of Win10, I would just like to install it to get the look and feel before committing to it. I have the download but will wait a good bit before trying to upgrade. Does anyone know if there is a time limit within which the free upgrade to 10 might expire?
Bob's yer Uncle
Dell Intel Core i5 Laptop, 3570K,1.60 GHz, 8 GB RAM, Windows 11 64-bit, LibreOffice,and other bits and bobs
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- Administrator
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
The offer for a free upgrade lasts for one year after the release date of July 29, 2015. So you have until July of next year.
Best wishes,
Hans
Hans
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- UraniumLounger
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
Thanks, Hans!
I should make up my mind by then.
I should make up my mind by then.
Bob's yer Uncle
Dell Intel Core i5 Laptop, 3570K,1.60 GHz, 8 GB RAM, Windows 11 64-bit, LibreOffice,and other bits and bobs
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- UraniumLounger
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
I agree completely, Malcolm; but the fact is that I purchased 3 licenses with my Windows 7 HPE purchase and currently use only one of them. It seems to me that should entitle me to run both Win 7 and Win 10 on a dual boot machine. Surely, I am entitled to enjoy the benefits of my purchase when nothing I do or plan to do violates my purchase agreement with Microsofat.MalcolmWalker wrote: Surely Microsoft is entitled to protect its commercial interests; after all Windows 10 is an operating system, replacing Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, not a complex specialist application. And it is FREE!
I found the trial version of Windows 10 installed on my second notebook computer (now in its seventh year) to be docile (it didn't bite me!) and easy to manage. Today, I have installed the upgrade and apart from a slightly pedestrian response, no doubt due to its elderly hardware and somewhat basic specification, it is working very well although yet to be fully explored.
Bob's yer Uncle
Dell Intel Core i5 Laptop, 3570K,1.60 GHz, 8 GB RAM, Windows 11 64-bit, LibreOffice,and other bits and bobs
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- SilverLounger
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
If you have three licenses you can use one to upgrade to Win10 and then use another to continue to run Win7.
Joe
Joe
Joe
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- UraniumLounger
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
Thanks, Joe!JoeP wrote:If you have three licenses you can use one to upgrade to Win10 and then use another to continue to run Win7.
Joe
Does that mean that I would have to replace the currently installed Win7 HPE with Win 10 then install Win 7 again?
Bob's yer Uncle
Dell Intel Core i5 Laptop, 3570K,1.60 GHz, 8 GB RAM, Windows 11 64-bit, LibreOffice,and other bits and bobs
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- SilverLounger
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
Not necessarily. You ought to consider upgrading to Win10, installing a free hypervisor such as VirtualBox or VMware, installing Win7 a VM. Then you have just one OS interacting with and controlling the hardware. You can have multiple OSes running concurrently if you need to.
Joe
Joe
Joe
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- UraniumLounger
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
That's something I'll have to look into.JoeP wrote:Not necessarily. You ought to consider upgrading to Win10, installing a free hypervisor such as VirtualBox or VMware, installing Win7 a VM. Then you have just one OS interacting with and controlling the hardware. You can have multiple OSes running concurrently if you need to.
Joe
My signature line describes my system. Do you think I have enough RAM and Cycles to run a VM machine?
Bob's yer Uncle
Dell Intel Core i5 Laptop, 3570K,1.60 GHz, 8 GB RAM, Windows 11 64-bit, LibreOffice,and other bits and bobs
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- SilverLounger
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
Looks OK. You've got plenty to run a VM but all depends on what you will be doing concurrently.
Joe
Joe
Joe
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- UraniumLounger
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Re: Multi Boot Questions
Thanks, Joe!
I'm going to give this some thought and investigate a bit more. I don't really NEED to run multiple virtual machines, but the idea intrigues me enough to experiment with it.
I'm going to give this some thought and investigate a bit more. I don't really NEED to run multiple virtual machines, but the idea intrigues me enough to experiment with it.
Bob's yer Uncle
Dell Intel Core i5 Laptop, 3570K,1.60 GHz, 8 GB RAM, Windows 11 64-bit, LibreOffice,and other bits and bobs
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