How do I install windows 10 without harming my windows 7?


  1. LeeRex
    Posts : 8
    Windows 7
       New #1

    How do I install windows 10 without harming my windows 7?


    I only have ONE computer...a desktop...yes, it will run windows 10. I want to play around with Windows 10 before giving up Windows 7. Here's what I want to do:

    Install two newly formatted hard drives (500 gb)
    Place Windows 10 on the new hard drives
    Keep my current Windows 7 just as it is
    Keep Windows 10 & 7 separate from one another so that one installation will not contaminate the other.

    Thanks for your thoughtful solutions!
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  3. rive0108
    Posts : 31
    Win 10 x64 Pro
       New #2

    Or you can dual boot
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  4. Boozad
    Posts : 1,625
    W7 Pro x64 | W10 IP x64 | Linux Mint VM
       New #3

    Personally I'd recommend installing W10 on a separate drive, obviously though you'd have to buy a copy of Windows 10 if you're not upgrading your copy of W7. If you do go this route be sure to unplug all other drives whil installing W10.
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  6. Rocky
    Posts : 1,778
    Windows 10 Pro,
       New #4

    Did you buy Windows 10 on sale? How much did you pay?
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  7. topgundcp
    Posts : 2,799
    Linux Mint 20.1 Win10Prox64
       New #5

    Here's what I suggest you to do:
    1. From Windows 7, download & Install Macrium Reflect Free. Connect one of your new 500GB HD and clone your current Windows 7 to it. Follow step 1,2,3 from the screen shot:

    How do I install windows 10 without harming my windows 7?-.png

    1. Disconnect your current Windows 7 then boot up with the new cloned copy of Windows 7
    2. Upgrade it to Windows 10 so it will be fully activated.
    3. If you decide to keep Windows 10 then do a fresh install of Windows 10. If not, disconnect the 500GB HD containing Windows 10 then re-connect your Windows 7
    4. You are back to where it was before.
    Last edited by topgundcp; 06 Aug 2015 at 16:10.
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  8. rjkolo
    Posts : 5
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #6

    Option 1: Download VMware player (free) and find an ISO and install windows 10 that way. You can play with it inside of the virtual environment, decided if you like it or not, then delete the VM and install Windows 10 or keep Windows 7 based on your decision.

    Option 2: Just upgrade to Windows 10 ( you will probably like it) and if you do not like it, you have 30 days to go back to Windows 7 after you upgrade. Windows will allow you to do that, it is built in.
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  9. LeeRex
    Posts : 8
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #7

    Very well thought out solutions...kudos to you all! All direct and to the point. Thanks
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  10. NavyLCDR
    Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       New #8

    rjkolo said:
    Option 2: Just upgrade to Windows 10 ( you will probably like it) and if you do not like it, you have 30 days to go back to Windows 7 after you upgrade. Windows will allow you to do that, it is built in.
    Several people have had failures when attempting to go back to their previous OS. I would not rely upon rollback, but make an image before upgrading with Macrium Reflect.
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  12. LeeRex
    Posts : 8
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #9

    NavyLCDR said:
    Several people have had failures when attempting to go back to their previous OS. I would not rely upon rollback, but make an image before upgrading with Macrium Reflect.
    Worried me a bit, too.RJ's suggestion of a virtual machine sounded good so I'm working with that for the time being. Thanks Commander...Navy guy myself
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