Dual boot setup with pre-installed Windows 10 and cloned Windows 7dows

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 26
    Windows 10 Home SL
       #1

    Dual boot setup with pre-installed Windows 10 and cloned Windows 7dows


    I have a new laptop pre-installed with Windows 10 on a primary m.2 disk.
    It also has an HDD that I divided into partitions.

    Now I have an old laptop that has Windows 7 that holds programs and files that I left behind. I want those programs accessible in a Windows 7 environment. Therefore, I cloned my Windows 7 to a spare partition on my laptop's HDD. Right now, I have Windows 10 on primary SSD and cloned Windows 7 on a partition of secondary HDD.

    However, the problem is that, while the disk cloning process went successfully, it's not bootable. So my question is: how do I make the disk with Windows 7 bootable?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8,057
    windows 10
       #2

    Welcome to the forum. Did win7 have a system partition as well as drive as that will contain the boot files? It won't boot unless the partition is set active so you need the boot files on the win10 boot. The other problem is the drivers will all be wrong if it's come from another PC so it possibly any work anyway
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #3

    ajfudge said:
    However, the problem is that, while the disk cloning process went successfully, it's not bootable. So my question is: how do I make the disk with Windows 7 bootable?
    The first question is: was the Windows 7 that you cloned an OEM licensed Windows 7 (came with the computer) or was it a retail Windows 7 that you purchased a license for. If it was an OEM licensed Windows 7, then moving that to a new computer to dual boot with violates the End Users License Agreement and we can't offer any help to do that.

    If the Windows 7 that you transferred is a full retail copy, then:
    In Windows 10, the Windows 7 partition should have been assigned a drive letter. Let's say it got G:\. Right click on the start icon in Windows 10. Select Command Prompt (Admin). In the Command Prompt (Admin) window enter:

    BCDBOOT G:\Windows /d /addlast

    The path in red will be to the drive letter and Windows folder of the Windows 7 partition. Also recommend turning off Windows 10 fast startup:
    Fast Startup - Turn On or Off in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

    Restart the computer.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 26
    Windows 10 Home SL
    Thread Starter
       #4

    @NavyLCDR
    It was an OEM-licensed Windows 7 Home which was upgraded to Pro version (as I remember, no reinstallation occured). As I understand, the OEM-licensed Windows 7 Home was bound to the old laptop. But since it's upgraded, is it okay to "move" the OS away from its original machine?


    UPDATE 1:
    I tried your suggestion but it resulted into this screen message:
    Reboot and select proper boot device.
    or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key

    UPDATE 2:
    I manage to reach the boot OS selection screen. Tried doing Normal Start but it then says "autocheck not found"
    Also tried to start in Safe Mode, but it only resulted in a very quick BSOD
    Last edited by ajfudge; 28 Jul 2016 at 11:35. Reason: update
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #5

    ajfudge said:
    @NavyLCDR
    It was an OEM-licensed Windows 7 Home which was upgraded to Pro version (as I remember, no reinstallation occured). As I understand, the OEM-licensed Windows 7 Home was bound to the old laptop. But since it's upgraded, is it okay to "move" the OS away from its original machine?
    Then it depends on the type of Windows 7 Pro you purchased. If you purchased a reduced price upgrade from Home to Pro then the Pro license remains OEM. If you purchased a full retail version of Pro, and just installed it as an upgrade, then it is still a full Retail version of Pro.

    I'll give you a little hint: run showkey plus. Either manually enter the product key or run the check backup feature of showkey on the Windows 7 partition. I'll bet you the Windows 7 Pro product key will show as a retail product key - then let your conscience be your guide:
    Showkey - Windows 10 Forums
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 8,057
    windows 10
       #6

    What type of disk are you using ufei, got,mbr as that effects the boot. As explained aside from the licence issue all the driver's will be wrong so it may never work anyway and you didn't answer if 7 had a system partition which would contain boot files
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 26
    Windows 10 Home SL
    Thread Starter
       #7

    @Samuria
    -I'm not sure I understand your question. How do I know the type of disk where Windows 7 was cloned to?

    -My worry also is with regards to the drivers. But I would still like to try to boot Windows 7 in this new machine.

    -If by "partition that contain boot files", do you mean the recovery partition? If that's what you mean, then no, the Recovery partition was already deleted. Just to clarify, back in my old laptop where Windows 7 originally came with, there was only one HDD that has two partitions: one for OS and one for DATA.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 13,896
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #8

    One other small question: My HP Desktop with Win7 Home Premium [which I'm leaving that way] still has the WIndows Anytime Upgrade feature on the Start, All Programs menu, did you use that to go from Home Premium to Professional? If so that may have left it as OEM but as mentioned do check yours out.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 8,057
    windows 10
       #9

    Can you post a screenshot from disk manager so we can see? Win 7 can boot to c drive or it can have boot files on a small often 100 meg system partition the disk type can vary and should show in disk manager adding 7 to the boot process will vary depending on how the disk is setup. A simple way to use both Windows is to use free virtual box and run it as a virtual of that way you don't mess with partitions and boot files
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #10

    It does not matter if you copied the Windows 7 system partition (boot files) or not. You set up dual booting by adding Windows 7 to the boot menu that Windows 10 is booting from using the command I posted.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:05.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums