Is it possible to transfer files through dual boot?

victorpaes · 08 Apr 2019

Hello! This is my first post on the forum. I want some help about how dual boot works. My PC is running Windows 10, but I'm having some problems with the OS and I need to format it, but my Desktop does not have CD/DVD drive and I need to create a bootable pen drive. This is not a problem, but if I do that, I have no place to save the files that are in my pen drive and in the system itself. I have a lot of documents, photos and other important things and I don't want to lost it. It will be too difficult to me to save everything in the cloud. Then I was wondering if it is possible to transfer files through dual boot. I intend to create a new partition where I will install Windows 7. Then I wonder if I will be able to access the files that are in Windows 10 through the Windows 7. It will save a lot of my time and I will be able to format the system without loosing anything.

Then, is it possible? Thanks in advance!

Try3 · 09 Apr 2019

Yes, you can access files across the OSs. Just by way of example, I use the same relocated user folders for both OSs on a dual-boot Windows XP - Windows 10.

Just being able to access files in both OSs does not mean they are safely backed up, merely accessible.

It would be extremely risky to ignore the need to backup your files. And setting up a dual-boot is a major operation that I would not recommend unless your backups are safe already.

Dual-boot is not a solution to your backing up problem.

Denis

NavyLCDR · 09 Apr 2019

Ummm..... why not just buy a second USB flash drive?

But...if you can't do that for some reason, what I would do is shrink the existing partition by however much space you need for data storage. Create a separate partition at the end of the drive for the data files. Then when you re-install Windows you can delete all of the partitions in front of the data partition and install Windows to the unallocated space. Your data storage partition will be unaffected (so long as you don't accidentally delete it).

Technically, to dual boot two copies of the same Windows violates the End User License Agreement. You need two separate licenses for Windows to dual boot.