Windows 10 no longer dual boots properly


  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
       #1

    Windows 10 no longer dual boots properly


    Okay, I've clearly managed to mess something up, but here goes...

    Prior to a couple days ago, my system was setup in a dual boot configuration, with Windows 8.1 (not set as Default, but technically my "primary"), and the Windows 10 Technical Preview (Default) which I used to play around with as a sort of clean work environment. OS's were installed on physically separate drives.

    A couple days ago, I successfully updated my 8.1 installation to 10. Dual boot still functioned properly, although this upgrade reset the 8.1-now-10 to Default OS.

    Shortly after, I decided to wipe the Technical Preview drive, and do a clean install of the now-released 10, and reset my whole little work environment. After installation was completed, I immediately noticed that no boot menu presented itself, even for a moment. Additionally, in the Advanced System Options/Startup & Recovery, no other OS choices appear.

    For some odd reason, there was ONE thing I did differently during this installation though:
    Normally, on a clean install, I will delete ALL existing partitions on a given target drive, and allow the setup to recreate them. However, this time -- possibly because the new-ness of 10 had me slightly confused -- I deleted only the primary data partition that contained the Tech Preview install, but left the System Reserved and OEM Reserved partitions.
    I'm unsure if this is the source of my troubles or not.

    Regardless, as of right now, I'm unable to access my original 10-upgraded installation, and would greatly appreciate some help in getting this restored.

    As I'm sitting on a clean install of my 2nd OS, I've no problems with wiping it and trying again, but I thought I'd wait for a little expert advice first.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,799
    Linux Mint 20.1 Win10Prox64
       #2

    A screenshot of disk management would help to identify the problem.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Windows 10 no longer dual boots properly-disk_man1.png

    Although it's probably obvious, Disk 0 is the current Clean 10 install, and Disk 2 is the other 10 upgrade install.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    No ideas? Anyone?
    Short of physically disconnecting Drive 0, I've no idea how to get back to my other OS. (And I'm not keen on the idea of having to install a swappable bay to get around this issue for now.)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,799
    Linux Mint 20.1 Win10Prox64
       #5

    From what I saw. Disk 0 is your new upgrade to Windows 10 and Disk 2 is the other Windows 10. Disk 1 should be marked as inactive.
    From the upgraded Windows 10. Open the Admin Command Prompt and type:
    bcdboot E:\Windows
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Thank you for the response.
    Just prior to reading it, I poked around with EasyBCD and -- while not the pretty graphical interface it once was -- was able to add back the option for the upgraded 10. (I was stuck in the clean install.) It booted slow as snot, and for a moment, I thought I was in for a host of other issues, but once it settled, I switched back and forth a couple times to make sure it stuck. All seems well for the moment.
    Thank you all for the assist.
    Marking as Solved for now. :)
      My Computer


 

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