Another Dual Boot Question

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 12
    w5.1, 5.2, 6.1, server 6.1, 10.0
       #1

    Another Dual Boot Question


    Diehard w7 user here.

    My system is 3 year old homebuilt (an Asrock z370 extreme4 with a 500gb Adata sz8200 m2 SSD). The drive is about 65% full and some of my programs (specifically ACT) cant be re-activated so I need to keep the ssd intact.

    But, I'm forced into installing w10 as it seems Intuit made the 2020 version of turbotax incompatible with w7. But that's for another rant.

    What I'm wondering is: Should I remove the existing m2 SSD and just pop a second m2 SSD into the other available slot, Install and activate the latest w10 version, then re-install the other w7 m2? I'm presuming the OS would then recognize the two and give me a choice at boot which OS I wanted to boot to.

    Also I distinctly remember there was an issue with running w7 on a z370 with the m2 drive, a bios setting if I remember that probably has to remain unchanged. Does that ring a bell for anyone?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #2

    Why not just drop in a SATA 2.5" SSD to run Windows 10 from?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       #3

    You`d set 1 OS as your default, then use the Boot Menu to boot into the other OS when you need to.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 12
    w5.1, 5.2, 6.1, server 6.1, 10.0
    Thread Starter
       #4

    NavyLCDR said:
    Why not just drop in a SATA 2.5" SSD to run Windows 10 from?
    Thanks for the arrow pointing @NavyLCDR, that would work as well. But in in either case would it be better to remove the existing m2 before loading the new OS onto the fresh SSD or is that unnecessary?

    AddRAM said:
    You`d set 1 OS as your default, then use the Boot Menu to boot into the other OS when you need to.
    @AddRAM, Yes, that's what I figured. Ive seen systems with multiple OS showing on boot menu before, just never had the need to set it up myself. At what point of the install would I be setting which OS is the default?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 41,412
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #5

    Please use this tutorial as a reference for Windows 10:

    Dual Boot Windows 10 with Windows 7 or Windows 8
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 928
    Win 10
       #6

    But, I'm forced into installing w10 as it seems Intuit made the 2020 version of turbotax incompatible with w7. But that's for another rant.
    Use the online web version.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #7

    If you know how to do it, you can install Windows 10 one any physical drive in the system and either set up a dual boot Windows Boot Manager menu, or make the physical drive independently bootable and selectable from the BIOS boot menu - without disconnecting any other drives. You just have to know how.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       #8

    NavyLCDR said:
    If you know how to do it, you can install Windows 10 one any physical drive in the system and either set up a dual boot Windows Boot Manager menu, or make the physical drive independently bootable and selectable from the BIOS boot menu - without disconnecting any other drives. You just have to know how.
    That`s exactly what I`m saying, you don`t need any 3rd party boot menu, you just use the Bios to set your Default OS drive to number 1 on the list, your other OS drive number 2. Then windows will always boot into your default OS unless you use the one time boot menu key (usually F8) to bring up the boot menu, and choose the other OS drive when you want to use it.

    The MOST important thing is to have only the one drive hooked up when you install windows, then take it out and install the other drive, then install windows on it. This way you have 2 totally separate installs that will boot on their own totally independent from each other.

    That is a true dual boot.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 12
    w5.1, 5.2, 6.1, server 6.1, 10.0
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Porthos said:
    Use the online web version.
    @Porthos, Thanks for the idea. Problem with that is Intuit only provides up to the Premier version on-line. With my tax needs I need to use not only the Home & Business version but also the straight up Business version.

    I need to take some time to read thru the install link, but it looks like one of the answers to my OP is to pull the existing OS m.2 before installing (to eliminate errors caused by a failed chair to keyboard interface).
      My Computer


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

    AddRAM said:
    The MOST important thing is to have only the one drive hooked up when you install windows, then take it out and install the other drive, then install windows on it. This way you have 2 totally separate installs that will boot on their own totally independent from each other.
    Removing or disconnecting drives is a workaround for people who don't know how to control Windows 10 installations in multi-disk environments. To me it is much easier just to take control of the installation process rather than to tear a laptop apart to remove the second drive, or in my desktop computer that has 3 M.2 SSDs installed to pull out two of the SSDs.
      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 18:46.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums