Dual Boot Win 10 Pro and Win 7 Pro

PatDee · 17 Aug 2017

Hi All, nice to be on board.
I have a home built machine (specs entered when creating this account). I had a Dual boot system working like a dream, Win 10 Pro installed first (through upgrade a few months back) and then I created a separate partition and successfully installed Win 7 Pro (this was done for legacy reasons as win 10 didn't have driver support for my external M-Audio Delta1010 sound card.)
However I had to do a full reset of Win 10 and since then, when I boot my machine, Win 7 is no longer an option to boot from, it's missing the machine boots straight to Win 10. The partition and win 7 is still there, but the option to boot to win 7 is missing at startup.

Any Idea on how to get it back?

Thanks in advance.

xXWhackerXx · 17 Aug 2017

wipe both partitions and make sure you install 7 first. always install the older so first.

cereberus · 17 Aug 2017

xXWhackerXx said:

wipe both partitions and make sure you install 7 first. always install the older so first.

No way. Total overkill after the event.

OP - boot into windows 10, and see what drive is the windows 7 OS partition.

Then from an admin command prompt, type

BCDBOOT X:\WINDOWS /ADDLAST

where X is the drive letter for Windows 7 OS partition.

If you want the windows 10 dual boot menu GUI, easiest way is to install easybcd and select edit boot menu options, and set as below,setting timer as you wish

Dual Boot Win 10 Pro and Win 7 Pro-image.png

xXWhackerXx · 17 Aug 2017

it's not overkill. you should always install the oldest os first. i do strongly suggest the op correct his install order.

NavyLCDR · 17 Aug 2017

xXWhackerXx said:

it's not overkill. you should always install the oldest os first. i do strongly suggest the op correct his install order.

I'm with @cereberus, your suggestion is absolutely not necessary.

cereberus · 17 Aug 2017

xXWhackerXx said:

it's not overkill. you should always install the oldest os first. i do strongly suggest the op correct his install order.

Of course it is total overkill. Sure, it is advisable to install older one first, then new one BUT NOT ESSENTIAL with windows 7 onwards.

After the event, it is easy enough to fix things as I show - Takes 15 mins max including downloading and installing easybcd.

Do not give such overkill advice unless you actually know what you are talking about and the ramifications of not following that advice, which is basically only a few minutes of effort needed.

NavyLCDR · 17 Aug 2017

And the only thing gained by any extra effort is a pretty graphical boot menu.

lx07 · 17 Aug 2017

NavyLCDR said:

And the only thing gained by any extra effort is a pretty graphical boot menu.

Which you can change anyway...

BootMenupolicy legacy - gives you F8 boot menu option, Displaybootmenu yes - gives you the black 7 style loader.

Enable or Disable F8 Advanced Boot Options in Windows 10 Windows 10 Performance Maintenance Tutorials

PatDee · 17 Aug 2017

cereberus you were bang on bcdedit did it, very simple and effective. Back where I need to be in 15 minutes. A Pint of the Black Stuff (Guinness) for you, in case you don't know what that is. Thanks for your help Whacker.

So one happy camper here. Case Closed. Thanks cereberus

cereberus · 17 Aug 2017

PatDee said:

cereberus you were bang on bcdedit did it, very simple and effective. Back where I need to be in 15 minutes. A Pint of the Black Stuff (Guinness) for you, in case you don't know what that is. Thanks for your help Whacker.

So one happy camper here. Case Closed. Thanks cereberus

I certainly know what LIffey Water is. Been to Erin many times.

Three rules of marriage:
1) never marry redhead - they have a fiery temper
2) never marry an Irish Lady - they have a fiery temper
3) and under no circumstance, marry an Irish red-head (Guess what I did - LOL)!

Regarding Liffey Water

There are only two things that should be added to Liffey Water:
1) More Liffey Water
2) Champagne (50% by volume) - aka Black Velvet - Pure but seriously dangerous Nectar)!