2 x Windows 10, dual boot ?

Sinx said:

Hello everyone,
Just want to ask if it's possible to have 2 x Windows 10, dual boot. Would that be possible, at all ?
If yes, could i rename one of them, or both, the way i want ?
For example, when i select the OS, it should appear something like

" Windows 10 gaming "
" Windows 10 testing only "

Thank you in advance.

Changing the Friendly Name of a Boot Entry | Microsoft Docs

ThrashZone said:

Hi,
I suppose so I use 2 different ssd's with fall creators on one and regular creators on the other
I use one of these to make it so only one os at a time is live so no violation of terms of use is technically happening meaning one license/ one install.

Not quite... that's the same as a VM... it's still on the same machine.. but it's technicalities that's insignificant, IMHO.

Superfly said:

Not quite... that's the same as a VM... it's still on the same machine.. but it's technicalities that's insignificant, IMHO.

We get this a lot.


At what point are we as a reputable forum obligated to tell a user that using two installs with one licence is against EULA, and user needs a new licence?

MS created the issue with intro of digital licences - how do you use a second licence anyway as 2nd install activates automatically?

A user could enter a second key in change product key to comply with EULA, but this is absurd if it is activated automatically anyway.

It is perfectly legal to uninstall one version, then reinstall other version to flop flop between them. All dual booting does is allow you to flip flop without ridiculous hassle of intalling/uninstalling.

It is high time MS changed EULA to say "One licence means you can only have one instance of Windows active at any one time". So HOST+VM on one licence is not permissible, but dual boot is.

I think as a forum we are being responsible by saying dual booting will work ok, but it is strictly against EULA, and leave it to user's moral conscience thereafter. It is not as if we are recommending piracy.

We are not MS policemen, and are simply stating facts, and even responsibly warning user accordingly.

cereberus said:

We are not MS policemen, and are simply stating facts, and even responsibly warning user accordingly.

Yep, been that way since when... if MS allows it technically, no need for us to stress.

They should enforce validation their side of the EULA T&C's.

Sinx said:

Hello everyone,
Just want to ask if it's possible to have 2 x Windows 10, dual boot. Would that be possible, at all ?
If yes, could i rename one of them, or both, the way i want ?
For example, when i select the OS, it should appear something like

" Windows 10 gaming "
" Windows 10 testing only "

Thank you in advance.

I dual boot with this machine. When I joined the Insiders Program at the very beginning, there was no requirement that I use a Windows 7/8.x license. I just had to join the program. So, I was dual booting with Windows 7 and Windows 10 Insider Program.

Fast forward to when the first RTM came out, I upgraded from Windows 7 Home OEM to Windows 10 RTM, then used my Windows 8.1 key to "keep myself honest" and to upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro.

So, now I have Windows 10 Pro Fall Creators Update and Windows 10 Insider (beta). I am quite sure I'm totally legal, since one is a beta and the other is the full blown commercial OS that I actually used two keys for (7 Home & 8.1 Pro), if you want to get downright technical about it. :)

Just my two cents' worth. After all, I'm doing Microsoft a favor by participating in the beta. And I upgraded to RTM quite legally. So . . .

cereberus said:

We get this a lot.


At what point are we as a reputable forum obligated to tell a user that using two installs with one licence is against EULA, and user needs a new licence?

MS created the issue with intro of digital licences - how do you use a second licence anyway as 2nd install activates automatically?

A user could enter a second key in change product key to comply with EULA, but this is absurd if it is activated automatically anyway.

It is perfectly legal to uninstall one version, then reinstall other version to flop flop between them. All dual booting does is allow you to flip flop without ridiculous hassle of intalling/uninstalling.

It is high time MS changed EULA to say "One licence means you can only have one instance of Windows active at any one time". So HOST+VM on one licence is not permissible, but dual boot is.

I think as a forum we are being responsible by saying dual booting will work ok, but it is strictly against EULA, and leave it to user's moral conscience thereafter. It is not as if we are recommending piracy.

We are not MS policemen, and are simply stating facts, and even responsibly warning user accordingly.

Maybe a case can be made that it's the same OS; however, for me, that doesn't even seem close.

If I'm not mistaken, Microsoft has given me a "license" to Preview Windows 10 as an Insider. Secondly, I used my OEM key and upgraded from Home to Pro by using my Windows 8.1 key. So, it looks to me like I'm perfectly legal.