Need help to PROPERLY install dual boot: Windows 10 & Windows 10

topgundcp · 18 Nov 2017

my post was not referring to running setup.exe in a WinPE environment. It was referring to running setup.exe from a fully installed and running Windows environment. I believe that was a misunderstanding.

@NavyLCDR
Yes, indeed that was a misunderstanding on my part. However, in post #8 step 3. Whether OP wants to run setup directly or from an installation media, the result will be the same. In fact, running directly may be a little faster to copy the ~Windows.BT or whatever it's called to the partition and on next reboot, everything will be run and setup from it.

Anyway, steps #1 & #2 should be done before install new Windows.

Kyhi · 18 Nov 2017

It is so much easier to just APPLY the Install.wim to the - first, second, third, fourth, etc, or whatever partition
then just run a command > bcdboot %driveletter%:\windows < to make the partition bootable

Setup.exe is a dinosaur

NavyLCDR · 18 Nov 2017

Kyhi said:

It is so much easier to just APPLY the Install.wim to the - first, second, third, fourth, etc, or whatever partition
then just run a command > bcdboot %driveletter%:\windows < to make the partition bootable

Setup.exe is a dinosaur

That's the way I do my installs.

Nisko · 18 Nov 2017

OK, I don't think I'm confused - but I'd first like to make my drives active/inactive as appropriate before I install the second installation of Windows 10 - just to clean up what I already have. When I've done that, I'll post another screenshot of my DM. I'd also like to learn the difference between active and inactive for the future. Thanks to all of you. For me, one step at a time. If there's an easier way to perform this install, I'm all ears. @topgundcp and @kyhi - thanks for jumping in. I have two reasons for the clean install:

1. Ever since I installed W10 on top of W7, I've had problems with the Desktop and a few other glitches. I have so many apps that I've avoided the clean install. If I could fix the glitches, I'd be a very happy camper. But I'd still do the clean install.

2. I'm due for a clean install anyway and have the disk space to have both running while I perform the clean install.

Kyhi · 18 Nov 2017

From command prompt (admin) type the following commands 1 line at a time

Code:

Diskpart
list disk
select disk 0
select partition 1
active

select partition 2
inactive

list disk
select disk 1
select partition 1
inactive

exit
bcdboot c:\windows

then reboot your pc...

next we will want to delete the 507mb and 453mb recovery tools partitions.

then we will want to create 1 (128GB) partition from the unallocated free space

then we will Apply the new windows 10 install.wim to the 128GB partition...

For now just get to the reboot pase..

Kyhi · 18 Nov 2017

now since I usually work from within PE
Will somebody write the diskpart commands to delete the two recovery tools partitions

topgundcp · 18 Nov 2017

For 507MB Recovery partition:

diskpart
select disk 0
Select partition 3
delete partition override
exit

G: is not a Recovery, so just delete without override.

@Kyhi
The command set "Active" on partition one is fine. However, you might need to move the Bootmgr to it also. If it's not there, system won't boot.

@Nisko
If I am not mistaken. You've already have Disk 0 backup image with Macrium. If so, I would:

Wipe out disk 0->Fresh install Windows 10 since version 1709, the System Reserved is increased by 50MB ie. now 550MB instead of 500MB from previous version. This way, the Boot Manager & Recovery will be properly installed. Future upgrade/update will not create extra Recovery partition.
Shrink disk 0 to whatever size you want.
Use Macrium to copy the old Windows C drive back to the last partition of disk 0.
use bcdboot E:\Windows assuming the old C partition is assigned to E: to make dual boot.

Kyhi · 18 Nov 2017

We might need to move.. But believe we should be OK there..
I put out a game plan..
So maybe others will help followup with it...

Nisko · 18 Nov 2017

I should have known better than to try anything when I'm ill - just came on today. I thought I followed your instructions but couldn't reboot. Had to use my week old image to get back online. That worked OK but I have a few things to update before I continue. #1 after that is to make new images of my OS and DATA drive. After I follow your instructions (and pay attention to what I'm doing), I'll make a screenshot of the DM before we continue. I now believe the G: drive may be what Macrium Reflect inserted as a boot choice in case I didn't have a CD available. So maybe we should leave it there for now? If you tell me to remove it, I can always add it back in later. I also don't want to forget that my DATA drive is marked active and I want to make it inactive. Hope I feel better tomorrow so I can get more of this work complete. I don't know if this response is supposed to be before the quote or after it - so I'll repeat it below.

Kyhi said:

From command prompt (admin) type the following commands 1 line at a time

Code:

Diskpart
list disk
select disk 0
select partition 1
active

select partition 2
inactive

list disk
select disk 1
select partition 1
inactive

exit
bcdboot c:\windows

then reboot your pc...

next we will want to delete the 507mb and 453mb recovery tools partitions.

then we will want to create 1 (128GB) partition from the unallocated free space

then we will Apply the new windows 10 install.wim to the 128GB partition...

For now just get to the reboot pase..

I should have known better than to try anything when I'm ill - just came on today. I thought I followed your instructions but couldn't reboot. Had to use my week old image to get back online. That worked OK but I have a few things to update before I continue. #1 after that is to make new images of my OS and DATA drive. After I follow your instructions (and pay attention to what I'm doing), I'll make a screenshot of the DM before we continue. I now believe the G: drive may be what Macrium Reflect inserted as a boot choice in case I didn't have a CD available. So maybe we should leave it there for now? If you tell me to remove it, I can always add it back in later. I also don't want to forget that my DATA drive is marked active and I want to make it inactive. Hope I feel better tomorrow so I can get more of this work complete. I don't know if this response is supposed to be before the quote or after it - so I'll repeat it below.

NavyLCDR · 18 Nov 2017

If it was my computer.... I would make a backup image of disk 0 (which, it sounds like you already have). Remove the active tag from Disk 1, the diskpart commands for that should be:

diskpart
select disk 1
select part 1
inactive
exit
exit

Then I would boot from a Windows 10 USB flash drive made with the Media Creation Tool, select the custom install option, delete every partition on drive 0 until it is nothing but unallocated space, and let Windows set the drive up the way it wants to.

Then after you get your nice clean Windows installation done, you have a couple choices.

1. You can just use Macrium Reflect to mount (explore) the image you saved and retrieve what you need out of it. or
2. You can shrink the OS partition that will be created by the new install, copy your old C: drive partition to the empty space, and set up dual booting with bcdboot commands if you want to.