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#300
Thanks Shawn I thought that what would be the case and it just so happens I have a spare copy of 7 here I could use that I suppose. I think I will just upgrade it if only to get a key the other machine can stay just in 7 or maybe a dual boot Ubuntu or Zorin as I don't mind those two OS's just for a change.
Thanks again mate you have been yet again so patient along with Navy I do appreciate because it sure beats wrecking the whole thing and starting all over again.
Actually I don't know how you keep up with all this stuff it Is just mind boggling because I cannot see how you get any sleep.
Initially I saw both the main and remote pc mini tower upgraded to 10 while the free upgrade offer was going on during the first year later purchasing digital licenses in order to restore the 7 Ultimate system image onto a second HD when upgrading drives. I also had to do the same for the remote since 7 Pro would connect by wireless to the router in use while the software wasn't compatible for the 64bit 10. I would have had to replace the additional router in use with a new which would still see support for 7 as well.
After the final dual boot on the main across two new drives as well as two larger capacity server class drives for storage/backup went I then had the second drive needed for 7 Pro on the remote pc so it could be used as a portable test system. But then the old 7 laptop failed and had to be replaced with a brand W10 model Toshiba now in use by a family member no longer on dial-up for another mini tower I had built for that person.
As far as running other OSs you can do that on VMs while still keeping a working Windows 10/7 dual boot. So you have some other options available.
Ok now my broadband has been somewhat fixed I have this machine with 10 already on it is there any way I make it a dual boot without installing 7 on a drive first and then add 10.
I should add this was a 7 Pro machine to start with until I went to all 10. I am wanting to do this because I am still more active in 7 than 10 as I find 10 has a lot more "tech" stuff on it and if I answer posts in 7 it is not easy to snip a screen for example to attach to replies.
Hey John, :)
If you like, you could install Windows 7 as a Hyper-V virtual machine in Windows 10 to make it easy to use W7 while running W10.
Ok Shawn I will take a look at that option but have to at I am not familiar with what VM entails I just don't want to wreck the set up as it is now. :)
Easiest way is to create a virtual hard drive from disk management e.g.
C:\win7\win7.vhdx
Then do following
When using windows 7 installer, at first screen, press shift+f10 to get to command prompt.
Type
diskpart
select vdisk file=c:\win7\win7.vhdx
attach vdisk
exit
exit
and continue installation, installing it to virtual hard drive.
You now have a dual boot pc.
This is simplest way to install withoout affecting original install.
Ok cerebus my friend that looks a bit less involved than the tutorial for a VM but there are a few things I would like to clarify before I try it.
If the machine is already running in 10 and I go to DISKPART and type the that line in - it says to attach vdisk - I am not really sure what that means and am assuming it requires me to use an ISO for the 7 or is it some software on a say a stick?? .
To do that do I have to create a partition first or is the 7 created within 10?
Do you think it might be an idea to clone my drive before I do this because I would hate to miss something or hit a wrong key and wreck what is a stable machine?
You create the vhdx file initially from disk management. I always select vhdx file, type expandable and set a maximum size eg 50 GB.
THEN you have to get to command prompt from your windows 7 installer usb drive (or dvd).
As I said when booting from installer, press shift+f10 to get to command prompt, then type commands as I said.
This method is quite safe as all you are doing is creating a single file on your existing installation, and simply adding a boot entry.
If you like, for extra safety, when you boot into it, you can remove the drive letter for the windows 10 drive partition (does not affect anything when booting in windows 10) so it is hidden from windows 7.
Always a good plan to make an image backup of your current installation as a precaution, although I very much doubt you will get any issues as you are not affecting windows 10 OS in any way.