Multiboot: Running Windows 7 programs in Windows 8 on the same computer

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RWzSoldier

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Apr 10, 2013
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Hey guys, I just set up Multiboot with Windows 7 and Windows 8. Since each operating system has their own partition on my hard drive, I can't run programs from my Windows 7 partition while I am in Windows 8. Is there a way to get around this without installing programs like Microsoft Office on both partitions?
 
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JonnyWhite89

JonnyWhite89

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Apr 10, 2013
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Personal I ran Windows 8 in VMware Player (its free and responsive)

The only solution I can think of is a 3rd partition or hard drive or share that you can install all the program files onto, then install it and point both OS's to that drive or share. They may just read from the same files and the second installation will just over right with the exact same info while been installed.
 
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RWzSoldier

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Apr 10, 2013
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But will the second installation cost more hard drive space?
 
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kyllien

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Jan 22, 2013
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Since Windows 8 can run almost everything that runs on Windows 7 why not just run Windows 8? If you have Windows 8 Pro x64 you can setup Hyper-V and install Windows 7 as a virtual machine.

I would not recommend installing the program in the same directory from each OS. Each OS runs completely separately and if the program files change under one OS it can cause problems with the program on the other OS. Safe folders to share between the OSs are profile folders like documents, downloads etc.
 
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WyomingKnott

WyomingKnott

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Aug 29, 2006
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Your problem is that almost all applications change things on your PC other than the files in their own directory. Most make entries into the registry. When you installed under Win7, the entries went into your win7 registry. When you boot win8, different registry, no entries.

In addition, some installs add program files to common directories specific to your windows installation.

So unless a program is specifically designed to be "portable," you can't run an installation done into one OS instance when another OS instance is booted, even if both instances are the same OS version.
 
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