Want to install W7 as a partition on a W8 computer...easy?

JLiRD808 · Feb 26, 2015

My work PC is a W8, but some of the programs I use are more compatible with W7.

Is it as simple as popping in a W7 disk, and installing into a new partition? I've never done this before. When I boot the computer, will I be able to choose between partitions, maybe in the BIOS?

Thanks...

And yes, I need to keep with W8 in place.

JackNaylorPE · Feb 26, 2015

Easiest way these days is to .....

1. Win 7 on 128 GB SSD
2. Win 8 on 128 Gb SSD
3. Apps and Games whatever on 2 TB SSHD (Edit: not SSD)

And yes, then just select via BIOS. Always unplug the other SSD when installing new windows.

Solandri · Feb 26, 2015

JLiRD808 :

That's what I did and it worked without a hitch.

Shrink Win 8 partition.
Create new partition for Win 7.
Pop in Win 7 install DVD and boot.
During installation, tell it to install on the empty partition.

It added Win 7 to Win 8's bootloader automatically (that was the part I wasn't sure about before trying this). In other words, when you boot, it brings up a boot menu letting you pick if you want to boot Win 7 or Win 8. You can modify this menu via msconfig on the boot tab. In particular, you probably want to change which OS boots by default and decrease the timeout from 30 seconds to 5-10 sec.

I don't recall if I had to disable secure boot in UEFI. Probably should've taken better notes, but I was in a hurry at the time.

Depending on the Win 7 apps, another option is to install WIn 7 as a virtual machine and run the apps within it. Slower performance and certain 3D apps won't work, but it'll let you run the Win 7 apps simultaneously with the Win 8 apps, and there's no hassle of rebooting.

Edit: I took precautions and backed up the WIn 8 partition before trying this, in case everything went kablewie and WIn 8 became unbootable.

SBMfromLA · Feb 26, 2015

JackNaylorPE :

You aren't seriously saying people should spend $2000+ for a 2TB SSD... are you?

JackNaylorPE · Feb 26, 2015

Nope....suggesting peeps spend $100 on 2 TB SSHD .... had a typo.

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Want to install W7 as a partition on a W8 computer...easy?

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