Problems with Windows 7/10 dual boot config

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prunehairs

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Sep 21, 2013
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So for the first time ever I decided I wanted to try a dual boot config. I don't think I did it the "right" way because I have a number of issues.

I kept my Windows 7 Ultimate on my SSD and put Windows 10 on my other drive, however, when I boot my system it automatically boots to windows 10. I don't know if that it supposed to happen or not, but the only way to get to windows 7 is by pressing f11 and selecting the drive that it's on.

Because of this I am also unable to boot into safe mode because Windows 10 just loads automatically instead. Also, when I go to system configuration/boot only Windows 10 is shown (when I am booted on 10). I thought both OS's are supposed to be shown.

Lastly, when I try to boot Windows 7 my mouse and keyboard stop working at the login screen. The only way I've been able to get them working for Windows 7 is by going into my BIOS and disabling/re-enabling the USB controller.

I've checked my disks for errors and it did not seem to fix my issues. If it is possible I would like to see a prompt so I can choose which OS I want to load.

I'm really quite stumped on these issues though it may be basic to some of you (I hope).

 
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R4lNM4N

R4lNM4N

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Jul 30, 2014
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Add Windows 7 to the BCD using the bootrec command. Boot into the Advanced Options from Windows 10 system, then choose Command Prompt. Sign in on the Command Prompt screen. When the command prompt window opens you will type: Bootrec.exe /ScanOS to determine if the system recognizes a windows OS, if so it will list them out and where they are. To add the Windows 7 OS to the Boot Configuration type: Bootrec.exe /RebuildBcd this will scan disks for all installations compatible with Windows and allow you to choose which to add to the boot configuration store. when completed type Exit in the command prompt and the command prompt window will close and you will have the option on the screen to Use another operating system.
 
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blazorthon

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Sep 24, 2010
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Another option where you don't need to download something is looking at msconfig.exe and see if it recognizes both windows there. Just hit start and type in msconfig.exe to find it. On the top left of the popup you'll see a few tabs, click on boot (should be second from the left).

This will show a list of the recognized Windows systems on the computer and you can tell it to give you time to choose one of them by typing in the timeout box. 10 seconds should be fine.
 
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prunehairs

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Sep 21, 2013
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The problem here is that my computer will only recognize the OS that I am currently using. I.e. If I am on Windows 7 it will show windows 7 but not 10, if I am on Windows 10 it will show 10 but not 7.
 
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blazorthon

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Sep 24, 2010
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Hmm. That's a little more tricky. The problem is that they both have their own separate bootloader on their system drive. Making the windows 10 stop booting automatically would be easy if you didn't mind splitting the main partition on the windows 10 drive and adding another windows 10 system on the new partition (clunky workaround I know), but otherwise, I'm not sure. I haven't tried something like this in a long time.

You might need to get a custom bootloader like GRUB as was suggested earlier.
 
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R4lNM4N

R4lNM4N

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These Drive letters are assigned by the OS to make things look familiar for average users. This is why when you edit the BCD and add an OS to the boot record, it must be done OUTSIDE of Windows. If you can boot to the command prompt, run the diskpart command and ask it to list disk or list volume, It will list the drive letters differently than the "user friendly" interface of Windows.
 
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