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If your computer's hard disk has adequate free disk space, you can install a newer version of Windows on a separate partition and keep the earlier version of Windows on your computer. This is called a multiboot or dual-boot configuration. Whenever you start your computer, you can then choose which version of Windows to run. For more information, see Can I have more than one operating system on my computer (multiboot)?
Multibooting requires separate partitions on your computer's hard disk for each operating system. To create and format a partition, see Create and format a hard disk partition.
Create and format a hard disk partition
To create a partition or volume (the two terms are often used interchangeably) on a hard disk, you must be logged in as an administrator, and there must be either unallocated disk space or free space within an extended partition on the hard disk.
If you are logged in as an administrator, you can repartition your hard disk by using the Shrink feature in Disk Management. You can shrink an existing partition or volume to create unallocated disk space, from which you can create a new partition or volume. (Note that the terms partition and volume are often used interchangeably.)
Open Computer Management by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Security, clicking Administrative Tools, and then double-clicking Computer Management. Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
In the left pane, under Storage, click Disk Management.
Right-click the volume you want to shrink, and then click Shrink Volume.
Follow the instructions.
If there is no unallocated disk space, you can create some by shrinking an existing partition, deleting a partition, or by using a third-party partitioning program.
Example of a multiboot disk configuration
Why have more than one operating system?
You might decide to create a multiboot configuration if you have programs or devices that only work with older versions of Windows. When you want to use one of those programs or devices, restart your computer, and then choose the operating system that you want to use. Multibooting can also be useful for testing programs or devices that work on Windows Vista for compatibility with Windows 7.
How does a multiboot configuration differ from an upgrade?
Upgrading replaces your old Windows operating system with a newer version. Setting up a multiboot system installs another operating system alongside your current operating system so that you can use either operating system.
Drawbacks of multibooting
Multibooting requires separate partitions on your computer's hard disk for each operating system. If you're running one operating system, you can't run a program installed on another operating system. You'll need to install programs on each operating system that you want to use them in. You must restart your computer each time you want to switch to a different operating system.
You also need to install the oldest operating system first, which can be frustrating if you want to add an earlier operating system (for example, you're currently running Windows 7, but you want to add Windows Vista or Windows XP).
Warning
You must install the older operating system first, and then install the more recent operating system. If you don't (for example, if you install Windows Vista on a computer already running Windows 7), you can render your system inoperable. This can happen because earlier versions of Windows don't recognize the startup files used in more recent versions of Windows and can overwrite them.
To install Windows on a separate partition or hard disk
Before installing Windows, be sure to disable all antivirus software and back up your files to an external hard disk, a CD, a DVD, a USB flash drive, or a network folder. Also, find your 25-character Windows product key. You can find it on the installation disc holder inside the Windows package—or in a confirmation e‑mail if you purchased and downloaded Windows 7 online. For detailed instructions about installing Windows 7, see Installing and reinstalling Windows 7.
Turn on your computer so that your current version of Windows starts normally, and then do one of the following:
If you downloaded Windows 7, browse to the installation file you downloaded, and then double-click it (often identified as an Application file under the Type column).
If you have a Windows 7 installation disc, insert the disc into your computer. Setup should start automatically. If it doesn't, click the Start button, click Computer, double-click your DVD drive to open the Windows 7 installation disc, and then double-click setup.exe.
If you've downloaded Windows 7 onto a USB flash drive, insert the drive into your computer. Setup should start automatically. If it doesn't, click the Start button, click Computer, double-click the drive, and then double-click setup.exe.
On the Install Windows menu, click Install now.
On the Get important updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation and to help protect your computer against security threats. You must be connected to the Internet to receive installation updates. This page might not appear if your computer is not connected to the Internet.
On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms.
On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.
On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, select the partition or disk where you want to install the new Windows operating system.
Be sure to install Windows on a different partition from the one where the earlier version of Windows is installed.
Click Next to begin the installation. You might see a compatibility report.
Multibooting requires separate partitions on your computer's hard disk for each operating system. To create and format a partition, see Create and format a hard disk partition.
Create and format a hard disk partition
To create a partition or volume (the two terms are often used interchangeably) on a hard disk, you must be logged in as an administrator, and there must be either unallocated disk space or free space within an extended partition on the hard disk.
If you are logged in as an administrator, you can repartition your hard disk by using the Shrink feature in Disk Management. You can shrink an existing partition or volume to create unallocated disk space, from which you can create a new partition or volume. (Note that the terms partition and volume are often used interchangeably.)
Open Computer Management by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Security, clicking Administrative Tools, and then double-clicking Computer Management. Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
In the left pane, under Storage, click Disk Management.
Right-click the volume you want to shrink, and then click Shrink Volume.
Follow the instructions.
If there is no unallocated disk space, you can create some by shrinking an existing partition, deleting a partition, or by using a third-party partitioning program.
Why have more than one operating system?
You might decide to create a multiboot configuration if you have programs or devices that only work with older versions of Windows. When you want to use one of those programs or devices, restart your computer, and then choose the operating system that you want to use. Multibooting can also be useful for testing programs or devices that work on Windows Vista for compatibility with Windows 7.
How does a multiboot configuration differ from an upgrade?
Upgrading replaces your old Windows operating system with a newer version. Setting up a multiboot system installs another operating system alongside your current operating system so that you can use either operating system.
Drawbacks of multibooting
Multibooting requires separate partitions on your computer's hard disk for each operating system. If you're running one operating system, you can't run a program installed on another operating system. You'll need to install programs on each operating system that you want to use them in. You must restart your computer each time you want to switch to a different operating system.
You also need to install the oldest operating system first, which can be frustrating if you want to add an earlier operating system (for example, you're currently running Windows 7, but you want to add Windows Vista or Windows XP).
Warning
You must install the older operating system first, and then install the more recent operating system. If you don't (for example, if you install Windows Vista on a computer already running Windows 7), you can render your system inoperable. This can happen because earlier versions of Windows don't recognize the startup files used in more recent versions of Windows and can overwrite them.
To install Windows on a separate partition or hard disk
Before installing Windows, be sure to disable all antivirus software and back up your files to an external hard disk, a CD, a DVD, a USB flash drive, or a network folder. Also, find your 25-character Windows product key. You can find it on the installation disc holder inside the Windows package—or in a confirmation e‑mail if you purchased and downloaded Windows 7 online. For detailed instructions about installing Windows 7, see Installing and reinstalling Windows 7.
Turn on your computer so that your current version of Windows starts normally, and then do one of the following:
If you downloaded Windows 7, browse to the installation file you downloaded, and then double-click it (often identified as an Application file under the Type column).
If you have a Windows 7 installation disc, insert the disc into your computer. Setup should start automatically. If it doesn't, click the Start button, click Computer, double-click your DVD drive to open the Windows 7 installation disc, and then double-click setup.exe.
If you've downloaded Windows 7 onto a USB flash drive, insert the drive into your computer. Setup should start automatically. If it doesn't, click the Start button, click Computer, double-click the drive, and then double-click setup.exe.
On the Install Windows menu, click Install now.
On the Get important updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation and to help protect your computer against security threats. You must be connected to the Internet to receive installation updates. This page might not appear if your computer is not connected to the Internet.
On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms.
On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.
On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, select the partition or disk where you want to install the new Windows operating system.
Be sure to install Windows on a different partition from the one where the earlier version of Windows is installed.
Click Next to begin the installation. You might see a compatibility report.
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