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Question

multiple OS

Apr 14, 2019 7:08AM PDT

Is it possible to install windows 10 onto a harddrive on one of my blank hdds in my windows 7 machine? i ask, bc my hdd on w7 is on is about to crash, and when it does i want to switch out quick, so i was hoping, i could have a hdd with os loaded so when the crash occurs, i could just swap it out.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: install Windows 10
Apr 14, 2019 7:20AM PDT

Just remove the Windows 7 drive (to prevent any errors), and boot from your Windows 10 install medium to install Windows 10 on another hard disk. Then depending on which disk you boot from, you're in the OS on that disk.

But it's worth a try to first try a somewhat more elaborate way. Clone your Windows 7 disk to an empty one. Then remove the original one (to prevent any errors), boot into the cloned one (running Windows 7) and run setup.exe from your Windows 10 install medium. Might work and then you have all your programs and settings already available. But no guarantee because of drivers. But when it good enough to install all Windows 10 drivers from the makers site, you're fine. And if not, delete everything from that cloned disk and do a clean install of Windows 10.

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unplug W7
Apr 15, 2019 7:55AM PDT

that's kind of where I am going with this. So, I tried that, and now my USB keyboard doesnt work? I suspect the BIOS only activates a few USB ports, of which I have 5 or 6, so I have to find the one?

thanks

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That and check the BIOS for USB support.
Apr 15, 2019 9:50AM PDT

It varies with the board but some boards have us enable legacy support for keyboard and mouse. Some boards required me to get out the PS2 keyboard to do this!.

Before I install W10 I also make sure the BIOS is current since for W10 it can matter.

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Answer
Kees is spot on.
Apr 14, 2019 8:15AM PDT

Microsoft for decades tends to not support this area automatically so you must take care to not blow up an OS that you want to keep.

It's dated but the steps at https://www.howtogeek.com/197647/how-to-dual-boot-windows-10-with-windows-7-or-8/ seem to work today but you must use the advanced install and BACK UP what you can't lose. So many skip the BACK UP that it's no longer funny when the client complains they lost it all.

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Answer
Well some questions about Windows 10.
Apr 15, 2019 11:19AM PDT

First is theis Windows 10 been activated on the same PC before? If it has been activated on another PC you could have problems. Now if you purchased this as OEM and it hasn't been installed or if it's a retail version you shouldn't have a problem.