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.
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.
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.
For advanced troubleshooting information about startup problems, see Using System Configuration.
For information about how to safely remove Windows 7 from a multiboot configuration, see Uninstall Windows 7 on a multiboot system.
When you install the new version of Windows, you can keep an older version of Windows on your computer. This is often called a multiboot or dual-boot configuration.
Before you begin: Make sure that your hard disk has a separate partition for each operating system that you want to install, or that your computer has multiple hard disks. Otherwise, you will either have to reformat and repartition your hard disk or install the new operating system on a separate hard disk. Also, make sure that the partition or disk where you plan to install the new version of Windows is formatted with the NTFS file system. To create and format a partition, see Create and format a hard disk partition.
Reformatting and repartitioning your hard disk deletes all information on that disk. If you are running a previous version of Windows and want to partition your hard disk without reformatting it, use disk partitioning software, which is available from various manufacturers. Some disk partitioning software allows you to keep your information. If you’re already running the most recent version of Windows and want to partition your hard disk, see Can I repartition my hard disk? Before installing Windows, be sure to disable all antivirus software and back up your files to an external hard disk, a CD or DVD, a USB flash drive, or a network folder.
Turn on the computer running your current edition of Windows, and then insert the installation disc into the computer's CD or DVD drive.
On the Type your product key for activation page, we strongly recommend that you type your 25-character product key to help avoid problems during activation.
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.
To set up a multiboot configuration on a computer that does not yet have an operating system, partition the hard disk so each operating system you want to install has a partition, and begin by installing the oldest operating system first.
Any programs and drivers that you want to use must be installed on each operating system that you want to use them in.
See all support pages for install, upgrade, & activate.
Ask a question in the community forums.
