Tutorial: Install Windows XP over an existing copy of Windows 7

install windows xp on exisiting copy of windows 7

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By default you cannot install Windows XP with Windows 7 with Windows 7 installed first. The only option to dual-boot Windows 7 and Windows XP is to install Windows XP first and then installing Windows 7. But you know, that’s what tweaking is all about. Read on to learn how to install a fresh copy of Window XP on an existing Windows 7 operating environment.

Essentials

Windows 7 copy

Windows XP copy

Download EasyBCD utility for Windows

Difficulty gradient
Very easy

Risk level 
None

Method

# If your Windows 7 is installed in C: drive (in most cases it is installed in C: drive), then install the Windows XP on any other drive, for example D: drive

# Then, restart your system and you’ll see that it boots directly into Windows XP

# Now, you’ll have to restore Windows 7 copy by booting from the Windows 7 DVD

# To do this let the Windows 7 DVD auto-load and bring up the explorer window

# Here, click on “Repair your computer” option

# Let the repairing finish and your system will reboot into Windows 7

# Then install EasyBCD for entering the Windows XP boot entry

# Run EasyBCD utility and under the Add/Remove Entries option, choose Add an Entry and then add Windows XP
http://webtrickz.com/how-to-install-windows-xp-over-windows-7-in-a-dual-boot/

# Name the entry to your liking, for example Windows XP 2 and after restarting you’ll see the dual-boot option, with Windows 7 and Windows XP as the two options.

Conclusion

This method comes in very handy if you want to install Windows XP over Windows 7 without losing any data or settings.

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