Installing Windows 10 and Windows 7 using different SSDs to dual-boot

[hotter-than-Vishera]

I want to purchase a copy of Windows 10 Pro. I currently own Windows 7 Ultimate. I do not want to lose Windows 7 Ultimate because I have games and other files that I am concerned will be incompatible with Windows 10 in the same way that they are incompatible with Windows 8.

My system specs:
Intel Core i7-4790K
Asus ROG Maximus VII HERO
Club3D R9 290
Samsung 840 EVO 250GB SSD
Western Digital Black 1TB WD1003FZEX
Asus DRW-24B1ST DVD-RW
G.Skill Trident X DDR3-1600 CL7

The 840 EVO has Windows 7 Ultimate installed on it. There are many basic programs installed to this drive, such as Microsoft Office, my Daemon Tools, Fraps, and other "mission-critical" things that I want to access quickly and reliably.
My mass storage drive is the Western Digital Black drive. All my games are stored there, as Steam has a folder it reads most of its games from. A few other large programs are stored there. It only has one partition.

What I've been thinking of doing is when Windows 10 comes out, I want to grab a 256GB Samsung SM951 M.2 drive for my Maximus VII Hero and install Windows 10 onto that. I'm hoping that way, I can access my games via either Windows 7 or Windows 10, so that if there's compatibility issues, I can boot to either Windows 7 or Windows 10 and not have to worry about being able to play my games. I don't really want to do the free upgrade path because I'm concerned that it will replace Windows 7. I don't want that.
I'm also wondering if I can still run the games on the WD Black from Windows 10 using Steam launching from the SM951, as I currently do with Windows 7 on the 840 EVO.
I'm pretty certain that I won't be able to access Microsoft Office, which is on the 840 EVO imbedded into Windows 7's Program files. Or will I?

Will Windows 7 and Windows 10 peacefully coexist on my system if they're on separate SSDs yet both capable of accessing the WD Black?

 

[USAFRet]

In the MS statement, there was listed a provision to revert to the original version of Windows.

This Microsoft faq should answer most of your questions.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq

If this is in reference to upgrading to Win 10 and then reverting back to Win 7 (or other previous version), I viewed the link but couldn't find any reference. Can you confirm pls!

Personally I will not upgrade to Win 10 if I cannot revert back to Win 7 on the same license. What bothers me more is there is no confirmation whether the License would work on a clean re-install of Win 7 after the upgrade. I hope someone can confirm otherwise as it would save me some bucks from purchasing a second OS to try 10 (or maybe a cheaper solution, upgrade to 10 and buy win-7 again)

That FAQ does not address going back to your previous OS. There have been other references to that elsewhere, but I've not seen anything 'official' from MS.
Supposedly that function exists.

I personally will be testing it right after the actual release, so if you want to wait and see what I find....

 

[saas1980]

That FAQ does not address going back to your previous OS. There have been other references to that elsewhere, but I've not seen anything 'official' from MS.
Supposedly that function exists.

I personally will be testing it right after the actual release, so if you want to wait and see what I find....

I would really appreciate that! Hope you can update us on this thread if still active.

 

[USAFRet]

That FAQ does not address going back to your previous OS. There have been other references to that elsewhere, but I've not seen anything 'official' from MS.
Supposedly that function exists.

I personally will be testing it right after the actual release, so if you want to wait and see what I find....

I would really appreciate that! Hope you can update us on this thread if still active.

There will (hopefully) be a whole separate tutorial on this, and other aspects of the upgrade/install.

 

[orlbuckeye]

I have read you can go back to the old OS. When you upgrade either by MS update or ISO your upgrades gets reactivated. Meaning a new key for Windows 10 and your Windows 7 or 8.1 key is still good. It doesn't mess with your restore partition. You can download an ISO to do clean installs (as many as you want as long as they are on the same machine).

You do have 2 keys.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2931492/windows-10-upgrade-will-allow-clean-installs-on-the-same-device-for-free.html

 

[USAFRet]

I have read you can go back to the old OS. When you upgrade either by MS update or ISO your upgrades gets reactivated. Meaning a new key for Windows 10 and your Windows 7 or 8.1 key is still good. It doesn't mess with your restore partition. You can download an ISO to do clean installs (as many as you want as long as they are on the same machine).

You do have 2 keys.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2931492/windows-10-upgrade-will-allow-clean-installs-on-the-same-device-for-free.html

That (nor the tweet) says nothing about having "2 keys".
Go back? Yes. (We still have to see how well this works)
Both your original OS AND the free Win 10 at the same time? I'm not seeing it.

 

[orlbuckeye]

No I read multiple places that you can go back to old OS. Why would they have to issue a new key if you couldn't go back? I read that the OEM system restore partition. They can't remove a license you paid for already or even substitute.


Can I downgrade later?
If I upgrade to Windows 10 and do not like it, will I be able to go back to Windows 7 or 8?
Yes: Microsoft aims to enable you to “roll back” to your old operating system, if required. However, I wouldn’t rely on this. In my view, it’s essential to back up your old system before installing a new one. You should also use the option to create “recovery media” with your old system, so that you’re not totally dependent on the “roll back” working.

from this link: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2015/jun/04/microsoft-windows-10-free-upgrade-10-questions-answered

 

[USAFRet]

No I read multiple places that you can go back to old OS. Why would they have to issue a new key if you couldn't go back? I read that the OEM system restore partition. They can't remove a license you paid for already or even substitute.


Can I downgrade later?
If I upgrade to Windows 10 and do not like it, will I be able to go back to Windows 7 or 8?
Yes: Microsoft aims to enable you to “roll back” to your old operating system, if required. However, I wouldn’t rely on this. In my view, it’s essential to back up your old system before installing a new one. You should also use the option to create “recovery media” with your old system, so that you’re not totally dependent on the “roll back” working.

from this link: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2015/jun/04/microsoft-windows-10-free-upgrade-10-questions-answered

And I am agreeing with you on that point! Yes, we will theoretically be able to roll back, or install clean, or whatever.
You statement of "You do have 2 keys." does not appear to have any relevance.

 

[USAFRet]

Just like with going from 8 to 8.1. You got a whole new license key with 8.1
That means little, though.

 

[orlbuckeye]

It means you can go back to old OS if you wish or you could dual boot with Windows 7 or 8.1 or Windows 10. But anything you do with it has to be on the same machine.

 

[USAFRet]

It means you can go back to old OS if you wish.

As said, I agree with you on that point.

 

[orlbuckeye]

Well what do you mean by it means little? you have choices you can stay with Windows 10, Go back to 7 or 8.1 or use both.

So if you don't like Windows 10 you got back to old OS and use the DVD you created as a frisbee in the park.

If you like windows 10 you keep it

If you want to feel safe you can go back to old OS then install the clean install of Windows 10 on another drive.

You still have all you data that your started with (BUT DO A BACKUP ANYWAYS)

 

[USAFRet]

Well what do you mean by it means little? you have choices you can stay with Windows 10, Go back to 7 or 8.1 or use both.

Nowhere does it say "or use both".
Unless you can point me to some specific text that outlines this.

The main things I got from Gabe Aul's tweet was:
"Sorry this hasn't been more clear. We're working on some more information we can share to help shed some light."
"Complex question. We'll do a more in-depth post on this at some point."

 

[orlbuckeye]

Once you upgrade you get a license to Windows that can be used for clean installs. The clean install HAS to be on the same machine a new HD isn't a new machine. You still own 2 licenses. You can use them as you wish as long as on the same machine. You could even run Windows 10 in a VM on Windows 7 and when you get asked to activate you put in the key you received with the upgrade.

 

[USAFRet]

Once you upgrade you get a license to Windows that can be used for clean installs. The clean install HAS to be on the same machine a new HD isn't a new machine. You still own 2 licenses. You can use them as you wish as long as on the same machine. You could even run Windows 10 in a VM on Windows 7 and when you get asked to activate you put in the key you received with the upgrade.

You may or may not be right. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[orlbuckeye]

The key is they say you can use the clean install as many time as you want.

 

[USAFRet]

The key is they say you can use the clean install as many time as you want.

Yes. As always, only one at a time.

Now...does this mean that using your existing Win 7/8.1 license to obtain the free Windows 10 Upgrade allow you to use both at the same time?
I've not seen anything that specifically says either way.

Going on past Upgrade scenarios, no, you cannot. But we shall see.
Let us wait until either MS says one way or the other, OR after the release when I and/or others test this specific function.

 

[saas1980]

Thank you for the link!

I'm glad the free upgrade offer expires towards the end of July 2016 and finally a mention of roll-back version permissions. Gives us plenty of time to warm up to making the right choice.

The idea of 2 working licences for both versions sounds realistic but too charitable hence im still on the fence

Tech journo, Jack Schofield, makes no direct reference to 'MS source'. Guardian editorial Journs are usually on the money so lets see what happens. I think im going to wait for users (esp. USAFRet) to do some real post-release journo affirmative action reporting lol

 

[Joseph DeGarmo]

But it would be against Microsoft's terms of agreement to use both the original OS and the upgrade at the same time. An upgrade is just that; once you upgrade an old OS, the upgrade overrides the original OS license key. Therefore, it is illegal to use both the old OS and Windows 10 upgrade in a dual-boot situation. If you want to keep both Windows 7 / 8.1 and Windows 10, then you need to buy a standalone license for Windows 10. It was the same way for the Windows 8 upgrade three years ago.

 

[terry4536]

I tried to find the Microsoft faq that I had read earlier. It was a longer more in depth discussion of the Windows 10 update process than the ones I have been able to find since. So I posted what I could find. But there was a paragraph that discussed an option to revert back to the previous version of Windows. It didn't involve reinstalling Windows 7 or 8 from the installation disc.

It also specified exactly what older versions of Windows could be upgraded to Windows 10 Home , Pro, and Enterprise. Basically Windows Pro and above will be updated to Windows 10 Pro. Others will get the home version. OEM versions will be updated as well but only for the motherboard that the previous Windows was running on.
It also stated that this will be the last Windows. Windows 7 will be supported till 2020, and Windows 8 will be supported until 2023. It didn't specify a support end date for Windows 10.

 

[terry4536]

I tried finding the faq I mentioned one more time. This time I limited my search to just those updated from June 3 - June 4. And guess what, I found the faq. As I said it gives the details about the Windows 10 update.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki/insider_wintp-insider_install/frequently-asked-questions-windows-10/5c0b9368-a9e8-4238-b1e4-45f4b7ed2fb9

And this page about "How to: Rollback to a previous version of Windows from Windows 10"

https://techingiteasy.wordpress.com/2015/03/24/how-to-rollback-to-a-previous-version-of-windows-from-windows-10/

 

[USAFRet]

And this page about "How to: Rollback to a previous version of Windows from Windows 10"

https://techingiteasy.wordpress.com/2015/03/24/how-to-rollback-to-a-previous-version-of-windows-from-windows-10/

And it still remains to be seen how well this actually works. I hope it works well.

" Also keep in mind, if you do a custom install over Windows 7 or later, the Rollback option is not available. This only works if you had done an in place upgrade from Windows 7 or later."