[SOLVED] The worst has happened. Is dual-boot the answer for me?

[Ensign Scrulu]

Hi, I have used all versions of Windows, beginning in the 80's with Windows 2. My absolute favorite version, all things considered, is 7. I've tried 10 and scrapped it in disgust.

Recently the issuer of the electronic identifying software I use to log in to sites (my bank for instance and lots of other sites where identity is crucial) announced their product was no longer functional under Windows 7 as there are no longer any security updates but insisted I 'upgrade' to Windows 10.

This is a major, crucial problem for me as I think that Windows 10 is an inferior OS and I would happily have continued with 7 indefinitely. I have a Windows 10 installation disk with product code and now wonder if I have enough space on the system drive to house the thing and dual-boot as necessary?

Thank you.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, that is enough free space on Disk 0 for a Win 10 install.

But really, that should go on its own physical drive.

 

[Deleted member 14196]

Why would you want to stick with an old operating system that has no support? Do you want to catch every virus out there? You get no support from Microsoft no updates for security or otherwise. Why would you want to do that to yourself? Just because you think it’s a better operating system? And that’s the truth, it’s just you thinking it’s a better operating system. it’s not anywhere near as good as Windows 10

As you can see your bank and other institutions don’t support it anymore either and there’s a good reason for that

 

[TerryLaze]

Since partitioning a drive with data on it can result in catastrophe you should backup all important files before trying it.

For a safe option you can use the free version of VMware and make a virtual installation of windows 10, this will live on a single file instead of a partition so there is zero chance of the procedure killing your data or messing with your boot.

 

[USAFRet]

That's good news about the space on disk 0 but why should Win 10 be installed on its own physical drive?

Can I use an external drive connected to a USB port for that?
Thx for answering

On its own drive, the boot partition and the OSs can be completely isolated.
On the same drive, the Win 10 info will be merged with the existing WIN 7.

Or, as suggested above, a VM install of this Win 10. VMWare or VirtualBox will work.

And no, you can't do a native install with an external drive.
You could do a VM install on an external. Would be very slow, however.

 

[Ensign Scrulu]

Right

Why would you want to stick with an old operating system that has no support? Do you want to catch every virus out there? You get no support from Microsoft no updates for security or otherwise. Why would you want to do that to yourself? Just because you think it’s a better operating system? And that’s the truth, it’s just you thinking it’s a better operating system. it’s not anywhere near as good as Windows 10

As you can see your bank and other institutions don’t support it anymore either and there’s a good reason for that

I'm sure your arguments are sound and you are probably right. It's not that I haven't tried 10. I have, and imho it stank to high heaven. I'd sooner go back to Vista...you say: "Why would you want to do that to yourself? Just because you think it’s a better operating system? And that’s the truth, it’s just you thinking it’s a better operating system. " I wonder why you get so worked up about this? You sound like an old-time missionary my friend, cool it a couple hundred degrees.

It's just about a computer OS for chrissake...

 

[Ensign Scrulu]

On its own drive, the boot partition and the OSs can be completely isolated.
On the same drive, the Win 10 info will be merged with the existing WIN 7.

Or, as suggested above, a VM install of this Win 10. VMWare or VirtualBox will work.

And no, you can't do a native install with an external drive.
You could do a VM install on an external. Would be very slow, however.

Oh, I see. Thanks for the heads-up as regards the merging thingy.

 

[Ensign Scrulu]

Since partitioning a drive with data on it can result in catastrophe you should backup all important files before trying it.

For a safe option you can use the free version of VMware and make a virtual installation of windows 10, this will live on a single file instead of a partition so there is zero chance of the procedure killing your data or messing with your boot.

Thank you Terry, I have used VMware to run obsolete software in virtual instances of XP on my current machine and know my way around it.

 

[Ensign Scrulu]

Thanks all for your answers. I now close this thread, bearing in mind all the good, informed advice I have gotten here.

 

[USAFRet]

If and when you install this Win 10 on a different physical drive, physically disconnect all others before you start the install.

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[Deleted member 14196]

It’s different but it works better and faster than the old operating system. Use the search bar to look for things and soon you will learn your way around