Question Windows 10 install questions

[keybard22]

I have an older computer running windows 7 for specific software and the configuration has not changed for years hardware or software wise. I know windows 7 is old but some software is better when used on it and has excellent older software compatibly. It is an Alienware Aurora R4 using UEFI and windows boot manager.
I brought an ssd to install windows 10 on and I read that installation and boot issues can and have occurred when installing windows 10 when an existing OS drive (windows 7) is still connected.
I read that people deconnected all other hard drives except the drive intended for Windows 10 and installed W10 successfully that way and afterwards reconnected the disconnected drives with no problems dual booting.
If I disconnect all the drives (Windows 7, video, backup) except the ssd I brought for W10 then reconnect them afterwards will windows boot manager list both the Win7 drive and the Win10 drive as selections? I am concerned that the boot area of the hard drive the Win7 is installed will be corrupted/damaged or not.
I intend to switch the computer to Win10 primarily but the old Win7 OS has been specifically configured, for specific use; which is reasonable as some things work better on older system. That is why industrial computers that are very old but used offline are in factories, they have been carefully configured and do the job without the complications of newer computers.

 

[USAFRet]

The Windows boot manager will NOT recognize bother drives and OS's.

To select which one, you need to interrupt the boot process, and select which drive you want.


Disconnecting the Win 7 drive is the recommended way to go.
Install Win 10 with only the one desired drive connected.

 

[Lutfij]

You could look through this as a guide;

View: https://youtu.be/Q6j-KmXbjBA


Windows 10 will be a decade old towards the end of this year = lack or no official support for Windows 10. I would advise that you stick to Windows 7 and then migrate to a new platform when Windows 12 is announced.

 

[keybard22]

So according to one response windows boot manager will not accept disconnecting the win7 drive then reconnecting it after win10 is installed on a separate ssd drive.
The other reponse is to remain on win7, to forget about using win10.
Would just buying the parts and assembling a new computer be better, to avoid the stress of trying to create a dualboot system? Sure it would be new but the cost of building a basic system (ddr5 based system) to last years would be over a thousand. Financial costs vs mental stress... this requires thought.

 

[USAFRet]

So according to one response windows boot manager will not accept disconnecting the win7 drive then reconnecting it after win10 is installed on a separate ssd drive.
The other reponse is to remain on win7, to forget about using win10.
Would just buying the parts and assembling a new computer be better, to avoid the stress of trying to create a dualboot system? Sure it would be new but the cost of building a basic system (ddr5 based system) to last years would be over a thousand. Financial costs vs mental stress... this requires thought.

You don't need the Windows Boot Manager to select which drive and OS.

 

[USAFRet]

Would just buying the parts and assembling a new computer be better, to avoid the stress of trying to create a dualboot system? Sure it would be new but the cost of building a basic system (ddr5 based system) to last years would be over a thousand. Financial costs vs mental stress... this requires thought.

If you want to go down that road, Win 11 compatible system. Not Win 10.

 

[keybard22]

Win 11 has compatibly issues with some software still compared to win 10. I know win 10 is going to lose security updates later this year but it has less bloatware then win 11 and more importantly no windows recall in W10.
Windows 10 is more customizable than W11 so despite. I have a W11 laptop, so I know that W11 has issues. That is why I would install W10, I am not coming from a place of ignorance, but experience

If you want to go down that road, Win 11 compatible system. Not Win 10.

Win 11 has compatibly issues with some software still compared to win 10. I know win 10 is going to lose security updates later this year but it has less bloatware then win 11 and more importantly no windows recall in W10.
Windows 10 is more customizable than W11. I have a W11 laptop, so I know that W11 has issues. That is why I would install W10, I am not coming from a place of ignorance, but experience. I like to feel in control of the OS, not the OS controlling my actions.

 

[USAFRet]

Win 11 has compatibly issues with some software still compared to win 10. I know win 10 is going to lose security updates later this year but it has less bloatware then win 11 and more importantly no windows recall in W10.
Windows 10 is more customizable than W11 so despite. I have a W11 laptop, so I know that W11 has issues. That is why I would install W10, I am not coming from a place of ignorance, but experience

Win 11 has compatibly issues with some software still compared to win 10. I know win 10 is going to lose security updates later this year but it has less bloatware then win 11 and more importantly no windows recall in W10.
Windows 10 is more customizable than W11. I have a W11 laptop, so I know that W11 has issues. That is why I would install W10, I am not coming from a place of ignorance, but experience. I like to feel in control of the OS, not the OS controlling my actions.

What software packages, specifically, do you have that has issues with Win 11.

 

[keybard22]

Yes I know windows recall can be disabled but people have reported recall working despite being disabled. There are serious security concerns about windows recall.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes I know windows recall can be disabled but people have reported recall working despite being disabled. There are serious security concerns about windows recall.

Currently, Recall only applies to a very very small subset of laptops.
It is NOT out there for every Win 11 system.

 

[keybard22]

I understand you are most likely coming from security viewpoint. I do not like W11, would prefer W10, but if forced to I could use W11 on a new desktop computer. I would not be happy, Microsoft lied about W10 being the last OS it would make, and pushed out W11 because Apple pushed out MacOS11.
Aside from what OS I should install on a new computer I got the answers to why I created this whole post originally. So thanks for that.

 

[USAFRet]

I understand you are most likely coming from security viewpoint. I do not like W11, would prefer W10, but if forced to I could use W11 on a new desktop computer. I would not be happy, Microsoft lied about W10 being the last OS it would make, and pushed out W11 because Apple pushed out MacOS11.
Aside from what OS I should install on a new computer I got the answers to why I created this whole post originally. So thanks for that.

"Windows 10 is the last OS" was just a throwaway comment. Nothing official.

And in reality, it does not matter.
The Win 10 of Jan 2025 is NOT the same as the Win 10 of Jan 2016.

 

[keybard22]

I am very aware of the evolution of W10 over the years. As I said if forced to I can learn to adapt W11 to my needs. Please close this forum post, it has gone off course and I got the answers I needed.