1. How to Duel Boot Windows Vista and Windows 7 By: Craig Gorrell

2. What you’ll need A computer running Windows Vista. A computer running Windows Vista. A Windows 7 install disk. A Windows 7 install disk. At least 16 GB of free space on your hard drive. At least 16 GB of free space on your hard drive.

3. Step 1: Partition Your Hard Drive Go to Control Panel -> System and Maintenance (skip this one if you’re in Classic view) -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management. Go to Control Panel -> System and Maintenance (skip this one if you’re in Classic view) -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management. Choose Disk Management within the Computer Management console to view your existing partitions. Choose Disk Management within the Computer Management console to view your existing partitions.

4. Step 1A Right-click on the existing partition and choose “Shrink Volume” to free up space for your new partition. Right-click on the existing partition and choose “Shrink Volume” to free up space for your new partition. Remember you need to make the new partition at least 16 GB. Remember you need to make the new partition at least 16 GB.

5. Step 1B Then, right-click on the new unallocated space and choose “New Simple Volume.” Then, right-click on the new unallocated space and choose “New Simple Volume.”

6. Step 1C Format the new partition as NTFS and give it a name. Format the new partition as NTFS and give it a name.

7. Step 1D Wait a minute for Vista to format your new partition. Wait a minute for Vista to format your new partition.

8. Step 1E Your new partition will now be available to install Windows 7 on. Your new partition will now be available to install Windows 7 on.

9. Step 2: Install Windows 7 Put your Windows 7 CD in your disk drive, and restart your computer. Put your Windows 7 CD in your disk drive, and restart your computer.

10. Step 2A The Computer should boot Windows 7 from the CD. The Computer should boot Windows 7 from the CD. If not press F8 when your computer is booting up to enter the boot menu. If not press F8 when your computer is booting up to enter the boot menu. You could also change the boot order in the BIOS so that the computer boots from a CD first. You could also change the boot order in the BIOS so that the computer boots from a CD first.

11. Step 2B Once the DVD boots up just follow the installation wizard. Once the DVD boots up just follow the installation wizard. When you’re choosing installation type, be sure to select Custom (advanced) and choose the partition you set up earlier. When you’re choosing installation type, be sure to select Custom (advanced) and choose the partition you set up earlier. Be careful, if you choose the wrong partition you could end up deleting your copy of Windows Vista. Be careful, if you choose the wrong partition you could end up deleting your copy of Windows Vista.

12. Step 2C Eventually you’ll be prompted to set up your account, and enter your license key. Eventually you’ll be prompted to set up your account, and enter your license key. Be patient, the installation process could take up to an hour. Be patient, the installation process could take up to an hour.

13. Step 2D Congratulations, you have successfully installed Windows 7. Congratulations, you have successfully installed Windows 7. Now when your computer boots up you will have the choice to boot either Windows Vista or Windows 7. Now when your computer boots up you will have the choice to boot either Windows Vista or Windows 7.

14. Any Questions?

15. Bibliography Pash, Adam. "How to Dual Boot Windows 7 with XP or Vista." Life Hacker. 09 01 2009. Web. 10 Dec 2009.. Pash, Adam. "How to Dual Boot Windows 7 with XP or Vista." Life Hacker. 09 01 2009. Web. 10 Dec 2009..