Installing Windows XP over Windows Vista

By Jeevan On May 29, 2009 · 1 Comment · In Tips, Windows

In spite of the problems of incompatibility of some software, many users are still reluctant to switch to Windows Vista. In addition, computers today are sold with Windows Vista, although some software’s work only under XP.

So many of us would like dual boot the two operating systems so that they can enjoy the new features of Windows Vista as well as retain the flexibility of Windows XP. It is possible to install both systems on the same computer, creating a menu multi boot in two completely different ways:

By installing Windows XP and Windows Vista, dual boot is then automatically
By installing Vista and XP, or XP over Vista, especially if the computer is sold with Windows Vista but without a CD (usually with a partition restoration).

Installing Windows XP and Then Windows Vista

This is the case most simple! Just follow the steps of installation of Windows XP and then install Windows Vista specifying another partition or the same score but a different name for the Windows directory (e.g. WinVista).

The Vista installer creates a boot menu to switch from one environment to another at start-up.

Installing Windows XP over Windows Vista

If Vista is already installed on the computer, you can either:

Reformat the disk, install XP, and then install Windows Vista (as in above method)
In case you do not have the installation DVD of Vista, install XP over Vista, then reactivate the start of Vista with the Vista Boot Pro software
In case you have the DVD installation of Vista (not the System Restore that comes with certain brands of PCs), make a repair to start Vista with this DVD.

It must then take care to specify another partition or another directory for Windows XP (WinXP for example). Following the installation of Windows XP, the system ignores the Windows Vista.

1. You do not have the installation DVD of Vista

Just download Vista Boot Pro to edit, and then activate the BCD Vista, which contains the settings for your system.

Following the installation of Vista Boot Pro, take the time to make a backup of the existing facility, to return in case of problems:

Vista Boot Pro displays information on registered systems in the BCD (Vista only):

Click on Manage OS entries and add a Windows Legacy

Possibly change the order of the systems installed to the first set your system of choice

Finally click Bootloader and replace the Windows Vista BCD your new configuration by selecting “Windows Vista Bootloader” and “System Partition” to install the bootloader on the system partition. Then click Install Bootloader

Restart the computer. It should now offer the choice between the two systems!

2. You have the installation DVD of Vista

In this case, a repair of your startup should be sufficient to enable the choice between the two systems.

Start by activating the boot CD from the BIOS
Press a button, if we ask you to press any key to start the installation of Vista
Click Repair your computer
Then click the Startup Repair.
Wait for the repair and restart the PC. The screen of choice between the two systems should appear.