How to xp after windows 7. How to properly configure Windows XP after installation. Create a Windows XP installation disk

Possible? I installed Windows XP after Windows 7, I didn’t know that this was not possible, now only Windows XP loads, but both operating systems are needed. I tried to use the EasyBCD 2.0.2 program, I found instructions on the Internet, but apparently for the old version of the program, because it does not fit or was written that way, and they also say that it overwrites the MBR boot record and if this is done incorrectly, you may not be able to boot into any of the operating systems.

Installing Windows XP after Windows 7

Before using any program, you need to find out as much information as possible about it, especially if it is directly involved in loading operating systems.

The ideal way to install two operating systems on one computer is to follow the installation sequence. You must first install the older Windows XP, and then the lower Windows 7.

The Windows 7 boot manager knows the principle of loading all previously released Windows and becomes the boot manager of all previously installed operating systems, in our case Windows XP. In this case, before loading, a menu appears to select any of Windows.

Note: Friends, just recently a new article was published on our website: - (method No. 1 and) I must say that they are more efficient and also applicable to Win 7!
There is also another article on this topic:

Another case install Windows XP after Windows 7, then the XP bootloader will simply overwrite the seven bootloader, since it knows nothing about it, and you will only have one operating system loaded - Windows XP. In our case, this is what happened, there is a way out of this situation. Let's use the simplest one and get two operating systems loaded on our computer.

So we installed Windows 7, worked in it and decided to install Windows XP as the second operating system, allocated space on the hard drive, performed the installation and now only XP loads, our next steps.

First of all, you can use the program EasyBCD 2.0.2, which uses a standard bootloader when working, that’s why I like it, it’s free, and it’s easy to remove it without consequences.

The program requires the Net Framework 2.0 package installed, if we don’t have it, download it from the link

https://www.microsoft.com/ru-ru/download/details.aspx?id=16614

For the sake of experiment, let's install Windows XP after Windows 7 on the laptop, after installation one Windows XP is loaded, install EasyBCD 2.0.2 and try to correct our situation.
Installing the program is very simple, install and run

View Settings-> initial program window, on my computer EasyBCD 2.0.2 immediately found one Windows XP operating system, let's move on

Edit Boot Menu Selecting loading operating systems, also shows one Windows XP

Add New Entry on the right side of the window, select Windows Vista/7 from the drop-down menu and click Add Entry and add the Windows 7 operating system to the Edit Boot Menu.

Note: Friends, in the window Add New Entry point Automatically detect correct may not be, which means the program will not automatically find Windows 7 files.

You will have to manually select the partition with the Windows 7 operating system installed, and only then the EasyBCD program will add Windows 7 to the operating system boot menu. You can do it like this. In the Add New Entry window on the right side of the window, select from the drop-down menu Type:(type of operating system) Windows Vista/7/8. Name:(operating system name) Microsoft Windows 7.

Main parameter Drive(disk): here you need to specify the disk with the installed operating system that we want to add to the Boot Manager. In our case, Windows 7 is installed on drive D:, so we select it - Disc: D and press Add Entry(Add).

Now in the initial window View Settings two operating systems

Edit Boot Menu, Windows 7 appears here too

Edit Boot Menu Selection of loading operating systems, by default Windows XP is loaded first, the second will now boot Windows 7 if we wish, the boot order and the default selection time of 30 seconds can be changed.
All we have to do is go to the Bootloader Setup tab and in the MBR Configuration Options checkbox like mine Install the Windows Vista/7 bootloader to the MBR, then click Write MBR, by doing this we enter information into the MBR boot record that the partition with Windows 7 will boot by default.

If you and I remove EasyBCD 2.0.2 itself, the operating system selection menu will remain and Windows 7 will load first by default.
In the Edit Boot Menu, you can, if you wish, remove Windows XP and when booting, it will not be in the selection of operating systems; I advise you not to experiment with Windows 7.

Note: Bootloader Setup I advise you not to touch this item, I rewrote the MBR bootloader to Install the Windows XP bootloader to the MBR, that is, on Windows XP, and could not boot at all. I had to restore the Windows 7 bootloader using the Windows 7 installation disk recovery tools. Restoring the Windows XP boot in this case is described in these articles: or
Installing Windows XP after Windows 7 on one computer, it should be successful.

Every day computer technology is developing more and more, as is the software for it. But today, many are left with computers that do not meet the stated technical requirements. An example of such software is Windows 7, which requires at least 1 GB of RAM for comfortable operation.

What should those who have only 512 MB of memory do? In this case, our good old friend Windows Xp comes to our aid. In this article you will learn how to install Windows Xp. This operating system is the second most popular in the Microsoft line. But this is not even strange, because the quality and ease of operation were and are at their best.

Let's compare Xp with its older brother Windows Vista; somehow this OS did not catch on with us, since it had many shortcomings. And this was proven by the same users who worked on XP without switching to a new OS. And most people, having bought a laptop or computer already with Vista, eventually switched to XP or Windows 7.

If you are ready to learn how to reinstall Windows XP correctly, then move on to our installation, starting with preparing the computer.

Preparing to install Windows Xp

To install, first of all we need an installation CD with Windows xp. Or, as an alternative, it could be a bootable flash drive, 2GB or more. You can learn how to create a bootable USB flash drive. If your choice fell on a CD, then be sure to read how to burn a disc with a Windows image

Of course, we will need to save all our data to drive “D” in case you reinstall Windows. And you may need it. For example, I have a lot of bookmarks of the pages I liked, and it would be expensive to look for everything again after reinstalling. But having exported, I saved all my favorites in one file, and after installation I restored them in a few clicks, and this is quite convenient.

Having saved all the data, the last step remains, we need to put it in a flash drive. Having done all this, you can proceed to the installation itself.

Installing Windows Xp

Having prepared the computer and set everything in the BIOS as recommended, after inserting the CD into the drive, booting from it should begin. A window will open asking you to press a key to continue the installation. The main thing is to react in time and have time to press, because if there is nothing to do, the computer will start to turn on as always with the previously installed OS.

By pressing any key, a blue screen will appear on which the configuration of your computer will be checked. You'll have to wait a little here.

After checking, the installation program will offer to install a new Windows XP or restore the existing one. Since we will be installing a clean system, click “ Enter».

To install Windows XP, I used a blank disk and created one partition by simply pressing "Enter". But if you want to divide the disk into 2 partitions, click “C” and indicate the size that suits you, for example, 20GB disk “C:\” and confirm. Selecting “Unallocated area” again, press the “C” key and specify the remaining 20GB, thus creating a second logical drive “D:\”.

Having finished allocating free space, select “Format partition in NTFS system<Быстрое>».

The formatting process will begin, it will take a few seconds, although if you chose simple formatting, you will have to wait a little longer.

After formatting, copying of the installation files will automatically begin, again here we don’t need to click anything, we just wait.

After copying all the files, the system will reboot and proceed to the installation itself.

Our computer rebooted and the installation of Windows XP began, with an approximate time until it was completed.

At the 33rd minute, a window will appear to configure regional settings, change the layout and add a language, just click “Next”. Thus, you will leave the standard set of languages English and Russian. As a rule, I set additional languages after installation.

In the next window we need to specify a Name.

Let's give our computer a name.

Set the time zone and set the date and time.

We select the usual parameters.

We simply skip this step without changing anything.

Attention!!! If you set to boot from a CD drive, then a window will again appear asking you to press a key to boot from the disk. Your task is not to press anything, because Windows XP is almost installed and we won’t need the disk further. After the reboot, auto-adjustment of the image will begin, we agree with everything by clicking “OK”.

Windows greets us and thanks you for your choice, proceed to the next step with the “Next” button.

“Delay this action” is what we need to select. In the screenshot I scored to change the choice.

If Windows XP managed to install drivers on the network card and the cable was plugged in, it may begin checking the Internet connection. But we just need to click on “Skip”.

Again, if there is a connection, then Windows will offer to register with Microsoft. Select “No” and click “Next”.

Be sure to enter your name for the account.

Finishing the setup of Windows XP SP 3

Everything is ready Windows Xp is installed.

How to install Windows XP

This article discusses the procedure for installing Windows XP on a computer that already has Windows 7 installed and the sequence of steps required to create a dual-boot configuration where, when you turn on the computer, a menu is available to select the operating system to boot.

Introduction

It is generally accepted that the more correct Windows installation sequence is to install the minor version before the older one. In this case, it is possible to boot an older system, and after installing a newer OS, a menu for selecting a bootable system appears.

However, the sequence does not matter if you know the principles of loading operating systems. Let's consider a situation where Windows 7 is already installed, but you need to install Windows XP on your computer. The article is intended to help avoid pitfalls for those who plan to install Windows XP after Windows 7.

Initial data

Installing Windows XP

A lot of articles have been written about installing Windows XP, so there is no point in dwelling on this issue in detail within the framework of this article. The only thing is that you can install Windows XP if Windows 7 is already installed by booting from the Windows XP installation disk. During installation, you must specify a disk partition that was prepared in advance.

Figure 2 - Selecting a partition for installing Windows XP

Already in this figure you can see that the partition that does not have a letter in Windows 7 is assigned the letter C, and the partition with Windows 7 is assigned the letter D.

This is how the “disk management” picture looks after installing Windows XP

Figure 3 - Disk Management in Windows XP

After installing Windows XP, there will be neither a choice of operating systems at boot, nor, accordingly, the ability to boot Windows 7.

Pay attention to the changes that have occurred with the hidden “System Reserved” section: it has become visible (it is assigned the letter C). Let's see what is located on the active section (C). To do this, you need to disable hiding system files in the folder properties and allow them to be displayed:

Figure 4 - Enabling the display of hidden and system files

So, on partition C we see Windows 7 boot files: bootloader - bootmgr and folder Boot, in which the boot menu interface files are located, the boot data storage file - bcd, memory test program files - memtest.exe. In addition, it now contains the Windows XP boot files: ntldr, ntdetect.com, boot.ini.

Figure 5 - Boot files for Windows 7 and XP operating systems

Restoring the Windows 7 boot loader in Windows XP

To restore Windows 7 boot, you need to use the Windows 7 installation disc.

Insert the Windows 7 installation disk, find the file on it bootsect.exe in folder BOOT. Please note: the path to the bootsect.exe file is F:\boot\bootsect.exe. In your case, instead of F there will be a letter belonging to the CD - DVD drive

Figure 6 - Contents of the BOOT folder of the Windows 7 installation disk

Launch command prompt: click Start - Execute, enter in the field cmd. Once prompted, enter the following command

Figure 7 - Flow of the bootsect command

The result of the command will be the restoration of the Windows 7 master boot record and boot code, which transfers control to the Windows 7 boot manager.

Creating a Dual Boot Configuration on Windows XP

As you know, there is no utility for changing configuration data in XP, but it is in the folder with Windows 7 installed. To apply it correctly in XP, you need to enter the System32 directory of the Windows 7 operating system at the command line. After the transition, run the following commands in sequence:

Bcdedit /create (ntldr) /d "Microsoft Windows XP"

This command creates a Windows XP download store in the Windows 7 download store. Running this command may fail because the repository is already created by default, so you just need to rename it:

Bcdedit /set (ntldr) description "Microsoft Windows XP"

The following command will tell the Windows 7 boot loader the device location of the XP boot files:

The following command will point the Windows 7 bootloader to the Windows XP bootloader:

Bcdedit /set (ntldr) path \ntldr

The following command will add a line about selecting Windows XP in the boot menu and place it under the rest:

Bcdedit /displayorder (ntldr) /addlast

Figure 8 - Complete list of commands for creating a boot menu in Windows XP

You can check whether the commands are executed correctly and the presence of a boot menu by running the command in the command line window bcdedit or by analyzing the bootcfg file obtained by running the bcdedit >c:\bootcfg.txt command. The file will be located in the root directory of drive C.

Figure 9 - Checking for the presence of a Windows XP boot entry and boot menu

After running these commands, when you boot your computer, you will be given the option to select the OS to boot.

Figure 10 - Selecting OS to boot

It may be more convenient for many to reduce the OS boot selection timeout, which by default is 30 seconds. To configure this parameter, use the command

Bcdedit /timeout XX

Where XX is the timeout time in seconds.

Features of creating a dual boot configuration in Windows 7

If you are just going to install Windows XP, then you can create a dual-boot configuration in advance, while still running Windows 7. The same recommendations will help when you restored the Windows 7 bootloader while in Windows XP, and decided to create a dual-boot configuration later.

In this case, some features should be taken into account.

Commands, just like in Windows XP, are executed on the command line. On Windows 7, these commands must be run from an elevated command prompt. To do this, click the button Start, select item Standard, right-click the Command Prompt shortcut and select , or like this:

Click Start and in the search field enter cmd

On the found file, right-click and select the item in the context menu Run as administrator.

Figure 11 - Running command prompt with elevated rights (as administrator)

The order of execution of the commands is the same, with the exception of one. As you know, the Windows 7 and Windows XP boot files are located on a hidden partition that does not have the letter . Therefore, instead of the command

Bcdedit /set (ntldr) device partition=C:

Need to do

Bcdedit /set (ntldr) device partition=\Device\HarddiskVolume1

This note does not make sense if for some reason (for example, if your hard drive was partitioned before installation), the hidden boot partition was not created and the system boot files are on the same one as Windows 7 section.

Conclusion

Even if the installation sequence of operating systems is not entirely correct, it is not difficult to organize their correct loading without resorting to complex manipulations or third-party programs. Using the Windows 7 installation disc, you can restore the ability to boot into this operating system, and using the utility bcdedit configure the loading of two operating systems.

So, we are given the task of installing two operating systems on one computer - Windows XP And Windows 7- in multiboot mode. And organize their work so that when you start the computer you can select any of them to load.

Why, why, why all this is needed, we will not clarify here - there can be dozens of reasons, and each user has their own. In general, let’s take it for granted - it’s just a MUST, that’s all. Well, if it’s necessary, then we’ll install it. Go.

The most convenient, simple and “ideologically” correct method would be to first install Windows XP, and then install Windows 7 on an adjacent partition of the disk. In this case, “7” correctly identifies the “Piggy” already on the hard drive and carefully “picks up” " her. Therefore, immediately after such an installation, we will receive two normally working operating systems located on adjacent partitions, and a boot menu in which you can select any of them. And all this without any additional body movements and “dancing with a tambourine.” This method is very simple, accessible even to a beginner, and is described in sufficient detail by us here. So read it carefully, and if you are going to organize multiboot on a hard drive that does not yet have a single OS installed (or you are going to delete them all), then use this method. It's simpler.

Option number 2. For those who are not looking for easy ways.

Let's say you already have Windows 7 installed. Everything works, everything turns and turns just fine. And you are not going to demolish “7” and then rearrange it anew - it’s a pity, or even just laziness. This means that we have the task of carefully placing “Piggy” next to it in the adjacent section, so as not to damage anything to “7”, and to properly arrange the boot menu in which you could select any of them when starting the computer.

So, the task has been set. Let's decide.

Retreat number one. It is worth firmly remembering that different operating systems on the same computer should be installed only in DIFFERENT disk partitions - for each OS there is its own partition. Purely theoretically, with the help of cunning gestures you can set it to one, but no one guarantees you the result. In the end, either everything can turn out smoothly, or instead of work or entertainment, you can spend all your time catching all sorts of glitches that have arisen after your experiments. Do you need it? So, we remember for the future as “Our Father”: different operating systems on one PC(different versions of Windows, Linux, MacOS X, etc. - no difference) are placed only in DIFFERENT disk partitions. And nothing else.

All Microsoft systems can be installed only on main partitions. Therefore, we must have them (or create them) before starting the installation. As a rule, these are two main partitions located at the beginning of the hard drive - partitions designated by us as drives C and D. One of them already has Windows 7, and in the other we need to carefully install Windows XP. Which of them goes into which section, by and large, does not matter. Well, perhaps, solely for reasons of personal convenience. For me, it’s better to put “7” on the first one - C, and XP on the second one - D. But you may have a different opinion. Decide for yourself what is more convenient for you.

Retreat number two(important for understanding the process). If we install Windows XP after Windows 7, then “7” will stop loading for us (although there is nothing wrong with that). This is explained very simply: Windows XP is a rather old system. When it was created, “7” was not yet in the project (and yet its loading is arranged a little differently). This is why the installer of "Piggy" cannot correctly determine that the computer already has one installed system - from its "point of view" the hard drive is absolutely empty. And he “with a clear conscience” sticks his own boot files on it, while overwriting other people’s bootloaders. And we get a working and normally loading Windows XP and Windows 7, which, in principle, is fully functional, but we cannot load it yet, since its bootloader is overwritten by the “Piggy” bootloader. In the end, the whole task comes down to accurately and correctly restoring Windows 7 boot files after installing XP on the second system. This is what we'll do.

First, boot into Windows 7 and go to " Disk management"(as it is convenient for you - either through the Control Panel, or something else). And we see something like this:

If we believe what we saw, we have one main partition of the disk on which Windows 7 is installed (in this case it is marked as C), another partition prepared for installing "Piggy" (D), and another one, which is marked " System Reserved". This partition in Windows 7 does not have a letter, is hidden and is designed to ensure booting into the recovery environment Windows RE. This partition in our case is active, which means that all boot files of both operating systems will be located on it.

Please note that in some configurations with Windows 7 installed, this disk partition may not be present. In this case, the active partition will most likely be the first partition, and it is on it that the boot files will be stored. So don't panic and just take it for granted. And make a note for yourself as a souvenir.

In addition, we also see the optical drive, which we have the letter E. Look carefully again and remember where and what is on your hard drive. In addition to the letters, also pay attention to the sizes of the partitions - perhaps these dimensions will be easier for you to navigate during installation, since everything will look a little different in the installer.

Next, take the Windows XP installation disk, insert it into the drive and reboot in order to launch a “clean” installation of “Piggy” (since in our case it will not be possible to run the installation from Windows).

In general, running the installation of one Windows from under another Windows, in my opinion, is a natural perversion, which for some reason the dissolute programmers from Micro$oft are trying to impose on us. Personally, we promote healthy sex, normal installation. Therefore, only a “clean” installation!

So, we inserted it, rebooted, it started... There is no point in going into detail about the Windows XP installation process - here it is standard. We get to the point of selecting a partition for installation:

We select the one we prepared for XP, format it and continue. Then everything follows the same pattern, until the very end.

Installed, booted - that's it, we're in XP. Now, as a result of all our movements, we have two installed and fully working operating systems, one of which - Windows 7 - has lost the ability to boot. So, our tasks:

1. Restore Windows 7 bootloader.
2. Create a dual boot menu.

Please note: section marked " System Reserved", became visible in Windows XP. Now it has the letter C. Partitions with Windows 7 and Windows XP changed their letters to D and E, respectively. Our optical drive now appears as F. It is from these positions that we will indicate to you the console commands. If in your version the sections have different letters, you will have to slightly adjust the paths in these commands to your own values.

So we're still in XP. Insert the Windows 7 boot disk into the drive and open it in Explorer. We find a folder on it BOOT. We go in and see the file there bootsect.exe. That's what we need. Pay attention to the path to this file: in our version it is F:\boot\bootsect.exe(since our drive has the letter F).

Launch the command line ( Start => Run, enter in the field cmd and press ENTER). In it we enter the following command (we complete the entry of all commands with the key ENTER):

F:\boot\bootsect.exe /nt60 all

The result of this entire procedure will be the restoration of the Windows 7 bootloader - now we can enter it without problems. However, there is no need to rush - the fact is that we still do not have a boot menu with a choice of two operating systems, and we have not created it yet. You can create it either from Windows 7, by rebooting into it, or by remaining in “Piggy”.

We remain in XP (why jump back and forth, right?).

Now we need a special utility to edit the data of the 7-ki bootloader. In XP, of course, it is not there, but in folders with 7 installed (I remind you that under XP the partition with Windows 7 looks like D).

Let's work on the command line again. Go to the folder with the required utility:

First we give the command

cd windows\system32

We are there and starting to work. We create a storage in the Windows 7 boot loader for loading Windows XP:

Bcdedit /create (ntldr) /d "Microsoft Windows XP"

Sometimes this store is already created by default, so this command may fail. We ignore it and continue:

Bcdedit /set (ntldr) description "Microsoft Windows XP"

With this command we renamed the storage as we needed. Then:

The command tells the Windows 7 boot loader the location of the XP boot files. Further:

Bcdedit /set (ntldr) path \ntldr

The command tells the Windows 7 bootloader the path to the "Piggy" bootloader. Then add a line with the choice of Windows XP in the boot menu and place it below, under the rest:

Bcdedit /displayorder (ntldr) /addlast

That's it, our multiboot menu is created. You can also optionally change the selection timeout, which by default is 30 seconds - obviously a bit too much. Enter:

Bcdedit /timeout XX

Where XX– the timeout time we need in seconds.

If you wish, you can without leaving the console (and from the folder windows\system32, naturally) check the correctness of all our body movements. Enter the command:

bcdedit>c:\bootcfg.txt

A text file appears in the root partition of drive C bootcfg.txt. We study it and are glad that we did everything right.

Well, when we reboot, we now see a menu in which we can select any of the two operating systems.

Well, now a little for those who are used to creating problems for themselves with their own hands, in order to successfully overcome them - for those who immediately left XP after restoring the 7 bootloader, or for some reason decided to create a multiboot exactly from under Windows 7.

The technology here will be almost the same, but with minor amendments. First, the command prompt must be run with administrator rights. To do this, find it in the menu Start, right-click on it and select " Run as administrator".

Secondly, for those who still remember, the boot files for Windows 7 and Windows XP are located on the first, active partition, marked as " System Reserved". In "7" this section is hidden and does not have a letter. Therefore, in it, instead of the command

Bcdedit /set (ntldr) device partition=C:

need to be done

Bcdedit /set (ntldr) device partition=\Device\HarddiskVolume1

If for any reason you have a " System Reserved" is missing (this happens - remember, we mentioned this at the beginning of the article?), and all boot files are saved to the first (active) partition C, then this amendment does not need to be made - the command is given in the same way as in Windows XP.

Everything else is done exactly the same as in "Piggy". Just remember to keep an eye on the drive letters so that you enter the correct paths in the commands - after all, these letters will be different from the letters in XP.

Well, that seems to be all.

P.S. Especially for those sufferers who for some reason still have a “missing” boot disk Windows 7. For you personally, we have attached a couple of files you need to the article. I'll give you a hint: a little lower. Found it? Download, place them in the place you need and start your “dancing with a tambourine” according to our recommendations. Just remember to adjust the file paths in the commands to your own.

Most often on the Internet you can find instructions on how you can install Windows 7, 8 or 10 as a second system when Windows XP is already installed on your computer. This is a relatively simple task that even an inexperienced user can handle, since a newer operating system always retains the bootloader of the old one and automatically creates a menu in which the user can choose when booting which system to boot - the new one or the previous one. In this article we will look at the opposite situation - when Windows 7, 8, 10 is installed on the computer, and the user wants to install Windows XP in parallel. The piquancy of the situation is that after installing Windows XP, the previously installed Windows 10/8/7 will stop loading and its bootloader will have to be restored.

Installing Windows XP as a second system after Windows 7/8.1/10

If you have a desktop computer, then it would be even better to use an SSD for modern Windows 7/8.1, and a classic hard drive for XP. In this case, you can temporarily disable the SSD with Windows 7-10 so as not to accidentally erase anything from it, calmly install XP and then proceed to configure the boot order.

METHOD 1. Installing Windows XP with a connected hard drive with Windows 7/8.1/10 or installing Windows XP on another partition of the same physical disk

This is a common situation that most users face. In addition, this method is suitable for inexperienced users who have several physical drives, but do not want or cannot disconnect the hard drive with Windows 7/8.1.

Attention! This method is not suitable for SSDs. If you want to install XP and 7/8.1 on an SSD, you will need to first prepare the drive for XP using the Alignment Tool, then install XP, and only then can you install Windows 7/8.1.

Step 1 Prepare the partition for the second operating system.

Create a partition on your hard drive where you will subsequently install XP. If you need to partition a disk or redistribute space between existing partitions, use the free MiniTool Partition Wizard Home program (Download from the official website).

Important! Prepare sections EXCLUSIVELY on Windows 7/8.1/10 BEFORE installing XP! We strongly DO NOT recommend partitioning the disk in the XP installer! All you have to do in the XP installer regarding partitions is select the partition you want and quickly format it!

Let's say you have three partitions on your disk:

Bootable (capacity 100MB for Windows 7 or 350MB for Windows 8/10)
System, where Windows 7/8./10 is installed.

For Windows XP, you create a fourth partition. Where it will be placed and from which section to cut off the area is up to you. Of course, it is more logical to arrange the sections like this:

Bootable
System, where Windows 7/8/8.1 is installed.
Windows XP installation section
Disk with user data.

Although you will format the partition in Windows XP Setup, you can format it in Windows 7/8/10 so that you can set a label. And the label will help you not to make a mistake in choosing the right partition in the XP installation program.

Step 2 Install Windows XP

Boot from the installation CD or bootable USB flash drive and install Windows XP on the prepared partition. Be extremely careful when choosing a section. Be guided by its size.

Select a section and click Enter:

Select an item Format partition in NTFS system (fast):

Further steps for installing Windows XP do not differ from its usual installation as the only operating system.

After installation is complete, boot into XP and install all necessary device drivers. Set up your network and internet (if necessary).

Step 3 Restore the bootloader of the first operating system and add an entry for the second previous generation system to it

A. Preparatory stage. Downloading support software

Click Register at the bottom of the page:

To download, just like it on behalf of your Facebook account or subscribe by email:

The program requires Microsoft .NET 2.0 SP2 Framework. You can download from the Microsoft website http://www.microsoft.com/ru-RU/download/details.aspx?id=1639:

Install Microsoft .Net 2.0 SP2 Framework.
Install the EasyBCD program.

B. Restoring the Windows 7/8/10 bootloader

During the installation of XP, the Windows 7/8/10 boot loader got lost. Therefore, the first thing we need to do is restore it.

Launch EasyBCD.

Go to section BCD installation.
Select the partition where the Windows 7\8 bootloader was located before installing XP.
In most cases, this is the very first partition, 100MB in size for Windows 7 or 350MB if your first system was Windows 8\8.1.
Select bootloader type - Windows Vista/7/8 in MBR
Click the button Rewrite MBR

After this, the Windows XP bootloader will be erased, and a new type of bootloader will be installed in its place.

Restart your computer. Now, instead of XP, your copy of Windows 7/10 should boot again.

Now our task is to add a second entry to the bootloader - to boot XP.

B. Adding XP boot entry to Windows 7/8/10 boot loader

Install EasyBCD in the same way again - now on Windows 7/8/10.

Launch EasyBCD.

Click Add a note
Select OS type Windows NT/2k/XP/2k3
Select a system name.
This is the name that will appear in the menu when loading. We recommend removing the word Microsoft.
Click the button Add:

Now go to the section Current settings and check that the second boot entry is added:

After this you can click the button Edit boot menu, select the time for displaying the menu with a choice of operating systems at boot and rename the OS names. If you make changes, don't forget to click the button at the end Save:

METHOD 2. Installing Windows XP while the hard drive with Windows 7/8.1/10 is disconnected

This method, as we wrote above, is more suitable for desktop computers and only some laptops where it is possible to connect several data storage devices. The advantages of this method:

You don't risk accidentally erasing an already installed Windows 7/8.1/10 while installing XP.
If you disconnect any of the physical disks, you will be able to boot from the remaining disk because this method places the bootloaders on different physical disks. You may only need to adjust the boot order in the BIOS.

Step 1 Turn off your computer. Disconnect the data cable from the hard drive on which Windows 7/8.1/10 is installed

Step 2 Turn on your computer and install XP on the remaining hard drive in the usual way - as if this Windows would be the only one. Install all necessary drivers.

Step 3 Turn off the computer and connect the hard drive with Windows 7/8.1/10 back to the previous SATA port.

Step 4 Download Windows 7/8/10.
If you haven't changed the boot priority in the BIOS, by default you should boot from the same drive into your old Windows 7/8/8.1.