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Dual Boot Windows 11 and Windows 7 [Easy Steps]

Apply these easy steps right away

7 min. read

Updated onDecember 15, 2023

updated onDecember 15, 2023

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Key notes

Windows 11 is an interesting operating system, but some users are still reluctant to make the transition, while others are determined touse Windows 7 forever.

However, according to our survey,Windows 7 users are excited about Windows 11 and they may switch to it.

If you’re ready for this change as well, in this guide we’re going to show you how to correctly dual boot Windows 11 and Windows 7 on your PC.

What are Windows 11’s requirements?

Windows 11 requirementshave been known for a while, and many users are unhappy becauseWindows11 requires a TPM to work.

Many of them reported getting the same error sayingThis PC can’t run Windows 11because they don’t have the TPM chip installed. Be sure to check ourTPM and Windows 11guide for more information.

Also, you must verify if your CPU is supported byWindows11 since some older processors won’t work withWindows11.

How can I dual boot Windows 11 and Windows 7?

How can I dual boot Windows 11 and Windows 7?

Install Windows 7 after Windows 11

  1. Create aWindows7 partition on your PC

For more advanced drive manipulation capabilities, we recommendParagon Partition Manageras the tool to go.

  1. DownloadWindows7 ISO and create a bootabledrive

If you haveWindows7 DVD you can use it to create an ISO file using specializedsoftware to convert files to ISO. Or if you have a DVDdrive, you can use the DVD to installWindows7 directly from it.

  1. Boot from theWindows7 flash drive and installWindows7

After doing that, you’ll be able to dual bootWindows11 andWindows7 without any problems.

Install Windows 11 after Windows 7

  1. Create a dedicated Window 11 partition

This process is almost identical to creating a partition onWindows11, so we’ll keep it brief.

  1. Create a bootableWindows10drive

  2. Boot from theWindows10 installation media and installWindows11

  3. Join the Windows Insider Program and installWindows11

After doing that, the dual boot forWindows11 andWindows7 should be working without any problems.

Should I keep using Windows 7?

Microsoft hasn’t maintainedWindows7 since the beginning of 2020, so the system is outdated and vulnerable. However, you can still keep it safe usingWindows 7 antivirus software.

Another problem is that many developers aren’t making software forWindows7 anymore, so your favorite apps might not work onthis OS.

As you can see, Microsoft and other developers are ready to dropitentirely, so you shouldn’t use it as your mainoperating system. But if you are a fan of the legacy OS, use anonline Windows 7 simulatorto relive the good old days.

This might be the right time to considerWindows11, but you should know thatupgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 7 will require a clean install.

How can I set the default operating system if I use dual boot?

We hope you found this guide informative and managed to dual bootWindows11 andWindows7 without any problems on your PC.

Keep in mind thatWindows7 isn’t supported anymore, and you shouldn’t use it as your everydayoperating system, but you can enjoy it in dual boot mode, especially if you want it to run older applications or games. Also, you cantriple boot Windows 11, Windows 7, and Linux.

Are you going to dual boot yourPC,or do you plan to switch toWindows11? Let us know in the comments section below.

More about the topics:dual boot,Windows 11,windows 7

Milan Stanojevic

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.

Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.

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Milan Stanojevic

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.