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How to Triple Boot Windows 11, Windows 7 and Linux
The PC’s overall performance won’t be affected
5 min. read
Published onDecember 15, 2023
published onDecember 15, 2023
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Key notes
You can boot multiple operating systems on the PC as long as it has the hardware abilities to do so. And today, we will triple boot Windows 11, Windows 7, and Linux!
Remember, since Microsoft is no longer distributing the Windows 7 ISO, you will have to download it either from third-party sources or use the installation disc.
How can I triple boot Windows 11, Windows 7, and Linux?
We assume you already have Windows 11 running and are trying to install Windows 7 and Linux. If your computer has another OS, use thesesteps to install Windows 11, and for the other one, the steps below should suffice.
Also, we will be installing the operating systems individually so that a single USB drive is required. The entire process will take a few hours and largely depends on the disk’s read/write speed and the Internet speed.
Here are the prerequisites:
1. Creating empty partitions on the drive
2. Installing Windows 7
2.1 Creating a bootable Windows 7 ISO
While creating a bootable drive, we encountered theError: Access to this device is deniedmessage.
To fix it, openWindows Security> selectVirus & threat protection> click onManage ransomware protection> disable the toggle forControlled folder access.
2.2 Installing Windows 7 via the bootable drive
You are done with half the steps to triple boot Windows 11, Windows 7, and Linux. At this point, it’s basically adual boot setup for Windows 7 and Windows 11. Every time you turn on the PC, it will ask you to choose between the two operating systems.
After installing Windows 7, some of the devices may fail to work due to incompatible drivers. So, you will have to search for compatible driver versions on the manufacturer’s website and manually install them.
If a driver for Windows 7 is not available, try one for another iteration, but there’s no guarantee that it will work.
Once done, don’t forget to format the USB drive so that we can use the same for installing Linux!
3. Installing Linux
3.1 Creating a bootable USB
3.2 Installing Linux through the bootable USB
This completes our triple boot setup of Windows 7, Windows 11, and Linux Mint. Remember, you can, similarly, install as many operating systems. We have seen users with over 20 operating systems installed, and all function seamlessly!
You can alsodual-boot Windows 11 and macOS, and the process is just as easy!
A simpler alternative is to use areliable Virtual Machine. These help make the installation a lot simpler, and the initial boot setup of the PC remains unaffected.
For any queries or to share your experience triple booting the operating systems, drop a comment below.
More about the topics:Linux,Windows 11,windows 7
Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim has always been fond of technology, be it scrolling through the settings on his iPhone, Android device, or Windows PC. He’s specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
Long-time Windows user, Kazim is ready to provide a solution for your every software & hardware error on Windows 11, Windows 10 and any previous iteration. He’s also one of our experts in Networking & Security.
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Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim is specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
Reviewed byAlex Serban
