Access secondary storage and remove its contents.
Access secondary storage and remove its contents.
Begin with the given schedule: set XP as the main boot option first, then add 7 as a secondary one. Eventually, Windows 10 will take over and still allow dual booting with XP. Once you reach a point where you need to reset, XP won’t automatically switch to Windows 10. After the reset, the boot screen disappears entirely, loading straight to the new OS. The drive has been duplicated and backed up often, which helps preserve XP data. Your concern about erasing the XP partition is valid—simply deleting files isn't enough if the partition needs to be rebuilt. The MBR should already mark XP as the primary, but you’re unsure if that’s clear. Some might suggest using a new drive or a fresh install, but this isn’t your case. Regarding Windows 10 resetting, it likely won’t change the primary designation; XP will remain the default unless you alter the boot settings explicitly.
On Windows 10 navigate to the Start menu and enter msconfig.msc, then launch it. In the Boot tab, turn off any settings such as No GUI Boot.