Set up two operating systems side by side on a single machine.
Set up two operating systems side by side on a single machine.
I attempted to set up Windows 7 on a secondary drive, but it disrupted the boot loader during the Windows 10 installation. I had to repair the MBR using the command prompt. You want to run Windows 7 on one drive while keeping Windows 10 on another?
The method involves disconnecting (unplugging) the other drive while setting up each system. Start by taking out Drive #2 and installing Windows 7 on Drive #1. Once done, remove Drive #1 and reinsert Drive #2. Next, install Windows 10. After that, you can reinsert Drive #1 and select the boot drive during the startup process. If additional drives are present, remove them as well for this procedure. Windows tends to store data across all available drives during installation.
Avoid modifying the boot loader of either Windows 7 or 10 installs. Set up Windows 10 on Disk #1, disconnect it, then install Disk #2. Place Windows 7 on Disk #2, reinstall both disks into the system.
This approach is likely safe for your current Windows 10 setup. Just deleting the drive and using an empty SSD for Windows 7 should work without issues. It’s a common way to switch operating systems.