System that runs two operating systems simultaneously.
System that runs two operating systems simultaneously.
Seeking a method to dual boot operating systems from two distinct drives. A pop-up menu should appear immediately after startup. Your PC is shared with your girlfriend, so keeping her files on a separate drive makes sense. She’s not tech-savvy and could get confused. You have a 25GB SSD as the main drive and a 3TB WD long-term storage unit. You intend to upgrade both of you with SSDs and use RAID. Any suggestions? *just a note, the bot will run Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 once they’re officially available.*
You just need to set up Windows on both drives and choose the right one for booting. Windows 8.1 improves its boot selection manager with a more user-friendly mouse interface. Be sure to install on the correct drives and set the proper boot drive. You might have to press the window key and 'r' to open the run dialog, then type "msconfig" and navigate to the boot section to configure the bootloader correctly.
Set up Windows on Drive 1. Set up Windows on Drive 2. The Boot Manager will ask each time you start. To keep her files on a different drive, use the registry editor and move her user profile there. Avoid giving her admin rights to protect against infection.
Is it necessary to use separate drives? If not, simply create two user accounts under one Windows installation.