Windows 7 installation on D drive

[sirius]

I have had problems with Windows XP istallation in drives other than C: in the past. Some 'very few' softwares do not follow the OS directory norm and they install software for default settings. And one of those softwares is from Intel (the CD they supply with the MB), and you can't even customize!; for example, it installed Acrobat Reader into C:\Program Files. I really don't think they'd install the drivers too into C: (or else they wouldn't work I guess).

Is there any solution?

I have Windows XP on C drive and want to try out Windows 7 before totally moving to it. Is it safe in general to install the same onto D drive?

/s

P.S: I am already planning to inform Intel about this ridiculous oversight on their part! :)

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

As long as your D: drive is a primary partition, it should be perfectly OK to install any Windows version on it.

Another way of installing multiple Windows version is by using a non-Microsoft boot manager, which will install Windows on a hidden partition, which becomes a visible C: drive when booting. In other words, each partition becomes the C: drive when selected.

But I personally prefer to have all partitions visible; i.e. my current Windows installation is on my E: drive. All programs, including Adobe Reader, automatically install onto E:\Program Files.

[MANEMAN]

Hi there, Welcome.

As Pat has just correctly pointed out:

Pat Said: Another way of installing multiple Windows version is by using a non-Microsoft boot manager, which will install Windows on a hidden partition, which becomes a visible C: drive when booting. In other words, each partition becomes the C: drive when selected.

Here is a screenshot of PQBoot, showing what Pat means.

Three instances of Windows XP, all can be designated with the drive letter C: because only one instance of XP at a time is "Active" and unhidden.

Pat Said: As long as your D: drive is a primary partition, it should be perfectly OK to install any Windows version on it.

If you want to dual boot in that situation (switch between XP and Windows 7) the easiest way is to use *** Easybcd ***

If at any time you should wish to change drive letters in XP, (not what you want in this situation, but useful for future reference maybe) look **Here**

John.

[sirius]

thanks ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb and MANEMAN for helping me out.

But I went ahead with installing Windows 7 on D drive today and you wouldn't believe but it comes pre-equipped with the functionality of the third party softwares you guys were suggesting!(ofcourse,with no customization)

When I boot to Windows 7, I see that drive C is infact D Drive in windows XP!!

I am impressed the way Microsoft handled this for lazy thirdparty installers (like intel's as i mentioned) and many more I would guess.

/s