Installing Windows 8 to HDD while Windows 7 is running?

Question

Basically, I want to still use my PC while I install Windows 8.

The drive I want to install to is physically different from the one I am running Windows 7 on, and so, if I wanted to boot to Windows 8, I'd choose a different boot device from my BIOS.

Can I install Windows 8 to a separate hard drive (not external) whilst still using Windows 7, without touching the Windows 7 installation?

score 6 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 07 '12 at 20:49

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It wont "touch" your windows 7 install but you wont be able use the computer while you're installing an OS. You cant boot to the drive with windows 7 on and then somehow boot seperately to your windows 8 installation disk

answered Dec 07 '12 at 20:49

MalwareManiac

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I've done something similar before with Debian - It can be done. – Steffan Donal Dec 07 '12 at 20:57
If you say so. Ive never heard of that and by the upvotes it seems like im not the only one. If you figure it out let me know cause that would be very handy if possible – MalwareManiac Dec 07 '12 at 20:59
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@Ruirize - Well...Its not possible with Windows. – Ramhound Dec 10 '12 at 14:35
@Ramhound - I've already done it. I just ran the installer from 7 and canceled the reboot. – Steffan Donal Dec 10 '12 at 14:52

score 5 · Accepted Answer · edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17

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I think what you are looking for is built into Windows, it's called imagex.

About

imagex /apply d:\imaging\data.wim 1 d:\New_Directory /verify

Here is actually another SuperUser answer about it. I would summarize it, but it is complete with screenshots and somewhat lengthy.

Edit: As per the commenters below, this is not the fastest or easiest method, and it would be fastest to just boot the disc live and install directly. However, if you really want to do it this way, that is the best resource I have seen.

edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17

Community

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answered Dec 07 '12 at 20:59

nerdwaller

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With the time it would take you to set up the image, though, you'd be better off just doing it normally - the lost productivity would be less. – Shinrai Dec 07 '12 at 21:03
@Shinrai True as that may be (and as much as I may agree), I am just answering the question posed by the OP. – nerdwaller Dec 07 '12 at 21:05
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@nerdwaller Sometimes when someone asks [if they should use a shoe or a bottle](http://weblogs.asp.net/alex_papadimoulis/archive/2005/05/25/408925.aspx) you need to go tell them to go use a hammer. – Scott Chamberlain Dec 07 '12 at 21:23
@ScottChamberlain - Sure, provide the suggestion. But one way or another they'll learn themselves. – nerdwaller Dec 07 '12 at 21:34
For the record though, I do agree. – nerdwaller Dec 07 '12 at 21:57
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I've updated the accepted answer to this one - it's a much better solution than relying on the restart timer countdown not actually doing anything in the background. It's the safe option – Steffan Donal Apr 25 '19 at 09:52

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 08 '12 at 10:11

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Run the Windows 8 installer from Windows 7. Press Alt+Tab to switch back to your other applications. When it goes to restart, kill the process.

You can then finish installation by restarting your PC and choosing the Windows 8 drive from your BIOS boot menu.

answered Dec 08 '12 at 10:11

Steffan Donal

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Killing the process... Smart one. :D – Tamara Wijsman Dec 08 '12 at 10:39
In all fairness, there's no other (easy) way to do this, and the Windows installer is literally doing nothing while it counts down to restart. – Steffan Donal Dec 08 '12 at 10:40
Kill the process... and corrupt your data. – Apr 25 '19 at 08:43

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Dec 08 '12 at 11:01

Here is how I would do it. I would just create a virtual machine (your favorite vendor) and give it access to the windows 8 drive. I will boot it and install windows 8 inside, will add with bcdedit the entry for booting and then on the first boot entry into Windows 8 will just start it in safe mode to recognize the real hardware.

Installing Windows 8 to HDD while Windows 7 is running?

4 Answers4