Easy way of installing and testing several versions of Windows on same HDD


jimbo45

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Hi folks
Have to credit @cereberus who gave me the idea

I've been using separate WintoGo versions of Windows for testing etc etc in order to avoid messing around with altering HDD with current running versions of Windows -- however if you have a nice large external SSD it's much easier to use and boot from VHDX (virtual HDD's) drives.

Note these are s NOT Virtual machines -- you are running the physical OS with all its hardware just as you would be from your standard installation.

Advantage also is you can use your current installation so you don't have to install from scratch. Also good when you want Windows / Office etc in separate languages without having to switch / set primary OS.

So 1 ) create one or more VHDX virtual Disks on external device for each Windows installation you need -- ensure each VHDX disk is large enough for your Windows system

2) attach and initialise -- simply use Disk Mgmt from right mouse click on Windows menu button

3) clone current Windows to appropriate VHDX -- I use Macrium but any cloning software that works on Windows should be OK

4) now note driver letter of windows in vhdx : say E:\
5) from admin command prompt type : bcdboot E:\windows /p /d

6) Reboot pc and you can now select vhd to boot from.

I wish I'ds done this a lot earlier -- great way of testing various Windows versions without messing around with your standard HDD or doing endless backups / restores. !!!

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
Hi folks
Have to credit @cereberus who gave me the idea

I've been using separate WintoGo versions of Windows for testing etc etc in order to avoid messing around with altering HDD with current running versions of Windows -- however if you have a nice large external SSD it's much easier to use and boot from VHDX (virtual HDD's) drives.

Note these are s NOT Virtual machines -- you are running the physical OS with all its hardware just as you would be from your standard installation.

Advantage also is you can use your current installation so you don't have to install from scratch. Also good when you want Windows / Office etc in separate languages without having to switch / set primary OS.

So 1 ) create one or more VHDX virtual Disks on external device for each Windows installation you need -- ensure each VHDX disk is large enough for your Windows system

2) attach and initialise -- simply use Disk Mgmt from right mouse click on Windows menu button

3) clone current Windows to appropriate VHDX -- I use Macrium but any cloning software that works on Windows should be OK

4) now note driver letter of windows in vhdx : say E:\
5) from admin command prompt type : bcdboot E:\windows /p /d

6) Reboot pc and you can now select vhd to boot from.

I wish I'ds done this a lot earlier -- great way of testing various Windows versions without messing around with your standard HDD or doing endless backups / restores. !!!

Cheers
jimbo,
Only problem with VHDs is that, if natively attached to host, they do not get upgraded when Windows moves to next major build (it is ok for cumulative updates).

I always install OS in Hyper-V first so it has all the partitions (MSR, Recovery) as well as main C drive. It also means you can carry on using pc whilst OS is installing.

That way, if you get a build upgrade, you can attach vhd to Hyper-V and then upgrade.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
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    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
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    1920x1080
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    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
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    Yep, got one
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    Yep, got one
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    Bluetooth , wired
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    72 Mb/s :-(
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    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
Only problem with VHDs is that, if natively attached to host, they do not get upgraded when Windows moves to next major build (it is ok for cumulative updates).

I always install OS in Hyper-V first so it has all the partitions (MSR, Recovery) as well as main C drive. It also means you can carry on using pc whilst OS is installing.

That way, if you get a build upgrade, you can attach vhd to Hyper-V and then upgrade.
Also a good idea

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
Only problem with VHDs is that, if natively attached to host, they do not get upgraded when Windows moves to next major build (it is ok for cumulative updates).
Didn't MS change the way major upgrades are delivered? I think I read this somewhere. So should not be an issue anymore.

I could be wrong though... :think:
 

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    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 build 10.0.22631.3296 (Release Channel) / Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon
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    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo A485
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 2700U Pro
    Motherboard
    Lenovo (WiFi/BT module upgraded to Intel Wireless-AC-9260)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    iGPU Vega 10
    Sound Card
    Realtek
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    14" FHD (built-in) + 14" Lenovo Thinkvision M14t (touch+pen) + 32" Asus PB328
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    Intel 660p m.2 nVME PCIe3.0 x2 512GB
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  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 build 10.0.22631.3296(Release Preview Channel)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
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    i7-7700k @4.8GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus PRIME Z270-A
    Memory
    32GB 2x16GB 2133MHz CL15
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    EVGA GTX1080Ti FTW 11GB
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    Integrated
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    32" 10-bit Asus PB328Q
    Screen Resolution
    WQHD 2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    512GB ADATA SX8000NP NVMe PCIe Gen 3 x4
    PSU
    850W
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 2S
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Keys
    Internet Speed
    600/300Mbit
    Browser
    Edge (Cromium)
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    AC WiFi Card
No - Dev versions are still done using the uup method rather than the CU method.

When Windows does the minor build upgrades like 21H1 to 21H2 that is done as a cumulative update. New pattern is 1 major upgrade per year (UUP), and 1 minor upgrade (CU) but whether that pattern is kept to is anybody's guess.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0

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