Can I install windows xp or windows 7 on a partitioned drive?

I have Windows 8.1 installed on my Toshiba Satellite C55-A laptop. I have 418GB free of 453GB total. Can I partition the drive and install an earlier version? I have a piece of hardware (M-Audio Pre-USB interface) that will work with Windows 7 or XP, but
it does not work with 8.1. It would be nice to have an OS that accommodates some of the older stuff. Thanks - Dave

Hi，
As T. Kujala said, you can install Windows 7 on your Windows 8.1.
Here are a couple of things to be aware of during the installation process.
1.Disbale the fast boot.
2.If you finished the installation for Windows 7,you need to modify the BCD file on Windows 8.1 system.
On Windows 8.1 system，please perform the following steps:
1).Press Win+x, and click Command Prompt(admin)
2).Type "cmd",and press enter.
3).Type "bcdboot D:\windows /s c: /l en-us" in the CMD.(D=Windows 7 system folder)
4).Reboot the system.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Kelvin hsu
TechNet Community Support

Similar Messages

Can I install windows on a RAID hard drive?

Hi,
I recently purchased a used macPro. This mac pro had a raid set so 4 1TB hard drives were created to make one 4 GB partition. This made the raid utility pop up frequently saying there was something wrong so I just broke the RAID set and tried to set the disk up as their on storage partitions (Just as if they were 4 normal hard drives. Now that I did this, only 3 out of the 4 hard drives are visible in disk utility. Also, I reinstalled macosx snow leopard and tried installing bootcamp but when I partition the hard drive and restart using the windows installation disk, it doesn't show that I have any available hard drives to install windows on. Is this because of my RAID disks? (Sorry I don't know anything about raid disks and didn't know this computer had it before I bought it)
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

As stated in the Mac Pro RAID card FAQ you can't install Windows if you have the drives controlled by that card.
Question: Why can't I install Boot Camp on my Mac Pro or Xserve that uses a RAID?
Answer: Boot Camp does not support the installation of Windows onto a Mac using hardware or software RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Drives). Boot Camp is not supported on the Xserve with or without the Xserve RAID Card installed.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1346
Look inside and see if there is a RAID controller from Apple, proably top slot #4. Also look in System Profile under SATA interface.
Pull non-graphic card, seems you don't need it if you have one.
You are not getting something: internal hard drives are one thing. RAID card is another. The RAID card just replaces the normal SATA controller that otherwise interfaces.
Take a look at the photos and manual for the card.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3514
You can find the above from the Mac Pro Support home page I posted above.

How can I install windows 7 on a jump drive

I am having trouble installing windows-7 on a jump drive. A person at the genius bar told me I could do this. I have converted the jump drive (64 GB) to a FAT format, but I have not found a way to save the W-7 (32-bit) on the jump drive. The only option seems to be installing through bootcamp into a partition on my Mac. Can anyone help?

Or you can run Windows in a virtual machine, which saves having to reboot to Boot Camp. This allows you to access Mac OS and Windows from one boot.
Parallels
VirtualBox
VM Fusion

Can I install Windows Applications on an External Drive?

I would like to install Windows apps on an external drive. Is this possible?
Windows Vista will of course reside on the internal drive. (on a 2009 Mac Mini)

Is this possible?
Only if the application is explicitly designated as being portable. It may work for other applications, but isn't guaranteed to succeed, as most Windows applications modify the registry when installed and/or use system components.
(46573)

I have a mid 2010 Macbook Pro, How can I install Windows 7 without an Optical Drive?

For clarity: I have a mid 2010, Macbook Pro. I recently decided to upgrade to a Crucial SSD drive, double the ram (8 gigs), and remove the optical drive in favor of using my old drive as a back up. I am also currently running Yosemite.
I want to install Windows 7 onto my SSD, using bootcamp. Unfortunately I no longer have an optical drive installed, which makes things difficult as Bootcamp does not even give me the option to create a bootable USB.
Now, this is where things get kinda fuzzy:
MId 2010 macbooks use EFI, and are quite capable of booting from USB. How do I know? Because I booted from a USB drive in order to do a fresh install of Yosemite on my SSD.
I have read mutliple forums and threads with claims that folks have had no problems doing this on 2008 Macbook Pros running Snow Leopard. However, what seemed to be required was some clever .plist modding. I have used both text wrangler, and x-code to do this, unfortunately upon booting of bootcamp, bootcamp instantly crashes. Naturally, I can restore bootcamp because I made backups of the .plist file.
It would seem that modffying the .plist file assumes that the option to create a bootable USB device is grayed out. In my case, it is non existent.
I have also read that folks have had success using rEFIt, however rEFIt has been forked to rEFIned, and the developer of rEFIned made mention on his site that Yosemite handles booting differently than previous versions of OSX.
WIth that, I was hoping that some kind person could explain to me whats going on, what I am missing, and what I can do to make this happen just shy of tearing down my MBP and reisntalling the Optical Drive and dusting off my Win 7 disc.
Also, my Model Number/Bootrom is MBP 6,2.
Thanks in advance!

Thank you for your reply, and the information. This is what I came up with:
I added the strings as instructed, however when I went to sign the script in terminal, I was told:
/Applications/Utilities/Boot Camp Assistant.app: replacing existing signature
/Applications/Utilities/Boot Camp Assistant.app: code object is not signed at all
In subcomponent: /Applications/Utilities/Boot Camp Assistant.app/Contents/info.plist
Also, here are screen captures of the lines that I added. Mine are the top string entries:
Thank you for your help, thus far!

Can't install Windows 7 Pro x64 - device driver missing - can't eject DVD

Hello,
I am trying to install Windows 7 Pro x64 - I create the partition in boot camp and start windows install process. **During the Windows install process**, it says "A required CD/DVD device driver is missing. If you have a driver floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB flash drive, please insert it now. Note: if the Windows installation media is in the CD/DVD drive, you can safely remove it for this step".
Apparently the drivers are on the OSX install DVD. But, there is no way to eject the windows DVD! Why on earth is there no manual eject on Macs? Is there another way to eject? I tried to put a paperclick in the slot next to where a CD is inserted but it didn't do anything. Is there another way to get Windows to see the correct device drivers?
I am all for clean slick designs, but when it does not have all required functionality, it is kind of useless.
I am talking to Mac Support and they can't help.
Looks like I will have to return this Mac, I also need to boot into full Windows (without Parallels or VMWare) to do my work.
dan
Message was edited by: dbperson

You don't mention what Mac you have, so I'd have to say there is almost no way to help.
IF the 7 Pro x64 came download ISO thru EDU, you have to burn it, and if you use Disk Utility, at 2X reduced burn speed... otherwise it won't work.
A VM isn't fussy and can use ISOs.
If you want both native and VM, to have Windows installed on its own hard drive and use it under OS X, then you have to install it and use Boot Camp Assistant.
I'd say it is all about your DVD media.

Can I install windows on a fresh hard drive?

I'm installing a fresh hard drive into a macbook pro, I'm wondering if the hard drive will accept a windows 7 disc to install as OS, or will it only accept OSX, and if I'd have to go through bootcamp.

Yes, it's a complete OS. But if you have an empty HDD to setup you will need to install the original OS X that came on the computer originally. If it came with Lion or later:
Install Mavericks, Lion/Mountain Lion Using Internet Recovery
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
Boot to the Internet Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears on the screen. Wait patiently - 15-20 minutes - until the Recovery main menu appears.
Partition and Format the hard drive:
1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
2. After DU loads select your newly installed hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion. Mavericks: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion, Mavericks and click on the Install button. Be sure to select the correct drive to use if you have more than one.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet
            if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.
This should restore the version of OS X originally pre-installed on the computer.
If it had an earlier version of OS X:
Clean Install of Snow Leopard
Be sure to make a backup first because the following procedure will erase
the drive and everything on it.
     1. Boot the computer using the Snow Leopard Installer Disc or the Disc 1 that came
         with your computer. Insert the disc into the optical drive and restart the computer.
         After the chime press and hold down the "C" key. Release the key when you see
         a small spinning gear appear below the dark gray Apple logo.
     2. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue
         button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
         After DU loads select the hard drive entry from the left side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive
         size.) Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window. Set the number of
         partitions to one (1) from the Partitions drop down menu, click on Options button
         and select GUID, click on OK, then set the format type to MacOS Extended
         (Journaled, if supported), then click on the Apply button.
     3. When the formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed
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     4. When the installation has completed your computer will Restart into the Setup
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Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.

Can't install windows 7 from external dvd drive

Hi,
I have a Late 2006 Macbook (I think). I am trying to install Windows 7 on it. The partitioning goes well. My Main issue is that my DVD drive is Busted. Whenever i try to install Windows 7 Ultimate 64 but from my Samsung External DVDRW Drive, The apple logo starts to flash with a Cross going through it. Are there any methods and solutions to install windows 7 on it?
I have also tried using rEFIt but when booting from a USB, it gives a whole list of Errors.
Plese Help Me
Thank you

HOLD ON GUYS THE PROBLEME IS MINOR AND THE SOLUTION SIMPLE, THE G585 WIN8 IS NOT THAT BAD AFTER U READ THIS OR GO DIRECTLY TO THE LENOVO SUPPORT LINK BELOW AND APPLY THE FIX..
I had the same problem with my new G585, I couldn't get any windows 8 upgrades done by undoing and reversing to pre-upgrade state right after reboot which made my system unstable and very slow to use and windows8 very buggy, it was very frustrating but I didn't give up and kept trying to upgrade with no success to the point I started to think that either something was wrong with my unit even though I had it for less than 2 weeks since I bought it from best buy or Lenovo effed up this time with this sluggish configuration and that I have to add RAM and see if its any better b4 returning it to them for servicing.. well IT TURNS OUT YES LENO EFFED UP BUT NOT WITH THE CONFIGURATION BUT WITH SOME BLOATWEAR CALLED NITRO PDF THAT WILL NOT LET U UPGRADE WINDOWS8 AND SPESIFECLY THE UPGRADE PART OF NITRO PDF FROM TRIAL VERSION TO FULL VERSION CALLED NITRO PDF PRO 7 OR SOME SH** LIKE THAT, THE GOOD PART IS NITRO IS OFFERING A DOWNLOAD FIX U CAN DO WHEN YOU USE THE BLOATHWEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME OR BETTER YET BY DELETING THAT APP AFTER THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO UPGRADE YOUR WINDOWS8 OS AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED BY HOW MANY UPGRADES YOU WILL GO THRU BUT YOUR SYSTEME WILL START RUNNING FASTER AND SMOOTHER FROM THE FEW FIRST UPGRADE. LET ME KNOW HOW IT TURNS OUT WITH YOU.
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Windows-8/Microsoft-Windows-8-Updates-may-fail-to-apply/td-p/926945

Can I install Windows through an external hard-drive onto bootcamp?

Is there any way for me to install Windows onto my mac by using an external harddrive that contains the install files to windows 7?

Welcome to Apple Communities
You can install it with a USB drive. Connect it, open Boot Camp Assistant and follow steps

How can I install window 8 on external hard drive on mac mini

So, I have mac mini and I'd like to install win8 on external hard drive and can anyone give me guides to do it?
also I wonder would I be able to run win 8 after installation using parallels desktop?
thanks in advance

I have to agree that Windows8 is a waste of time, especially if you don't have a touch screen and compatible apps.
However, the latest version of Parallels supports running Windows8, Parallels can either run Windows from a 'virtual disk' file which can be stored wherever you want including on an external drive, or it can also be configured to run Windows from a Boot Camp partition created using Apple's Boot Camp Utility.
See http://download.parallels.com/desktop/v7/update2/docs/en/Parallels%20Desktop%20U ser's%20Guide/32733.htm
In order to run Boot Camp from an external drive and therefore be able to setup the Boot Camp partition on the external drive you first have to install and run OS X on the external drive. Then the Boot Camp utility will let you add the Boot Camp partition on the external drive. You cannot run OS X and the Boot Camp utility from an internal drive and try adding the Boot Camp partition to the external drive. The Boot Camp Utility only lets you add the partition on the same physical drive it is running from.
Personally I have legal XP and Windows7 licenses (currently using Windows7) and even if the Windows8 upgrade was totally free of charge I would not bother with it. I would also not bother with it at work as an IT Manager.

Can't install windows 8 on gpt partition

Hi, my laptop came pre-installed with windows 8.1 and it did't allow Fifa13 to run, then I deleted the partition and tried to install windows 7 ultimate because it allows Fifa 13 to run. When installing windows 8.1 it displays "windows
cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style."
Now my laptop is not starting at all. Please help me as I really need to use my pc.
Thank you.
Joseph Shobede

The question is a bit ambiguos. Kindly confirm do you see the error message while installing Windows 7 or Windows 8.1?
If you're instaling Windows 7 and seeing the error, you need to perform the following:
Turn off the PC, and put in the Windows installation DVD or USB key.
Boot the PC to the DVD or USB key in Legacy BIOS mode (or non-UEFI). For more info, see Boot
to UEFI Mode or Legacy BIOS mode.
From inside Windows Setup, press Shift+F10 to open a command prompt window.
Open the diskpart tool:
diskpart
Identify the drive to reformat:
list disk
Select the drive, and reformat it:
select disk <disk number>
clean
convert mbr
exit
Close the command prompt window.
Continue the Windows Setup installation.
When choosing an installation type, select Custom. The drive will appear as a single area of unallocated space.
Select the unallocated space and click Next. Windows begins the installation.
[with input from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn336946.aspx]
Balaji Kundalam

Can't instal Windows 7 to new hard drive

Hello everyone,
I was looking for solution for a while, but cant find it, so I really hope you'll help me here !
First of all, I 've been using my pc until I received the S.M.A.R.T. warning about possible hard drive failure soon, and one morning PC didnt start - one of the hard drives was dead (in my hp model there are two hard drives). After finding out which one was it ( I tried taking one hard drive out, leaving the other and vice versa) I bought a new 500 GB hard drive. Aparently the damaged hard drive was the one with operating system, because of startup message which told me that operating system not found. Nothing fancy, just instal windows like I always did, or so I thought ..
Got my USB flash drive with Windows 7 64 bit, plug it in, the usual windows instal guide loads up. I choose my language , keyboard input etc . At the point where I have to choose "where do I want to instal my windows" I see two hard drives: 1) disk 0 Partition 1 (my old original 232 GB stock drive) and 2) disk 1 Partition 1 (new recently purchased 500GB drive).
So ofcourse, since I replaced old hard drive with the new one I just bought, put it in the same slot, naturaly I chose my location for windows - new hard disk 1 Partition 1. When I highlighted it, a yellow mark apeared at the botom which said "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu".
Ok, so I tried to continue anyway, I pressed next and windows began to instal, took about 10 - 15 mins. Everythings normal until first restart part before completing instalation. PC restarted and .. Windows instalation setup started once more from the begining. So I thought , ok I ll try to instal to the old hard drive disk 0 Partition 1 ( this time there was no yellow warning mark). So instalation began again , restarted , and ... Once more instalation setup starting from begining !
I am really lost here, I tried replacing hard drives places whith each other, or leaving just one of them, every time windows starts instaling from begining ! Allthough, everytime there are less and less disk space, which means it actualy is instaling.
So any thoughts where to start ?
I would be so greatful for your help,
And see ya

Hi @Seniunas ,
Welcome to the HP Forums!
It is a terrific place to find answers and suggestions!
For you to have the best experience in the HP forum I would like to direct your attention to the HP Forums Guide Learn How to Post and More
It is my understand that one of your two hard drives failed. You have replaced the failed drive and are having a difficulty installing Windows 7 from a USB stick.
I have some questions.
What is your exact model of n DV9700 notebook?
How Do I Find My Model Number or Product Number?
Is this a retail version of Windows 7?
Were your drives setup in a RAID configuration or just two individual drives, one being the boot drive with Windows.
You could try this, I am not sure if it will work.
Remove the 232 GB drive completely from your system.
Boot to your Windows 7, USB stick and let Windows format the drive before it installing Windows.
If this completes successfully, make sure the boot order is set to boot to that drive and test it.
If you are then able to boot into windows, shut down the notebook and reinstall the secondary drive.
Good Luck!
Sparkles1
I work on behalf of HP
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Can't install windows to mac osx partition!

Hi, I had 2 partitions in my macbook pro, 1 for mac osx and 1 for bootcamp, and I wanted to install mac osx to a firewire hard drive, but i messed it up and installed mac osx OVER the bootcamp partition.
Now I have 2 mac osx partitions on the macbook pro, and can't reformat the partition to reinstall bootcamp.
Is there a way to reformat that partition and reinstall bootcamp (windows)?
Thanks in advance!

That is why backup should be #1 and last.
You have to return (ie, reformat) your drive probably back to one partition with just Mac OS before you can use Boot Camp Assistant.
While at it, just clone one of your Mac OS volumes over to FW now. Later, with Windows installed, make an image of that (WinClone) while in Mac OS to your FW drive also.

HT1461 Can I Install Windows on a separate hard drive?

Could I install an additional hard drive on my Mac Pro for Boot Camp / Windows instead of partitioning the first one? I'll be using it for video, so I'll need a lot more space than I currently have.

Yes you can, don't use Boot Camp (except for obtaining drivers), and remove the OSX hard drive during installation. If you search this forum you'll find numerous examples.

Any way to install Windows XP on pre-partitioned drive?

Hi just installed a 2nd HDD in my MacBook Pro.
I have a version of Windows XP and already created a 50GB partition.
When I try to use BootCamp it wants to create a partition and will not let me proceed.
Any was around this?

Sorry Neil:
I put the Windows XP disc in and held down the option key and it did not appear in the available startup discs.
Since lion is a download, is the startup did you referred to a different mac disc??
It actually slowed my computer down after attempting to do what you suggested.

How can I install windows 8 on a mac without superdrive?

Hi there.
I have an old Macbook pro (early 2007) which is still quite good, except from the superdrive which got broken.
I would like to completely wipe out OSX (Lion) from that and install Windows 8 instead.
Problem is, I cannot install it from optical drive, since it's broken (and plus, I don't have access to an external drive).
Is it even possible to install windows 8 from USB on this computer? If so, what should I do?
Thank you!

You can only install Windows from an external disc drive or an USB drive in one of these computers:
- MacBook Pro with Retina display.
- MacBook Air.
- iMac (Late 2012).
- Mac mini (Mid 2010 and newer).
As you don't have any of these computers, you need the SuperDrive to install Windows 8. In your case, you have to install a SuperDrive in your MacBook Pro in order to install Windows by using Boot Camp

Can I install windows xp or windows 7 on a partitioned drive?

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