Dual boot XP/Vista sharing common installed applications and
Posted by admin on Oct 28th, 2006
I have a machine running XP with a full gamut of installed applications (e.g. MS Office, iTunes, BDS2006, and many more).This is a test and development machine, so I need to keep the XP environment and all running application, but I want to also add Vista as a dual boot.My question is whether it is possible for the Vista install to leave the XP environment unchanged but copy the XP registry settings for the installed applications into the Vista registry. Basically I would like the existing applications to continue to work both under XP (existing) and Vista (new).My reason is that for time and disk space reasons, I want to avoid having to repeat the software installations of all these applications, and I want both O/S to access the same "My Documents" folders. For example "My Music" contains 5060GB of stuff that I would like to access and add to from both O/S instances.{ Note: I did not yet decide whether to put Vista a) on a separate folder in the same partition, b) on a different partition on the same drive, or c) on a completely different drive; the most likely choice is c) but I think that this is anyway irrelevant to my question... }
Oct 31st, 2006 at 03:14 pm
The software has to be installed under each operating system. Sorry.And, you will run into licensing issues to boot. Each operating system is treated as a separate computer. So, it is the same as if you were installing Office/Acrobat/AutoCAD etc. on two different boxes. Regards,Richard Urban MVP Microsoft Windows Shell/User "Andrew FiddianGreen"
Nov 3rd, 2006 at 03:15 pm
Hi Andrew,You can try using the Windows Easy Transfer Companion (still in beta) to migrate the programs, though it's more designed for an upgrade vs. a clean install: microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=39F724EB4E374BE0ADFC786786E73E50&displaylang=en&clcid=0x409Some notes: There is a known issue in dual boot situations with volsnap.sys in XP. It wipes out Vista's restore points. The only resolution to this is to have the Vista install partition hidden from XP through the use of a third party boot manager. Even if XP's System Restore is not running or monitoring that volume, it still happens. This problem occurs whether the install is on another volume/partition or on another physical drive. Do not try to install Vista to the same volume as XP as it will make some changes to the NTFS files system there and render your XP installation unbootable permanently. Shared user folders use different names. The "My" part has been dropped. Some of the programs may require an update or patch. Notably, Itunes is not yet ready for Vista. Best of Luck,Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" Microsoft MVP mvp.support.microsoft.com/ Windows help www.rickrogers.org"Andrew FiddianGreen"
Nov 7th, 2006 at 07:51 am
Richard,According to MS microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/default.aspx and three EULA's I checked for Office 2003 and 2007 he can use it on up to 3 computers (two for Office 2007 with one being a portable device which could be a portable drive?).I've not done this but he could try:1. Load the office package on the XP drive or even install it to a different drive and then,2. Boot up Vista and load it to the same drive location you did under XP.Again, I haven't tried that but since you can install Office on a network (with proper license) this technically should work (I think...).Bob S. "Richard Urban"
Nov 10th, 2006 at 11:22 pm
The world does not revolve around Microsoft Office alone, though Microsoft would like it to. Most any application you buy today is meant to be for use on one computer, unless the package says otherwise. Regards,Richard Urban MVP Microsoft Windows Shell/User "BobS"
Nov 12th, 2006 at 05:40 am
Richard,Not looking for a fight but he did state MS Office as one application and that is what I addressed. As for your statement about software being used on one computer not true when you consider the "Fair Use" laws. Also the fact that a number of vendors are now selling software that allow use on up to 3 computers.Certainly there is software that the license states for use only on "one" computer only but from what I've read, the Fair Use law allows a backup copy to be used on a different system. I've also read where this has been applied to DVD movies, music CD's as well as software and while it has been challenged in court they aren't winning (so far).Any comment on the technical aspects of loading it to the same location under both operating systems?Bob S. "Richard Urban"