In this tutorial, I have pre-assumed that you already have Windows XP installed on your system. If not, then please follow a Windows XP setup tutorial to install it on your machine.

Please follow the steps below very closely, as missing any of the steps might result in an improper installation of the operating system.

Step 1: Requirement

1. A computer – with atleast 1 Gb RAM and a processor equivalent or higher than the Intel Core Duo series. Note that you might be able to run Windows 7 on a processor of lower processing power, but you might come across performance issues.
2. A Windows 7 Disk – buy one for as less as $150 from amazon, or elsewhere if you’re getting it for less
3. DVD Rom

Step 2: Partitioning the Hard Drive

You can skip this step if you already have a partition on your hard drive, and that’s where we would be installing Windows 7. Please make sure that the partition size is atleast 15 Gb; that what I recommend for a smooth running Windows 7.

1. Click open My Computer, and note the number of hard drive partitions you have. Say there are 2 partitions, one of which has Windows XP installed and the other one has data. If the one having data is 15Gb or more, then we would have to free the 2nd partition to install Windows 7 on it. Move all of the data from the 2nd partition to a folder inside the first partition.
2. If you have a single partition on your hard drive, then we would need to create another partition to setup Windows 7 on it.
3. Download the personal edition of EASEUS Partition Manager to partition the hard drive.
4. Run through the setup to install this software. Now partition your hard drive to make 2 partitions. Take note that the new partition you create must be atleast 15 Gb (15360Mb) in size. It’s not just the Windows installation, the programs you would install after having Windows 7 will take space as well
5. Now that you have 2 partitions set up, we are all set to install Windows 7 in dual boot

Step 3: Installation

1. If you wish to dual boot on your laptop, then plug out the external monitor, external mouse and external keyboard if any. Else if you are dual booting on your desktop, you can continue to the next step.
2. Open the DVD Rom tray and insert the Windows 7 installation disk
3. Wait for the disk to auto-boot. If it doesn’t, then go to My Computer and double click on the installation Disk



4. A window comes up. If you have too old a PC (say a Pentium 4 with 512 Mb of RAM, you might want to click “Check compatibility online”), and then re-do step 2. Else, if your PC fulfills the requirements mentioned in step 1, click on Install Now.
5. You will now see a beautiful blue screen which says Setup is copying temporary files…
6. A window will now show up asking you for selection on updates to installation. Click on “Do not get the latest updates or installation” for time being.



7. Now on the next screen, very carefully click on the 2nd option which reads Custom(advanced).



8. Select the hard drive partition you would want to install Windows 7 on. Do not click on the partition which has Windows XP installed. If you are unsure as to which of the listed partitions has Windows XP installed, then minimize this screen (by pressing Atl+Tab), and go to ‘My Computer’. Right click on the drive that has Windows Xp installed and click on “Properties”. Note down the size of this hard drive partition, and name it’s partition to “Windows XP”
9. Go back to the Windows 7 installation windows and click on the “Refresh” button. Now select the partition which does not have the same size and name as that of your Windows Xp partition.
10. Click Next. You might be prompted to format the partition, do so in NTFS format and click Next.
11. You will be prompted to enter the serial/key. Enter the same and cick next to start the installation process.
12. The system will restart a few times during the installation process. This is normal.
13. Whenever the system restarts, a message Press any key if you want to boot from the CD/DVD… will appear during the boot. Never, press any key and let the system continue on its own. This happens when your DVD drive is set to a boot order higher than that of your hard drive.
14. The installation process will prompt you to select “Time Zone”, “Language” and would ask you to create a login “Account”. Do so whenever prompted.
15. Upon completion, you will be asked to connect to the network (via WiFi or LAN). This is an option step. You might skip it for time being.
16. That’s it! you now have successfully dual booted Windows XP and Windows 7!

Step 4: Activation and Update

1. Activate Windows
2. Update Windows to get the latest service pack and other security fixes and patches
3. Install an anti-virus (I’d recommend Avast)

If you have any questions, post them on twitter @99bitscom