Q&A for How to Install Two Operating Systems on One Computer

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  • Question
    How do I run two operating systems on Windows 10?
    Luigi Oppido
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Make sure you have 10 total partitions. Windows 10 needs 5 partitions to run a single operating system—therefore, you'll need 10 partitions to run 2 operating systems on your hard drive.
  • Question
    How can I use two operating systems at once?
    Luigi Oppido
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Make sure you're mapping out your partitions correctly. In some cases, people will set up partitions and install their first operating system, but then realize that there's not enough space for a second one.
  • Question
    Why would I need two operating systems?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You may need two operating systems for reasons of compatibility, features, recovering your computer in case of errors and file corruptions, and running programs for different systems. For example, your computer may run Windows 7 x64 and Windows XP Professional (x32) -- one for modern programs and one for older DOS/Windows programs. Having two operating systems can also help if one of the operating systems fail -- you can boot into the functioning operating system(s) and try to diagnose the problem.
  • Question
    How do I expand my computer's internal memory?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you mean Random Access Memory (RAM), you have to purchase a piece of hardware called a RAM stick, either online or at a computer retailer. If you mean storage, which is what programs are downloaded onto, purchase either an HDD drive (hard drive) or as SSD (solid state drive) -- the SSD is typically the faster of the two. Do not download RAM -- it's not software. I have seen lots of people get viruses from trying to increase their RAM by downloading from malicious websites.
  • Question
    How can I do this with Windows 10?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You will follow basically the same steps. Tor example, if Windows 10 is installed in drive C and you want to install Windows 8 also, just insert the Windows 8 CD in the CD drive and select a drive other than C. After the installation is completed, restart your PC and this time you will get to choose between Windows 10 or 8.
  • Question
    Is it possible to run the Mac OS and Windows 10 OS on a laptop?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Apple only distributes Mac OS on their Mac computers, and it is illegal to install Mac OS an a computer that isn't a Mac. However, it is possible to install Mac OS on a Windows-based PC by making a Hackintosh (Hack + Macintosh). There are many programs and online tutorials about Hackintoshing. The only problem (other than the face that it is illegal) is that in order to make a Hackintosh, you have to be careful to use a machine that is compatible with Mac OS; otherwise, it won't work. It also requires a lot of time and patience.
  • Question
    Can I install five operating systems on one PC? If so, how?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Basically follow each of these steps for each operating system. Make sure you have plenty of space -- I would suggest no less than 100GB per system.
  • Question
    Is it possible to run the Ubuntu OS and Windows 10 OS on a laptop?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, if you have two hard disks.
  • Question
    Can I use both Windows 7 and Windows 10 on a laptop?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, assuming your laptop is capable of holding two hard disks.
  • Question
    Is it possible to use Windows and Linux on the same PC?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes. When installing Linux, select "Install Linux Alongside Windows." You can then select which one you want to boot to via GRUB.
  • Question
    Can two operating systems be installed on one local disk?
    Don German
    Don German
    Community Answer
    Yes, Just make separate partitions. Basically, split the drive in half if it's 1 Terabyte.
  • Question
    Will installing another OS on the same PC affect my PC's overall performance?
    Thomas McKee
    Thomas McKee
    Community Answer
    It largely depends on your processor and the RAM that you have. After you have installed your new OS and feel a performance issue, a program called Winaero Tweaker (at winaero.com) should solve any issues that you may have. Also, consider the amount of disk space that both OS's will take on your drive. If your existing OS takes up 20 gigs and the new one 10 gigs on a 100 gig drive, no worries. For a 50 gig drive, I would be concerned.
  • Question
    How do I uninstall an operating system when multiple ones are installed?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Choose the partition the operating system is on. Then format; be sure to choose the right partition and back up any files you want to save because all programs and files on that partition will be erased.
  • Question
    Is it possible to install two operating systems on a single PC?
    Karan Banga
    Karan Banga
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can install multiple operating systems in one PC, but you can only use one out of the two systems installed. See the article for more help.
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