Confused about dual boot win 7 & win 8

[tez49]

I have a new Windows 7 Laptop and would like to install Windows 8 alongside. Baffled about which version to buy and where to buy from.

[Murf]

If your going to dual boot then you will need a separate partition on the hard drive, unless you have 2 hard drives in it. You should not install Windows 8 on the same partition as Windows 7.

Right click on "My Computer" then to "Manage", left pane Disc Management.

This will show your drive and how much free space there is. If you have plenty then you will need software to partition the drive, without losing data, several out there free,

As to which Version, depends on your use:

Windows 8 ( basic edition)
Windows 8 Pro (comparable to Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate)
Windows 8 Enterprise ( all features of Pro, mainly for IT organization)

I would go with the BASIC edition

Where to buy, have to shop around, you do not want a upgrade DVD you want the full version if you intent to keep Windows 7.

Also is your Windows 7 the 64bit version? Then I would go with Windows 8 64 bit, if you have at least 4gb or more memory

(Right click on "My Computer" then to "Properties" will tell you which version you have.

Newegg is selling Windows 8 64 bit full version for $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832416550

[tez49]

Absolutely brilliant!!!! Thank you so very much Murf.....really appreciated.