Installing Xp after Vista

How to modify BCD when installing a previous version of Windows onto a computer running Windows Vista


Installing an earlier operating system like Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 on ones system after Windows Vista has been installed results in one being unable to boot into Vista.

The processes below enable one to recover the ability to boot into Windows Vista in the instance where Windows Vista was installed on the system drive and the boot system files [Boot (folder), bootmgr, Boot.BAK and BOOTSECT.BAK], have not been damaged or removed.


1. To install a previous version of Windows onto a computer running Windows Vista (Post-Beta 2)

With Windows Vista Beta 2 as well as in Windows Vista Build 5456, the only command one needs to run is:

bootsect /NT60 ALL

(Copy bootsect.exe from the boot folder of your Windows Vista DVD and paste it into your Windows XP Windows\system32 folder)

This pulls all Windows operating systems into the Windows Vista boot menu.


2. To install a previous version of Windows onto a computer running Windows Vista (Pre-Beta 2)

1. Install the previous version of Windows.

2. Log on to the older operating system and restore the latest boot manager by running the following command from the run dialogue box (fixntfs.exe will be in the \boot directory of the active partition which is usually C:\ Drive).

C:\boot\fixntfs /lh

3. Create a BCD (Boot Configuration Data) entry for the older operating system by specifying the following.

bcdedit.exe is located in the \Windows\System32 directory of the Windows Vista partition. To access bcdedit.exe from within Windows XP you need to use the Command Prompt (in run menu type cmd) and point to bcdedit.exe.

Description is the description of the new entry for the older operating system.

bcdedit /create {legacy} /d “Description”

bcdedit /set {legacy} device boot

bcdedit /set {legacy} path \ntldr

bcdedit /displayorder {legacy} /addlast

4. Restart the computer in order for the changes to take effect.


NOTE: You will need a basic understanding of the use of bcdedit.exe in order to use these commands effectively. Go to How To: Edit the Windows Vista Boot Menu Options – BCDEDIT for more information and for and easy way to make changes to the BCD use VistaBootPRO

It is not recommended that you install an earlier Windows Operating System (such as Windows XP or Windows Server 2003) AFTER installing Windows Vista as you will not be able to boot into Windows Vista thereafter, unless one follows the procedure outlined above. It should also be noted that one risks not being able to boot into either Operating System if an error occurs during the execution of these commands.