Windows Forum
is it possible on a dual boot system for one to use installed programs on win2k in winXP?
I want to save myself a double installation.
Thank you
by thechas
It depends on the software.
Many programs require specific DLL files and registry keys in order to run.
If either Operating System installation does not have the correct DLL files in the default Windows path, the program may not be able to find the file and run.
To avoid a re-installation, you would need to identify the required DLL files and copy them over to the proper folder for the second OS.
Then, you would also need to identify and export the registry keys, then import them intothe new registry.
To compound things further, many programs install differently for different versions of Windows.
They may need an additional older version of a DLL to function properly. This DLL might be stored in the programs home folder.
That is at least part of why 'best practice' for a multi-boot system is a separate partition for each operating system and clean installations of all software.
I recommend creating at least 1 additional logical drive to be used for data file storage.
That way, data files can be easily accessed from either Windows session.
Chas
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