How to Dual Boot Windows 10 and 11 on Separate Hard Drives

There are some people who like to try the latest brand new Windows 11 system, but they still don't want to totally give up the old Windows 10. Maybe they want to go back and use the old system the day they find the new one is not so good; maybe they still need the old system to do their work or play their games with the particular software that does not support the new Windows 11 yet.

If you're a member of them, you should be aware that you can have them both. You can dual-boot Windows 11 & Windows 10 on the same PC or laptop on separate hard drives.

Only 3 steps are required. Here is how.

Utilities

- Windows 11 ISO file.

For more details about how to download this file, see this.

- Rufus 3.17.

Download: https://github.com/pbatard/rufus/releases/download/v3.17/rufus-3.17.exe

- Thumb drive with 8 GB space or more.

1. Shrink to Create New Simple Volume

Step 1: Right-click This PC and choose Manage.

Step 2: Open Disk Management on the left panel, and right-click a drive to select Shrink Volume.

Step 3: Enter 102400 and tap Shrink, then 100 GB Unallocated appears.

Step 4: Right-click it and click New Simple Volume.

Step 5: Just click Next without any modification to Finish the wizard.

Step 6: Right-click Disk icon > Properties > Volumes, and you will see its Partition style (MBR or GPT).

2. Create Boot Device

Step 1: Insert your thumb drive and open Rufus.

Step 2: Choose your USB as Device and SELECT the Windows 11 ISO file just downloaded.

Step 3: Select Extended Windows 11 Installation (no TPM / no Secure Boot).

Step 4: Click the Partition Style you just checked and click START.

Step 5: Select OK when prompted.

Step 6: Wait for several minutes to get ready.

3. Mount Windows 11.

Step 1: Reboot your computer and set USB drive as boot device.

Step 2: Click Next to continue until you see the image in Step 3.

Step 3: Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).

Step 4: Click the drive with 100 GB storage and click Next.

Step 5: Wait for Installing Windows.

Step 6: Now, you have a Windows 10 & Windows 11 dual-booting. Select Windows 11 or Windows 10 and click Enter to access one!