I seem to be having a good run on here lately, but don't worry, hopefully I'll stop posting once I get this thing sorted ;) Anyway - a new question. It's been a long time since I've had different operating systems on different hard disks in a dual boot configuration. In fact, the last time was Windows 3.x/Windows 95. My question is, is it feasible to "share" applications between the two operating systems that I will have installed (Vista Ultimate and XP Pro x64) - I don't mean this as in I if I install one application in say, Vista, that I expect it to suddenly work in XP x64 too. My point is that, to save disk space, can I install, for example, Microsoft Office in c:\program files\Microsoft office from Vista, and then, in XP, install it to the same location? This would save a lot of disk space because it stops the need to install the applications seperatley on the different hard disks. Is this do-able? Or just likely to cause lots of problems? Cheers, Alex

it should not work. you will need 2 installs in different folders. During installation ms office copies files under both program files and windows folder. it also registers the program specifications (extensions, modules etc) in windows registry and i suppose stores the information under program files folder. so if you install in XP and try to instal it again in Vista in the same folder, it will most pobably replace the files and when you switch to XP it won't work you can always try running office from the 2nd OS without installing it again. put the shortcuts to MS office program in a folder and try running them. maybe it will work like this since all files will be on the hard disks.

it should not work. you will need 2 installs in different folders When XP Pro first came out, I ran a dual boot with it and 2000 Pro. Instead of installing the same software twice into two separate folders....I just installed it twice into the same folder (one install per OS). It worked perfectly and prevented me having to double up on the amount of HDD space used for applications. This may not work with all applications, and may not work with vista at all, but you never know until you try. If it were me, I'd try it. I'd install the OS's then install one program in one OS, and again in the other, sending both to the same folder. Then I would test in both OS's and see if there were any problems. If none arise, try another app....

Thanks for the advice, people! I'll give it a try some time and see how it goes. Cheers

"When XP Pro first came out, I ran a dual boot with it and 2000 Pro. Instead of installing the same software twice into two separate folders....I just installed it twice into the same folder (one install per OS). It worked perfectly and prevented me having to double up on the amount of HDD space used for applications." Considering HDD space or a lack thereof is not so much a problem these days & the fact that with those softwares you still had to go through the "installed it twice" rigamarole, & accept the high likelihood of this not working in 100% of the cases. The OP might as well just do this the proper & arguable less problematic way. IMHO, if you can prevent a problem, why chose to deal with it, even when you may have the wherewithal to. How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

some programs should work (like in 'portable' or 'stand alone') while others do indeed to be installed separately for each OS in some cases the remedy could be making missing files available for the other OS. Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.'

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