Restoring the Windows 7 Boot Choice After Installing Windows 8 on a Second Drive

So, installed Windows 8 yet? Maybe you’ve got a fancy MSDN subscription, or maybe you’re a TechNet chap. Or maybe you’re still running the Release Preview. How are you liking it so far? Personally, I’m quite pleased with it.

Did you install Windows 8 on a new/second drive separate from your original Windows 7 installation? Maybe you were like me, hoping to keep it as a backup, just in case. I know especially during those older releases like the Developer Preview last year I wanted some insurance, and wasn’t ready to switch fully. Even now, I have some programs I still run on Windows 7 that I haven’t moved over yet. So, I installed the RTM version of Windows 8 on a second drive.

Everything installed great and I’m loving it so far. Except I don’t get a choice during boot-up to choose my OS!

Tired of typing in your user name every time to log into Windows?

1. Run gpedit.msc
2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options
3. Disable “Interactive logon: Do not display last user name”

Needless disclaimer: Might not want to do this on a shared/public computer.