Windows 8.1 Boot Options Menu

JustDave

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Hello,
I partitioned my hard drive and installed a second copy of my Windows 8.1

I like to experiment with registry settings, tweaks, etc so I use the second installation as a guiney pig, leaving my primary copy untouched.

My question is how to I get the second copy listed on the graphical Boot Options Menu? Right now, I have to press [ESC] on reboot to select it in BIOS settings.

Thanks
JustDave
 

Attachments

  • drives.jpg
    drives.jpg
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
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    Asus A55V
    CPU
    Intel

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
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    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
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    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    PC/Desktop
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    Home made
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    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
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    16GB Kingston 3600
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I suspect that your hard disk partition layout is incorrect.
- Why there is two Recovery Partitions on one hard disk?
- Why there is two EFI System Partitions on one hard disk?

Here is correct hard disk partition layout, if you have two Windows 8 installation on one hard disk.

Windows 8.1 Disk Management.png

Choose an operating system Windows 8.1.png

If there is no screen asks you to choose an operating system, then use bootrec /rebuildbcd command.

How do you use bootrec /rebuildbcd command?

The bootrec /rebuildbcd command will search for Windows installations not included in the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) and then ask you if you'd like to add one or more to it.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
Thank you ganet,

So, are you saying that if I delete the partitions indicated on this attachment I would have a more correct setup and perhaps my alternate Windows installation might then be listed on my Boot Options Menu?

JustDave
 

Attachments

  • Image1.jpg
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    214.2 KB · Views: 160

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus A55V
    CPU
    Intel
So, are you saying that if I delete the partitions indicated on this attachment I would have a more correct setup and perhaps my alternate Windows installation might then be listed on my Boot Options Menu?

Yes.

Here is a picture when I install second Windows 8.1 on same hard disk.

Dual Boot Windows 8 .png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
Thanks, with your help, I now have both 8.1's listed on my Boot Options Menu
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus A55V
    CPU
    Intel
OK, that's good to hear.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
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