How to create a multiple-boot system with Windows NT 4.0 and Windows XP

Using a multiple-boot system with both Windows NT 4.0 and Windows XP is not recommended as a long-term solution. The NTFS update in Service Pack 4 for Windows NT 4.0 is provided only to help you evaluate and upgrade to Windows XP.

After ensuring that your hard drive is formatted with the correct file system, install Windows NT 4.0, and then install Windows XP.

Important

Before creating a multiple-boot configuration with Windows XP and another operating system, such as MS-DOS, Windows 95, or Windows 98, review the following precautions:

• Each operating system must be installed on a separate volume. Microsoft does not support installing multiple operating systems on the same volume.
• If you have only one volume on your computer, you must reformat and repartition your hard drive to contain multiple volumes before you begin creating a multiple-boot configuration, unless you are simply installing another copy of Windows XP.
• If you intend to install more than one operating system consisting of some combination of Windows NT 4.0 with either Windows 2000 or Windows XP as the only installed operating systems, you must ensure that you have installed Service Pack 4 for Windows NT 4.0. Windows XP will automatically upgrade any NTFS partitions it finds on your system to the version of NTFS used in Windows 2000 and Windows XP. However, Windows NT 4.0 requires Service Pack 4 to be able to read and write files on a volume formatted with the version of NTFS used in Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
• Do not install Windows XP on a compressed drive that was not compressed using the NTFS compression utility.
• You must use a different computer name for each operating system if the computer is on a Windows 2000 or Windows XP secure domain.