Detecting Windows OSes on other partitions

Question

Hello,

What is the good way to check if the current computer is configured for dual/multi boot.

If my active Windows OS is on D drive, I would like to check if there is any other Windows installed on other drives C:, E:, F: etc

Basically I want paths to Program Files and Windows folders for each OS installed.

Thanks.

Answer 1

I believe you will find this information in a file called boot.ini which is located in the root of the active partition.

The file won't contain drive letters but partition numbers and disk numbers.

Windows Vista has the BCD which is a file in the same format as the windows registry.

The Program Files folder location can be found inside the windows registry.

Answer 2

Check these pages in Wikipedia:

• Windows Vista startup process (applies to Windows Server 2008 as well)
• Windows NT startup process (applies to Windows 2000, XP and Server 2003 as well)