I'n re-installing everythign and have since the XP days had a dual boot when you had to make a considerable amount of OS tweaks to enhavce audio performance, but the only reason I can think of now to have a DAW seperate from general tasks/game os is CPU optimised for background processes rather than a single program.

Is it worth it for that 1 tweak alone?

 

Well, I couldn't do anything without a dual-boot, since I'm forced to use Windows due to 95% of the plugins I use being Windows and OS-X only.
Thankfully, installing Linux and configuring dual-boot through GRUB is a peace of cake.

I think every computer that is being used professionally [or you just care about what you do a lot] should stay away from Windows+Internet as far as possible. Just use Linux or OS-X for Internet and disable network card in Windows. This also gives you an option to use just about any version of Windows that you find fit for your hardware. Remember that Windows updates are generally unnecessary for a Windows without Internet.

My choice is XPx64 on the main comp and W7x64 on the laptop. Both are dual boot with Debian Linux for Internet and daily stuff. I also have full XPx86 lite with all plugins that works like a charm backed up for just in case.

So yes - it is very much worth it to have dual-boot IMO. Either Windows+Linux, Windows+OS-X, or even Windows+Windows. Optimised and disconnected from the Internet Windows gives you far less headache and you don't need an antivirus, for starters. You can also disable far more background crap in a disconnected Windows and it shows giving you very low DPC latency, especially when you disable wi-fi card and Ethernet card. It's also much harder to get crackling audio with such optimised Windows.

Windows is also still useful for games. :P Although Linux is getting there, too, with Vulkan and STEAM, but that's for another discussion...

 

If you think Linux is secure?

Here's a video you should watch.

I use windows 7 and 10 and don't use any antivirus program. Catching viruses really depends upon the user.

I mean, if a file is of 300kb, named vlc.exe in your downloads folder, then why execute it?
And autoplay? turn it off. simple.

 

DUAL BOOT should be considered a REQUIREMENT if your DAW is also your GAMING PC !

Now your anti-internet lag tweaks and HDMI gfx tweaks and virus scanners etc in the gaming side are 100% seperated from the DAW that should not even have a virus scanner.

You get 2 computers in 1 using dual boot...

Essential if you have only 1 computer and want the best DAW you can make.

 

Whenever I install a new version of windows, I like to do it clean on a new/empty drive and setup dual boot. Just in case. Press F12 and boot from different drives. Then when Im 110% comfortable and everything works like it should, Ill scrap the old installation.

 

Couldnt you just use profiles to do this? But if youre a tweakaholic (like me) then there is the fast user switching you can turn off and a few other one profile tweaks that you can use with a dual boot setup

 

I only dual boot on an old laptop. Most of the desktops I got are setup for their (usual) single uses already.

Erm, maybe? U still have 2 reboot if u wanna change from bg -> programs, anyway.

 

I quad boot Win 10, Win 7, Remix OS and Phoenix OS. It's just perfect...

 

Even though I have a dual-boot system (a laptop), I prefer to simply use two [desktop] computers; both with gigantic monitors. Since I custom-build my systems, I can configure each to meet my needs to a tee. If something goes astray, I can only blame myself. One connected to the Internet, and the other, totally off the grid.

 

I do – both OSX partitions. One is 10.11, on which I do almost everything, and the other is 10.8, on which I have installed Pro Tools 10.3.10 and the plug-ins and such that go with it, along with a "legacy" version of Bitwig, the contemporaneous Waves 9.3 (last version to run on 10.8), and a few other applications which I would probably use in conjunction with Pro Tools. That partition is only 60GB. Whenever I consider "migrating" (Macspeak for "upgrading") to a newer OS version, I have some partition somewhere with it installed over the previous version with all "my" software intact, to see which will run, and if so, how well, with the new OS version. I'm "set" with 10.11, and hate to think that I'll ever be forced to go to 10.12 or beyond – but if so, I'll probably have a "legacy" partition of 10.11 until it and the compatible software are rendered irrevocably obsolete. Oh, and I've been "meaning to" install Ubuntu Studio, but don't have drive-space for it yet.

 

Yep, always dual boot and always have. Default load up is for my regular pc, the other my dedicated music set up.
Useful for me to have the second with internet blocked and tweaked for action.

 

There may be a number of other ways to "protect" a DAW installation from your everyday use and abuse install.

These methods you mention - do they have an independent registry and device manager ?
If so then they are indeed viable options.

Personal preference - nice to intentionally start the completely seperate DAW and know its time to get down to business - and less p0rn popups since the DAW side has no internet

 

Here, Sierra, Yosemite, Win7 64, managed by Clover at boot, each on seperate HDD.

PS. I forgot, one version of Linux installed on USB pen.

 

Last edited: Jun 2, 2017

I like how people who always flame Mac User with their bs spec talk actually install Gigabytes of extra data on a 2nd partition just to "optimize" windows for handling audio (slightly better) and to not getting their machines hijacked by ransomware.

 

I loves me some MAC... been a mac owner from the Apple II in elementary school until today - as a Bay Area native had to support our local home-boy dun guud company - especially being that his sister was dating a bandmate when we were in jr. high

Even an Apple supporter till this day - I simply had to move away from Apple being my MAIN tool due to.. well... budget (I always have more than one)... I admit they are great. ESPECIALLY if you can justify them financially...

I got carried away by all the hardware and even casing "mods" available to the "pc" community decades ago... the MAC is just an eyeshot away thou... if I look past the dozen or so windows machines here - hahahaha

my current DAWs were made to remind me of macs thou... I use the All in One cases... they are amazing looking too ...
Onboard video, couple units of M.2 (1tb SSD on a stick) SATA SSD if you need more space... I cry everytime I boot these up...

cry with tears of joy and happiness... they are amazing and only about $300 USD barebones...

NOTE: There are also 100% iMac clone cases too - for those who like that look... google em up in your local area...

back to topic... ya these are EXCELLENT for dual booting too !

 

I have 2 separate SSD's one for Windows 10 and the other for macOS Sierra.

 

wao , thats hot, I wonder how loud it gets ? Do you know where to buy ?

 

Why do these discussions inevitably end up being a Mac vs PC debate? I have several Macs, but also have several custom-built PC's as well. Each OS has its own strengths and weaknesses. I embrace both.

 

Yes, I have a crazy system, too. Win 7, Win 8.1, Vista and XP, all in separate drives. I change them manually, with the cables! (Constant BIOS changes also from AHCI to IDE and vice versa!) Not to mention 2 other internal HDDs for storage (Kontakt libraries mostly). My PC looks like a modular synth. Well, I have my reasons for this craziness, it works for me, although I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Music production and games. That's it.

 

Last edited: Jun 2, 2017