how can i hide partitions, i gave up from win7 on where boot managers like vamos didnt work any longer. the other win on the hidden partition would always get deactivated as illegit even though it was the exact same version as the one running.
one boot manager that supposedly works is bootit bare metal, but is not free

 

Last edited: Nov 3, 2025 at 9:18 AM

Hello @panaman!

Spoiler: Source: Grok KI

Hiding Partitions in Windows 7 Dual Boot to Avoid Activation Issues
Hiding partitions is a straightforward way to prevent one Windows 7 installation from accessing (and thus potentially deactivating) the other, even if they're the exact same version. Windows activation checks can trigger if the OS detects another installation on an accessible partition, but removing the drive letter makes the partition invisible in Explorer and prevents file access—effectively isolating them without affecting booting. This is a common, built-in solution that doesn't require third-party tools initially.

Since you're on Windows 7 (unsupported since 2020, so consider upgrading for security), I'll focus on free, compatible methods. I'll cover manual hiding first, then dual-boot setup, and free boot manager options beyond what you've tried (assuming "vamos" refers to VAMBO or a similar older tool like that).

Step 1: Manually Hide the Other Partition (Do This in Each OS)
This uses Windows' built-in Disk Management or command-line tool. Repeat the process in both Windows installations: hide the partition of the other OS.

Using Disk Management (GUI - Easiest):

1. Right-click Computer (or This PC) on the desktop or Start menu > Manage > Storage > Disk Management.
2. In the lower pane, right-click the partition for the other Windows install (e.g., if you're in Win7-A, right-click Win7-B's partition—it's usually NTFS and labeled as D: or E.
3. Select Change Drive Letter and Paths.
4. Click Remove (confirm if prompted). The partition will now show as "No Media" or without a letter—it's hidden from Explorer but still exists.
5. Restart to verify: The other partition shouldn't appear in File Explorer.

Using Diskpart (Command-Line - For Scripting or Precision):

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (Start > search "cmd" > right-click > Run as admin).
2. Type diskpart and press Enter.
3. Type list volume to see all volumes (note the Volume # and Letter of the target partition).
4. Type select volume X (replace X with the number).
5. Type remove letter=Y (replace Y with the current letter, e.g., D).
6. Type exit to close Diskpart.

To unhide later (if needed): Follow the same steps but use assign letter=Z instead of remove.

Tips:

• Don't hide the System Reserved partition (usually 100-200MB, hidden by default) or your current C: drive.
• This is reversible and doesn't affect bootability.
• For automation (auto-hide on boot), create a simple batch script in each OS's Startup folder:
  text
  
  @echo off
  diskpart /s hide_script.txt
  
  
  Where hide_script.txt contains:
  text
  
  select volume X
  remove letter=Y
  exit
  
  
  Save it in the same folder, then add a shortcut to the script in C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.

This hiding alone often resolves activation nagging, as Windows can't scan the hidden install's files.

Step 2: Set Up Dual Boot Using Built-in Windows Boot Manager (Free, No Extra Tools)
Windows 7's native Boot Manager (BOOTMGR) handles dual Win7 setups well without third-party bootloaders. If yours isn't configured, use bcdedit (built-in) to add the other entry. This assumes both installs are on the same disk, with separate partitions (e.g., C: for primary, D: for secondary—but hide D: as above).

1. Boot into your primary Windows 7.
2. Open Command Prompt as Admin.
3. Identify the other partition's drive (temporarily assign a letter if hidden: use Disk Management to add one, note the path like D:\Windows).
4. Add the second OS to the boot menu:
   text
   
   bcdedit /copy {current} /d "Windows 7 Secondary"
   
   
   This creates a new GUID (copy it from the output, e.g., {12345678-...}).
5. Set the new entry's details (replace {NEW-GUID} with the copied GUID):
   text
   
   bcdedit /set {NEW-GUID} device partition=D:
   bcdedit /set {NEW-GUID} osdevice partition=D:
   bcdedit /set {NEW-GUID} path \Windows\system32\winload.exe
   bcdedit /set {NEW-GUID} systemroot \Windows
   bcdedit /displayorder {NEW-GUID} /addlast
   
   
   
6. Remove the temp drive letter (hide it again as in Step 1).
7. Restart: You'll see a boot menu. Set timeout with bcdedit /timeout 10 (10 seconds).

If boot issues arise (e.g., "disk read error"), boot from Win7 install media > Repair > Command Prompt, then run bootrec /fixmbr and bootrec /fixboot.

This keeps everything native and avoids the issues you had with older managers.

Free Boot Manager Alternatives
If the built-in doesn't cut it (e.g., for more customization or if "vamos" was something specific like VAMBO), here are free tools that support Win7 dual-boot, partition hiding, and activation isolation. They chainload the Windows Boot Manager and let you manage entries visually. (Note: "Boot Bare Metal" might refer to a paid tool like Boot-US or similar; these are free equivalents.)



Tool Key Features for Your Setup Download/Source Why It Fits
EasyBCD (NeoSmart) Visual editor for BCD entries; auto-detects dual Win7; built-in partition hiding via scripts; free for personal use. Works on Win7 despite your past issues—try v2.3. neosmart.net/EasyBCD Directly addresses dual same-version Win7; users report it fixes activation by isolating via hides.
Bootice Free portable tool; manages MBR/BOOTMGR; hides partitions on-the-fly; supports Win7 dual-boot without activation flags. Softpedia or official (search "Bootice download") Lightweight, no install; great for bare-metal booting without bloat.
Visual BCD Editor Free BCD tweaker; adds/edits dual-boot entries; integrates with diskpart for hiding. freeware site like Softpedia Simple alternative if EasyBCD felt clunky before; focuses on Win-only duals.
Grub4DOS (with scripts) Free chainloader; auto-hides non-active partitions via config; boots Win7 entries. SourceForge If you want something non-Windows-dependent; scriptable for your auto-hide needs.

Start with EasyBCD or Bootice—they're closest to what you described and have worked for many Win7 dual setups. Install/run from one OS, add the other entry, then hide as in Step 1.

Final Notes

• Activation Fix Confirmation: Hiding prevents deactivation because Microsoft’s SLMGR checks require file access to the other install’s Windows\System32\spp\tokens folder. No access = no false positives.
• Backup First: Image your disk with free Macrium Reflect before changes.
• Upgrade Path: Win7 is risky in 2025—consider migrating to Win10/11 dual-boot for better tools.
• If this doesn't resolve it (e.g., hardware-specific issue), provide more details like error messages for deeper troubleshooting.

This should get you booting cleanly without the illegit flags!

 

that one's fine, BUT:
1) you can't legally buy it even if you wanted
2) it's limited to English (which may be limiting for some users)
3) some softwares that expect regular Windows may lack certain components that will have to be installed manually

 

you can legally buy a key for it...

 

thanks for the boot tips.
one thing i should mention about the stripped down versions like xlite: it dont need to be activated and cannot retaliate. doesnt nag either.

 

I don't like the custom ISO builds, although I do like their promises, but I think you can achieve all of that by doing all of it yourself with different debloating tools. Check out also unattended scripts, they help installing windows way less painfully. If I were to install Win11 today, I'd go for an Enterprise LTSC (non-IoT) with an additional unattended script (that's an official microsoft feature, and I think they have a generator for those - but don't quote me on that) and then go over it with some debloating tools.

 

Some people here would still use windows xp and would claim they wouldn t change it until a stable version of windows 7 is released

 

Using Ghots Spectre Lite with Defender for six month now. Not a single problem so far in the audio realm. They provide you with a commnad tool supereasy to use to add/remove again all the features they stripped down.