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How to Specify Default Operating System and Its Timeout Duration in Dual Boot Environment In Windows 7?

By Codrut Nistor

Posted in How-to, Windows-7

In home environments there are times when users install two operating systems on a single computer in order to run some applications which are only compatible with legacy versions of Windows. When this is the case the operating system which is installed later becomes the default operating system and the default timeout duration that is automatically configured in these situations is 30 seconds. This means that if within 30 seconds a user fails to select any operating system to boot the default operating system will automatically be selected and the system will boot using it. This configuration however can be modified as per the requirements and the process to which is given below:

  1. Logon on the Windows 7 computer with administrator account.
  2. Click on Start button.
  3. From the start menu right click on Computer and from the menu select Properties.
  4. On View basic information about your computer page in the left bar click on Advanced system settings link.
  5. On the opened box make sure that you are on Advanced tab and under Startup and Recovery section click on Settings button.
  6. On Startup and Recovery box from Default operating system drop-down list choose the appropriate operating system to make it default.
  7. On Time to display list of operating systems text box specify the number of seconds after which the default operating system will automatically start.
  8. Once done click on Ok button to accept and confirm your configuration and close all opened windows.