VistaBootPro – Manage multiple operating systems the easy way

Windows Vista brought a big number of changes, including a new startup process. The Windows Vista boot manager is pretty different compared to the one in Windows XP, therefore managing your boot configuration is more complicated. Fortunately for us, the “PROnetworks” team developed VistaBootPRO – a tool that allows users to manage their boot configuration without getting their hands dirty with the technical stuff. Unfortunately, VistaBootPro has a fee of $9.95 for personal use.

In this article we will show you how VistaBootPRO works and how easy it is to manage your operating systems.

The installation procedure

First, go to the VistaBootPRO page and download it. Launch the setup file and, if you receive an User Account Control prompt, press the Continue button.

VistaBootPro

In the first setup window, click on Next.

VistaBootPro

Select “I accept the terms in the License Agreement” and click on Next again.

VistaBootPro

Select “Yes, remove older version” and then press Next.

VistaBootPro

Press the Install button and wait until the end of the installation process.

VistaBootPro

Select the option you prefer and press the Finish button.

The backup procedure

When you start VistaBootPro for the first time, you will be prompted to perform a backup of your BCD (Boot Configuration Data). Click on OK.

VistaBootPro

If you don’t see this prompt, just press the Backup/Restore Center button.

VistaBootPro

Here you can backup and restore you BCD settings. To create a backup click on Browse, select the folder where you want to save it, type the file name and click on Save.

The restore procedure

If you want to restore your BCD settings to a previously saved backup, go to the Backup/Restore Center, press the Open button, browse and select your backup file and then press the Restore button.

VistaBootPro

You will receive a Restore Complete pop-up and then you will see an overview of your BCD settings.

VistaBootPro

Manage your boot OS entries

In the Manage BCD OS Entries category you can modify your boot OS entries.

VistaBootPro

You can change the display order of your operating systems or delete some of the entries from the boot menu.

VistaBootPro

Also, you can rename all the entries and change the default operating system.

VistaBootPro

Other options include: changing the boot drive of an OS (simply select from the drop-down menu the drive letter you want) and the boot timeout. By default, the default OS is loaded after 30 seconds. You can easily lower the timeout by typing the desired value in seconds.
Adding a new OS in your boot screen list can be done very easily: check the Add New OS Entry, type its name, select the type and the drive where it is installed.

VistaBootPro

When you have finished making all the desired changes, press the Apply Updates and wait for a few seconds.

NOTE: if you want to use VistaBootPro in Windows XP you must have .NET Framework 2.0 installed.

Related articles:
Manage your drive letters in a dual-boot configuration
How to uninstall Windows Vista
How To Uninstall Windows Vista Using EasyBCD

21 thoughts on “VistaBootPro – Manage multiple operating systems the easy way”

  1. error messages
    Sorry I have problems with VistaBootPro, using v.3.3.0.0.

    After every step i have error messages, and after restart nothing happens.

    The error messages are:
    VistaBootPRO Error
    VistaBootPRO detected an error while attempting to run the following command: /export “c:/bcd_backup.bcd”
    [the event completed succesfully]*or something, I have a hungarian XP SP2
    Would you like to open the Events log?
    YES – NO

    and the same error after every steps, only the command part of it changes

    Please help me

    Thanks
    BxL from Hungary

  2. Pls. Help Me
    Hi,
    When I go to Manage BCD, it only displays Windows Vista. What should I do after this? I really want to get Windows Vista out of my Toshiba laptop and run the recovery CD that it came with so that I can just go back to square one and input the old Windows Xp. Pls. help me..
    Thank you

    • you first add windows xp in next option
      you can add windows xp in option and direct d drive as default drive,
      upply settings.
      it will add xp in your lsit.

      save and exit.

      repeat the same steps.
      tht will solve your problem

      reg,
      Abu thahir
      Oman
      00968 95149188


  3. Hi again,
    Here is the whole scenario of what happen to my Toshiba Satellite U200/U205, My brother was sent a newer laptop simillar to mine and he had two Window Vista Cds, one that came with the laptop, and the other one that had to be purchased separately for the upgrade license. He lent me the wrong cd, the one that came for free with his laptop, windows vista installed fine. (But I didn’t know that it would go that deep into my system) I didn’t like Vista, so I put in my original Toshiba Satellite U200/U205 recovery cd in and it doesn’t work, stating WRONG MACHINE! So I downloaded the VistaBoot Pro and tried to switch to Windows XP but I think it didn’t work because it’s still on Windows Vista. So I got my brother’s Recovery CD which is different from my but works.. Put my laptop on Windows Vista, what should I do? How do I make my laptop go back to square one. Pls. Help me..
    Thank you so much..

  4. Thanks for the inputs, but I
    Thanks for the inputs, but I have a wierd situation for which I am not able to find help anywhere. I have HP pavilion laptop with preinstalled Vista. I did the usual thing of shrinking partition C to create a room for XP. But it also has a d:drive with HP recovery file. I installed XP into E:drive(shrinked partition) and rebooted into XP.
    Now when I run vistabootpro, it would only show me Vista and HP recovery file(on D:drive) but not XP at all. How do I get out of this situation. Please help.

  5. Setting dualboot failed
    I have two different drive with two OS, Vista and XP in the same computers. I need to make them dualboot. I have tried this suggestions, but failed. I make them both master drive. What should I do?

  6. DELETE OTHER VERSIONS AND FILES FROM MY COMP?
    Hi , i have installed windows “vista home basic” with “vsta home premium” which has left the old version on my “c”drive and the new version on my “d”drive, which i believe is called (dual boot) i have deleted the older version from the “Manage BCD OS Entries folder” but it still seams to have all the files and folders in “c” drive how can i delete these files and folders just leaving my other ones on my “d” drive plz help.

  7. Unistalling Vista (Miserable *$#@ OS)
    I received my 1st laptop receiently. a Gateway 32 Bit AMD With Vista.

    Since Vista will not allow the installation of my XP Programs (Office XP, OCRs, VRPs, etc.), I really would like to uninstall VISTA!!!

    I have attempted to do a multi-boot and have even been able to partition a Drive for XP. However, when I attempt to install XP o the blue screen, I get, “XP did not find any hard dick drives installed on this computer. Set up can not continue.

    I get the same message when I hit “R” for repair.

    I would prefer to completely uninstall VISTA, but woult accept a duel boot scenerio. Help??? Thundermug

  8. thunder mug, u must go to
    thunder mug, u must go to the BIOS setting nd switch ur IDE to comapyible frm enhanced.

    I am experinecing problems with the vistaboot pro, i can only boot the Vista OS, why is that?

    When i switch to XP or earlier versions of windows, the warning says that it cannot boot to XP. Maybe someone can help me. I have followed all the procedures.

  9. Vista/Ubuntu dual boot
    I first installed XPPro on my laptop. Then Ubuntu on the second partition. GRUB worked OK and could boot either OS easily.
    Dedcided to migrate to Vista which I then installed on the NTFS partition where XP resided. Left XP on which has remained as windows.old ( I will soon delete this!!).
    Now when I boot there is no opprortunity to access Ubuntu which I know still exists on the second partition. Vista only shows its partition as local disc C: when I open the computer file.
    Have downloaded VistaBootPro but cannot get it to do the job.
    How do I get GRUB back to access either programme.

  10. Dual Boot – Existing Windows Vista + Windows XP
    I used VistaBootPro 3.3 in my ACER ASPIRE 4720Z Laptop to manage my OS. I successfully backup the BCD. My problem is when I add a new OS (windowsXP Pro SP2) the latter OS would not boot. Please see the VIEW SETTINGS below
    ===============================================
    There is currently 2 OS(s) installed on your system.
    The current boot timeout is: 30

    Default OS: WindowsXP Professional SP2

    Entry 1 ———————————————————————-
    Name: Microsoft Windows Vista
    BCD ID: {current}
    Boot Drive: C:
    Windows Drive: C:
    System Bootloader: Windowssystem32winload.exe
    Windows Directory: Windows

    Entry 2—————————————————————-
    Name: WindowsXP Professional SP2
    BCD ID: {default}
    Boot Drive: D:
    System Bootloader: ntldr
    ===========================================

    I tried to locate this NTLDR file in my HDD but I can’t find it.

    Please Help me to solve this problem.
    THANKS!!!!

  11. No dual boot option
    I installed Win Xp onto a Dell laptop that came with Vista. It boots to XP now. I installed VistaBootPro so I could boot either operating system but I don’t get the option to pick the system to boot to. Please help!

  12. evryone seems to have real good intentions …
    George
    Your job seems like a good tutorial ….( every time step by step takes place is a god send!)
    But unles you did not re visted their page ..the “VistaBootPRO” its NOT a FREE tool …
    :((

    anyhow keep up the good work!

    Marius

  13. Can’t get past the Lincense Agreement
    I’m trying to install XP, and I get as far as the License Agreement and I press F8 to accept it, and nothing happens. AT ALL. NOTHING. And when I go to vistapro’s homepage to download it, it wants $10 before it will let me. I thought it was free?? HELP!!!!! PLEASE!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

  14. How to activate os choice menu with windows xp/vista installed?
    Dear Sir,
    I have installed windows xp professional in the windows vistas laptop.xp has been installed on the laptop,but now i am not able to operate the vista as this is not visible in os choice menu.How i can get setting to take both os?

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