Change default OS at boot up



By default, Windows Vista is the OS you will boot up in if you decide not to push anything at the boot-selection screen. However, this setting is changeable for those who would much rather have their earlier version of Windows become the default OS. You might be wondering why someone would want to do that? For instance, my brother is a very hardcore gamer but unfortunately, there is no driver support for my video card on Vista. Because he uses this computer more often than I do, the default OS on this particular PC is set to XP.

Now, let’s modify the default OS to start at bootup. First, go to Start Menu, right click on my computer, and choose properties.


computer_props.jpg

Then, click on Advanced Settings.

side.jpg

Choose settings under Startup and Recovery.

settings_box.jpg

And here we are. Click on the drop-down menu (highlighted in blue here) to select the default OS to be launched at startup.

Notice how you can set how long the boot-selection screen will stay up until it decides to load the default OS automatically. By default, it is set to 30 seconds, but mine are 10 secs.

os_change_dialog.jpg

Still need help? Check out our new forums where you can get an even faster and better response!

« Learn how OEM can save you up to $200 on Vista
Disable programs from running at startup »

This entry was posted on Saturday, February 10th, 2007 at 1:40 pm and is filed under Tips and Tweaks, Windows Vista. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

5 Responses to “Change default OS at boot up”

  1. AllanA Says:
    February 11th, 2007 at 12:46 am

    hey do you guys have a tutorial for how to increase the speed of my vista? I don’t have a great computer so my vista runs pretty slow.

  2. vistarw Says:
    February 11th, 2007 at 2:04 am

    We should have a guide to what you are asking for by the end of the week. Thanks for the request. One thing you can try now is to:

    1) Use the Windows Classic theme for your PC
    2) You can also adjust your Vista for best performance: My computer > properties > advanced system settings > settings (under performance) -> adjust for best performance
    3) Disable services and programs that open at startup by running msconfig

    We will have a more indepth guide if you’re not sure soon ^^
    Btw just wondering, how did you find out about the site?

  3. AllanA Says:
    February 12th, 2007 at 8:14 pm

    Through google of course! :)

  4. Get Wired Into Windows Vista With Vista Rewired | Concepts, Ideas, Thoughts & Bullshit Says:
    March 12th, 2008 at 1:40 am

    [...] Change default OS at boot up [...]

  5. JE Says:
    July 21st, 2008 at 6:20 pm

    Going back to the original question, I have a modification. I have a dual boot XP/Vista system. From Vista, I can change the DEFAULT boot. I need to change the DEFAULT boot from XP. Any thoughts?

    Before someone asks why, I will explain. This is a Home Theatre PC. Until windows gets running, my TV is incapable of displaying the boot sequence (because of the output resolution) i.e. I can’t see when it is asking me which OS to boot from. I need to change that before starting or rebooting the system.

    Any thoughts?

    je

Leave a Reply