Windows 11 Dev for Primary OS?

Rad25 · Apr 4, 2025

Should i use Dev Build for Primary OS? I like new features but i don't know about stability.

OAT · Apr 4, 2025

Rad25 said:
Should i use Dev Build for Primary OS? I like new features but i don't know about stability.

Hi & Welcome,
It all depends on your knowledge and your ability to tinker, along with tons of patience.
If you intend to have a fully reliable platform, ready to go when you are, you should not be using a Dev build.
BTW, kindly fill out your system specs in your profile.

cereberus · Apr 4, 2025

Well even MS recommend you do not user Insider versions as your main OS.

Why not use release version aa main (host) OS but install Insider version in a native boot dual boot virtual hard drive.

That way you can test Insider version as much as you like but still have stable OS to fall back on.

This is what I do and so do many of the seasoned Insiders.

Alternatively run the Insider version in a virtual machine.

The tutorial section shows how to do the above.

Think about it - what are you going to do if you need to something important/urgent but the Insider version falls over?

hsehestedt · Apr 4, 2025

Although rare, there have actually been data loss bugs in dev builds before. If that does not bother you, go for it!

Rad25 · Apr 4, 2025

cereberus said:
Why not use release version aa main (host) OS but install Insider version in a native boot dual boot virtual hard drive.

Any tutorial?

Installation failed using this guide:

Windows 11 – Dual Boot with virtual hard disk, without partitioning - eKiwi-Blog.de

Install Windows 11 in VHDX file, dual boot next to first Windows. Windows can be installed multiple times on a hard disk without any ...

ekiwi-blog.de

Rad25 · Apr 4, 2025

I will install Dev Build in Virtual Machine.

Rad25 · Apr 5, 2025

I need guide for VHDX Native Boot.

pseymour · Apr 6, 2025

Create Windows 11 Virtual Hard Disk (VHDX) at Boot to Native Boot

This tutorial will show you how to create a Windows 11 Virtual Hard Disk (VHDX) file at boot and natively boot it to dual boot with Windows 10 or Windows 11. Native Boot allows you to create a virtual hard disk (VHDX), install Windows to it, and then boot it up, either on your PC side-by-side...

www.elevenforum.com

Rad25 · Apr 6, 2025

It's working with Windows 10 ISO but not with Windows 11 (installation failed).

cereberus · Apr 6, 2025

You can just clone an existing installation to a virtual hard drive, then add a boot entry.

The vhdx file needs to be on a separate drive. If you only have one drive, it needs to be on a separate partition (you cannot clone to same drive/partition as existing OS).

There are many cloning tools that can be used.

Berton · Apr 6, 2025

Just to reiterate an earlier reply, when I was first in the Win10 Insider Preview some time ago it was firmly stated not to use the IP on the only machine or a production machine due to the various changes that would be forthcoming which had the possibility of breaking things. I've maintained at least 2 computers even after leaving the program, fortunately some were given me for parts but good for learning how to fix at little to no cost using salvaged parts.

Bree · Apr 6, 2025

Rad25 said:
I need guide for VHDX Native Boot.

Another one here.

Native Boot Windows 11 Virtual Hard Disk (VHDX)

This tutorial will show you how to boot a Windows 11 VHDX file natively to dual boot with Windows 10 or Windows 11. Native Boot allows you to create a virtual hard disk (VHDX), install Windows to it, and then boot it up, either on your PC side-by-side with your existing installation, or on a...

www.elevenforum.com

Just don't get too carried away (like I did) :ROFLMAO:

Rad25 · Apr 6, 2025

Install Dev Build from ISO or Windows Update?

Berton · Apr 6, 2025

Rad25 said:
Install Dev Build from ISO or Windows Update?

I use the Microsoft MCT/Media Creation Tool. It allows downloading an .iso file used to burn the bootable DVD [probably DVD-R/DL] or it will write the bootable USB thumb drive of 8GB, 16GB or 32GB.

Rad25 · Apr 6, 2025

I installed (26200.5518) Dev Build using ISO in Oracle VirtualBox and i don't have any new features like with Windows Update (Dev Channel).

cereberus · Apr 7, 2025

Rad25 said:
Install Dev Build from ISO or Windows Update?

It is fairly rare the official Dev iso matches the latest bulld.

It does not really matter if you which way you do it as it will need to update to latest version.

I just use latest release version iso, install it, join Insider and update to latest Dev build.

An alternative is to create your own dev iso using uup (see tutorials) but frankly by the time you have done this, it does not save much time over just updating as above.

Rad25 · Apr 7, 2025

cereberus said:
An alternative is to create your own dev iso using uup (see tutorials) but frankly by the time you have done this, it does not save much time over just updating as above.

I'm using UUP dump for years.

Rad25 · Apr 9, 2025

pseymour said:
Create Windows 11 Virtual Hard Disk (VHDX) at Boot to Native Boot

This tutorial will show you how to create a Windows 11 Virtual Hard Disk (VHDX) file at boot and natively boot it to dual boot with Windows 10 or Windows 11. Native Boot allows you to create a virtual hard disk (VHDX), install Windows to it, and then boot it up, either on your PC side-by-side...

www.elevenforum.com

This works only with Windows 10 ISO. With Windows 11 ISO installation failed.

jimbo45 · Apr 9, 2025

Rad25 said:
I need guide for VHDX Native Boot.

@Rad25

It worked for me with a W11 ISO. - Mount the Iso and for the installation image browse the ISO until you find a file called install.wim or install.esd -- use that -- especially if you created a bootable USB drive from the W11 install ISO. If there's no install.wim the install.esd file will work.

Note also you'll have to run this from a currently working W11 / W10 system which can be a VM. You can't run this from running a booted window install disk.

The simplest way these days is a) create a small EFI partition on your boot disk, then use Winntsetup.exe to install the windows system -- leave enough non vhdx space on the "target" disk so you won't get nags after boot "Windows created a temporary paging file on C:/" . You should find after install -- assume you have just 1 physical disk you'll see a small EFI file, your "C" drive and a "D" drive whivh will contain the spare "non vhdx" space and a .vhdx file. I'd - unless you want more Windows installations make the .vhdx file a fixed size for but others say choose dynamically expanding -- over to you for that.

If you try and install directly from the Windows install files - a problem is in getting the initial setup to recognize the virtual disk in the first place to install on and the latest boot loader has all sorts of added complexity with encryption, bit locker etc etc.

If you use this program - it's really easy and guides you through the whole process including creation of the VHD / VHDX files too, and getting the bootloader to work

I refer to my previous post on this topic :

Install to vhd(x) file - winNTsetup.exe

This software seems to be fine (even installs Windows 11 when the vhdx file is on an external drive) My only concern is that the download is a .rar file which I'm always suspicious of - but proper scanning didn't detect any "nasties" https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/winntsetup.html or...

www.elevenforum.com

Note Forget the Drive D part of that post. !!

Cheers
jimbo

Bree · Apr 9, 2025

Rad25 said:
This works only with Windows 10 ISO. With Windows 11 ISO installation failed.

The issue with Windows 11 and a .vhdx install is not the OS, it's the new version of the installer. You can install to a vhdx only if you switch to the previous version of Setup.

Bree said:
I've finally got 24H2 to successfully install to a vhdx. The trick was to switch to the previous version of Setup. So it seems more likely that there's a bug in the new Setup, not a deliberate block on using a vhdx.

Installing Windows 11 - 24H2 to a VHD or VHDX no longer works - post #25

Windows 11 Dev for Primary OS?

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Note also you'll have to run this from a currently working W11 / W10 system which can be a VM. You can't run this from running a booted window install disk.​

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Note also you'll have to run this from a currently working W11 / W10 system which can be a VM. You can't run this from running a booted window install disk.