Question on Notebooks:

I managed to set up my notebook to dual boot Windows 7 and Windows Vista, but Windows 7 requires me to reinstall every program I need.

However, I managed to use Firefox without reinstalling just by going to the hard disk where Windows Vista is.

Is there anyway I can share programs like Microsoft Office and antivirus apps in two different operating systems?

Submitted by Reader

Answer:

When you set up a system for dual boot, you essentially create two separate folders for the different installations. Hence, applications on the existing operating system will not be transferable to the new platform. However, you can still access all files on the harddisk.

The reason why you can still use Firefox on both OSes is because the executable file does not have any essential drivers or registry entries which have to be preloaded. This is not the case for most antivirus and Microsoft Office software, so you have to reinstall these programs on the new OS. However, do note that most application serial codes are only valid for a single install. Hence, though you are essentially using it on the same hardware, having a separate operating system requires you to purchase a second license.

Alternatively, there are a range of portable applications available, some of which are even free. These can be downloaded and stored on the harddisk or external USB storage and can be used without having to install on any specific OS. You can check out a list of such applications at http://portableapps.com/