How do I install a second copy of Windows on the same HD?

[Too Smart]

Sorry if this has been answered, I tried searching but with no luck.

I'm currently rocking Windows XP Home on my computer. My boss gave me some software which I temporarily need to use, which will only work in XP Pro, so I need to install Pro. The problem is, I really want to keep XP Home, so I thought I would install Pro on a second partition.

My question is, what is the easiest way to install XP Pro on this computer, in such a way so that I get a menu which lets me boot into either Home or Pro, and also so that I can uninstall Pro in a few months when I no longer need it? I was thinking I should create a new partition with Partition Magic. But then, how will I tell XP to install to that new partition, doesn't it always install automatically into the first partition?

[TJ9]

Ideally you want a separate partition or harddrive to install the other OS on.
See here (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=115746) for some more on partitions. Windows will automaticaly detect the second hard drive and setup a boot menu for you.

You can likely install to the same partition by using a different folder if you cannot get a second partition but this can cause some strange errors. I would recommend not doing it this way, but it is a possibility.

Edit: Removing an OS can be a little tricky especialy if you have them both on the same partition.

[Too Smart]

So if I have more than one partition, Windows XP will automatically give me the choice to install into any of those partitions? And will there be a boot menu after the installation?

[TJ9]

Yes, Windows lets you pick any valid partition for the install.
As long as you install a later version of Windows then the current one it can detect it and create the boot menu.

Links
http://www.theeldergeek.com/dual_and_multibooting_xp.htm

[Too Smart]

I did it. In case anyone is wondering, if you create an empty partition, the Windows installation will detect it and give you the option to install in that partition. Then after installation, you will have a boot menu which lets you boot into any of your Windows installations. It did however wipe out my Linux bootloader so I had to use a Linux boot floppy to fix that.