There are occasions when you’ve to install two versions of Windows, say Windows 10 or drive C and Windows 11 on drive D. This setup is called a dual-boot configuration.
Following are some of the reasons for this arrangement.
Compatibility Testing
Developers or IT professionals might want to test software or drivers across multiple Windows versions.
Application Compatibility
Some older programs might work better on Windows 10, while others are optimized for Windows 11.
Gradual Migration
A user or organization might be transitioning from Windows 10 to 11 and want to keep both environments available during the switch.
Performance Comparison
Tech enthusiasts might want to compare performance between Windows 10 and 11 on the same hardware.
Data Isolation
Some users prefer to keep different work environments completely separate—for example, one for office use and one for personal or creative work.
The issue may occur sometimes that the user, who may not be a computer geek doesn’t know which drive have the currently active Windows’ directory. In such particular case, both C and D drive house Windows directory and you may come across the demand to determine the active Windows directory.
To determine which drive the Windows directory is active on, you can use the following methods:
Method 1: Check the System Drive Letter
- Open File Explorer
- Look for the drive that has the Windows logo on it, or check the drive properties to see which drive has the
Windowsfolder. - The drive with the
Windowsfolder is the active boot drive.
Method 2: Use the Command Prompt
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
echo %windir%
This will display the path of the Windows directory, including the drive letter.
Method 3: Check the Boot Configuration
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
bcdedit
This will display the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) settings, including the device and partition information for each operating system.
Method 4: Open System Information
- In the Windows Search bar type
msinfo or msinfo32 - Click Open Under System Information panel that just opened
- Check the value for Windows Directory from the right panel of the opened System Information Window. It will the path to the current Windows directory
Method 5: Check the Disk Management
- Open Disk Management (Press
Win + Rand typediskmgmt.msc). - Look for the disk and partition that has the
Bootflag or theActivepartition. - The drive letter associated with this partition is the active boot drive.
By using one of these methods, you should be able to determine which drive the Windows directory is active on.
If you’re interested in getting more Windows Tips, tricks and techniques, please check these links:
Three Lesser-known Tips and Tricks For Your Windows Applications
Windows Trick: Connect to Your Nearby Computing Device
Salient Windows 11 Features You Must Know
Windows Tricks: Three Under-Recognized Features of Window 10
Some Quick-Access Tricks For Windows Users
Control Your Windows Computer from Your Phone
How To Automatically Empty Recycle Bin From Windows 11
Create A Windows Recovery Drive
