Is It Possible to Install an Operating System on an Extended Partition?

When discussing the installation of an operating system (OS) on an extended partition, the answer is generally no. This is due to the inherent limitations of extended partitions. An extended partition, by design, is a container for logical drives and does not have the settings required to initiate the boot process. The OS necessitates a primary partition to ensure it correctly loads the startup file and proceeds to boot properly.

To install an OS, it is advisable to delete the existing extended partition and create it anew as a primary partition. This ensures compatibility with the OS installation processes, such as the necessary boot loader files and system initialization routines.

Historical Context of Extended Partitions

However, it is important to note that there have been instances where such setups were possible. In 2002, I had a unique dual-boot configuration on a computer with a DOS-compatible setup. I had Windows 98 installed on the primary partition, providing DOS compatibility for retro games. Meanwhile, Windows XP was located on an extended partition, which was both logical and extended. During the boot process, a menu would appear, allowing me to choose between Windows XP and Windows 98 in GUI or DOS mode. This flexible configuration allowed me to have the best of multiple worlds: DOS compatibility, Windows 98, and Windows XP, depending on the task at hand.

Complexities of Multiple Operating Systems

To achieve this setup, I utilized a motherboard with dual IDE and four SATA cables, enabling a configuration with a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, two IDE drives, and three SATA drives. Initially, the system was designed to accommodate multiple hard drives, but eventually, I ran out of physical drive bays. Consequently, each drive type supported different partition systems: DOS recognized most partitions, Windows XP recognized all partitions, and Linux recognized FAT, FAT32, and ext3 file systems.

Unfortunately, the only missing piece was the user interface from OS/2 Warp 3.x, which, according to personal preference, had one of the most useful interfaces of the time. Presently, the ranking of desktop environments includes Cinnamon (1st), Plasma (2nd), and GNOME (close to 3rd). It is conceivable that Microsoft might merge the Cinnamon desktop with Windows 10 or offer modular desktops at install time to create a more compelling product.

Legacy Software Compatibility

A noteworthy detail is that Microsoft developed an OS/2 compatibility add-on for Windows NT 4, which still works on Windows XP. This add-on is particularly useful when running virtual machines with XP, providing a smooth interface and seamless integration with Windows programs. If these add-ons were integrated into the main OS installation process, it could significantly improve the user experience, combining the best of both worlds.

Conclusion

While installing an OS on an extended partition is generally not recommended due to booting limitations, historical configurations like the one described demonstrate the versatility and adaptability of early computing systems. Advancements in operating systems and hardware have made these setups more feasible, though still limited in comparison to modern configurations.