You are installing Windows 2000 on a computer that already has another operating system installed. You choose to install Windows 2000 into a different folder than the existing operating system. What will Windows 2000 do in this scenario?

Introduction / Context:
It is common to install Windows 2000 on a machine that already has another operating system so that both systems can be used side by side. The way you choose installation folders affects whether you keep the old system or replace it. This question tests your understanding of what happens when you specify a different folder for Windows 2000 instead of reusing the existing Windows or system folder. Understanding this behavior is important when planning migrations that preserve existing environments.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The computer already has an operating system installed on it, such as Windows 9x or Windows NT.
You are installing Windows 2000 and choose a different folder for the new operating system files (for example, C:\WINNT instead of C:\WINDOWS).
You do not remove or overwrite the files of the previous operating system.
You want to know how the installer behaves when it detects another OS in a separate folder.
No hardware conflicts or other issues prevent installation from completing.

Concept / Approach:
When you install Windows 2000 into a different folder than an existing operating system, the installer sets up a dual boot configuration. The Windows 2000 boot loader (NTLDR) is installed, and the Boot.ini file is updated to include entries for both operating systems. Upon startup, the user can then choose which OS to boot. The installer does not delete the existing OS or abort the process simply because a different installation folder is chosen. Installing into a separate folder is a standard method of creating dual boot systems.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note that the question explicitly states Windows 2000 is installed in a different folder than the pre-existing OS. Step 2: Recall that Windows 2000 supports dual boot scenarios and uses Boot.ini to present a startup menu. Step 3: Understand that choosing a different folder tells the installer you want to keep the existing operating system rather than overwrite it. Step 4: Recognize that the correct behavior in this case is to configure the system to allow booting either into Windows 2000 or the original OS. Step 5: Conclude that the installation will result in a dual boot configuration between Windows 2000 and the previously installed operating system.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you have ever installed Windows 2000 alongside Windows 98, you will remember seeing a boot menu after installation, allowing you to choose between earlier version of Windows and Windows 2000. That real-world experience confirms that the installer does not abort, delete the old OS, or report an error simply because of a different folder choice. Instead, it supports coexistence.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Abort the installation process – Windows 2000 setup is designed to allow multiple operating systems, so it does not stop just because another OS exists in a different folder.

Delete the previously installed operating system – The installer does not automatically delete another OS; deleting would be a deliberate choice involving formatting or overwriting its folder.

Display an error message – Windows 2000 can be installed into a separate folder without error, so the installer does not report this as a problem.

Common Pitfalls:
A common misunderstanding is thinking that Windows 2000 can only coexist with an older OS if separate partitions are used. In fact, using different folders on the same partition is supported, although separate partitions are recommended for cleanliness. Another pitfall is assuming that installing a new OS will always erase the old one. For exam scenarios, remember that specifying a different folder is a key signal that a dual boot setup is intended.

Final Answer:
When you install Windows 2000 into a different folder than an existing operating system, Windows 2000 will cause the computer to dual boot between Windows 2000 and the previously installed operating system.