Dual-boot allows a user to choose one of two operating systems to start up on the same machine, with one of the most popular choices being Windows and Linux. Wondering how to dual boot Windows and Linux? This guide will show you how to configure a dual boot on your computer and seamlessly switch between the operating systems after installation.

Note

You can avoid dual booting by downloading and installing the Ubuntu Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) from the Windows Store if all you need is an Ubuntu Command Line Interface (CLI).

Prerequisites

To get started, you will need the following items:

1. USB flash drive (or DVD)

I recommend installing Ubuntu via flash drive since they’re faster than DVDs. Creating bootable media erases everything on the flash drive. Therefore, it is important to back up your data.

2. Linux iso

Download the Ubuntu ISO image.

3. Rufus

Download a tool that converts ISO files to bootable USB drives. For this tutorial we used a tool called Rufus. Here’s how to download it securely and safely step-by-step:

Visit https://rufus.ie, the official Rufus website.

Locate the Download area by scrolling down the webpage.

Before setting dual boot

Methods differ per Linux distribution. Ubuntu Linux supports Secure Boot, thus we’re utilizing that here. Not all Linux distributions support Secure Boot.

If your Linux distribution supports Secure Boot, you may skip this step and go straight to Step 1 of dual boot configuration, installing a USB otherwise disable secure boot.

How to Disable Secure Boot

Although it may appear difficult at first, disabling Secure Boot on your computer is simple if you carefully follow these instructions. Here’s how to accomplish it:

Restart your pc.

During computer power up (usually on black screen) immediately start repeatedly pressing the key (usually F2, F10, Esc, or Del) until you see bios.

Manufacturer	BIOS Menu Key
Acer	F2
ASUS	`Del` or `F2`
Dell	F2
HP	`F10`, `Esc`
Lenovo	`F2`, Novo button
MSI	Del
Samsung	`F2` or `Esc`
Toshiba	F2

Note

Different PC manufacturers have different bios menu keys. Check the company’s website for details.

Find the option labeled Secure Boot and disable it.

You may have different UI and settings for the BIOS depending on the company.

For some users, if you have the “OS Type” option available, set it to “Other OS” under the Boot section.

Save Changes and Exit

Step 1 of dual boot setup: making a USB for Linux installation

Depending on the kind of Linux distribution you want to use, these steps may be slightly different. Again, for these steps, we’re using Ubuntu Linux as an example:

Insert a USB into the computer and run the rufus tool.

Choose your USB drive from the Device selection option.

Choose the ISO file that was downloaded from the SELECT dropdown menu.

From the Partition Scheme dropdown menu, choose MBR (for some Linux distributions, GPT might work).

Select Write in ISO Image mode and click OK.

Carefully read the pop-up to make sure you back up the data if important for you otherwise you may not be able to recover your data

Close rufus.

Step 2: Create a partition

You must first create a partition in order to effectively dual boot Linux and Windows on your PC. To do this, take these actions:

Select Disk Management from windows search.

Right click on the largest partition. Select Shrink Volume.

Alert

You can also install Linux on a separate disk instead of a Windows partition. In my case, I only have one disk.

Assign volume space to partition disk. For example, if the Linux distro needs 62.5GB (assume), you will need 62.5 x 1,024, or 64,000MB. Specify this number as the amount of space you want to be removed from the partition and select Shrink.

This will show up as “Unallocated”.

Step 3: how to install Linux for dual boot

The following are the steps to install Linux for dual boot.

Restart your computer.
Enter into the boot menu following steps
1. During computer power up (usually on black screen) immediately start repeatedly pressing the key (usually F2, F10, F12, or Del) until you see the Boot Menu.
2. Select USB drive from boot menu

Note

Different PC manufacturers have different boot menu keys. Check the company’s website for details. Also, the name of your USB drive may vary.

Now, the following are the steps you need to follow to install Ubuntu (Linux) for dual boot, with images attached.

The Ultimate Guide to Dual Boot Windows and Linux Without Losing Data

How to switch between operating systems

In most cases, you will be able to switch between Windows and Linux after restarting like this

But if you don’t have any option then follow these steps

Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Click the Search icon in the taskbar.

Type cmd, then right-click on the Command Prompt app and select Run as Administrator.

Enable the Boot Menu

Type the following command and press Enter

bcdedit /set {bootmgr} displaybootmenu yes

Verify the Operation:

If the command is entered correctly, a message will appear stating that the operation was completed successfully.

Restart Your Computer:

Reboot your system to check if the dual boot option is now visible.

FAQS

1. What is dual booting?

Dual booting lets you choose which operating system to run when a computer boots.

2. Is it possible to run Linux and Windows simultaneously without erasing my data?

Yes, if you correctly partition your hard drive or use a second disc for Linux, you can dual boot without losing any data. Before beginning, always make a backup of your data.

3. What is Secure Boot and why it requires to turn it off.

Secure Boot is an important security feature designed to prevent malicious software from loading when your PC starts up. Secure Boot may not be supported by every Linux distribution. You must turn off Secure Boot in the BIOS settings if your Linux distribution does not support it.

4. What should I do if I encounter errors during dual boot setup?

1. Make sure Secure Boot is disabled if required.
2. Verify your USB was created properly with the correct Linux ISO.
3. Back up all data and retry the installation process.

5. What precautions should I take before starting a dual boot setup?

1. Backup Data: Ensure all important data is backed up.
2. Understand Partitioning: Have a clear idea of how much disk space Linux will need.
3. Verify Compatibility: Confirm that your hardware supports both operating systems.

6. Do I need a separate disk to dual boot?

No, a separate disk is not necessary. You can partition a single disk to allocate space for Linux. However, using a separate disk can simplify the process and reduce risks.

7. What tools do I need for creating a dual boot setup?

1. USB Drive or DVD: To create bootable installation media.
2. Linux ISO File: The operating system image file (e.g., Ubuntu).
3. Rufus: A tool to create a bootable USB from the ISO file.

8. For Linux, how much disc space should I allocate?

The recommended minimum for most Linux distributions is 25GB. However, for a better experience, allocate 50–100GB, depending on your usage needs.

9. How do I manage disk partitions for dual booting?

Use Windows Disk Management to shrink an existing partition. Allocate the required space for Linux, leaving it as unallocated. During installation, Linux will format and use this space.

10. Can I undo dual booting later?

Yes, you can
1. Delete the Linux partitions via Disk Management in Windows.
2. Use a tool like EasyBCD to restore the Windows bootloader.
3. Ensure you reclaim the unallocated space to merge it back into existing partitions.

11. Are there alternatives to dual booting?

Yes, you can use a virtual machine to run Linux within Windows or install the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) for command-line Linux functionality.

Have your say!

Note

Prerequisites

1. USB flash drive (or DVD)

2. Linux iso

3. Rufus

Before setting dual boot

How to Disable Secure Boot

Note

Step 1 of dual boot setup: making a USB for Linux installation

Step 2: Create a partition

Alert

Step 3: how to install Linux for dual boot

Note

How to switch between operating systems

FAQS

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