How to Dual Boot Linux and Windows?

by Admin

Dual booting Linux and Windows is a way to install and use both OS on the same PC, allowing you to switch between them as needed. This setup can be beneficial for those who require the use of specific software or tools that are only available on one platform, or for those who wish to explore the world of Linux while still having access to Windows.

However, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and challenges involved in dual booting, such as partitioning your hard drive, managing boot loaders, and ensuring compatibility with your hardware. With proper planning and execution, though, dual booting can provide you with a versatile and powerful computing environment.

Table of Contents

Dual Boot Linux and Windows

Here we have divided the entire installation into three steps:

Prerequisites for dual boot
Installation of Windows 10 on your PC
Dual Boot Linux with your Windows

Step 1: Prerequisites to dual boot

Before you begin the process of dual booting Linux and Windows, there are a few prerequisites you should be aware of.

Firstly, make sure that your computer meets the hardware requirements for both operating systems. This includes having enough disk space, memory, and processing power to comfortably run both.

Next, you should have installation media for both operating systems, whether that be a CD/DVD or USB drive. Additionally, you’ll need to create a backup of any important data on your computer before proceeding, as the dual boot process involves partitioning your hard drive, which can result in data loss if done incorrectly.

Finally, it’s essential to have a basic understanding of partitioning, boot loaders, and file systems, as these concepts are critical to successfully setting up a dual boot configuration. You can find plenty of resources online to help you understand these concepts and guide you through the process.

Hardware Requirement

The hardware requirements for dual-booting Linux and Windows will vary depending on the specific versions of the operating systems you plan to install, as well as the software applications you intend to use.

For Windows, Microsoft provides minimum system requirements for each version of Windows, which typically include a 1GHz or faster processor, 1-2GB of RAM, and at least 16-20GB of available hard disk space. However, these are just the minimum requirements, and you may want to consider a more powerful system if you plan to use resource-intensive applications such as video editing software or high-end gaming.

For Linux, hardware requirements can vary widely depending on the specific distribution (or “distro”) you plan to install. In general, most Linux distros have lower system requirements than Windows, making them a great choice for older or lower-end hardware.

For example, Ubuntu, one of the most popular Linux distros, recommends a 2GHz dual-core processor, 4GB of RAM, and at least 25GB of available hard disk space. However, again, you should consider the specific requirements of the Linux distro you plan to use and any applications you’ll need to run.

Step 2: Create a bootable USB of Windows and do the installation

If you have already installed Windows on your system then you can skip this step. However; those who haven’t installed it yet are going to use these steps to create a bootable USB.

Obtain a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage capacity. (USB will be formatted)
Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool.
Connect the USB drive to your computer and run the Media Creation Tool.
Accept the license terms and select the option to create installation media for another PC.
Choose the language, edition, and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) of Windows 10 you want to install.
Select the USB flash drive option and choose the USB drive you connected earlier.
Click on Next and wait for the tool to create the bootable USB drive.
Once the USB drive is ready, restart your computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings to change the boot order, and set the USB drive as the first boot device.
Save the changes and exit the BIOS or UEFI settings. Your computer will now boot from the USB drive.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10 on your computer.

It’s important to note that during the installation process, you will be asked to choose the partition where you want to install Windows. If you’re planning to dual boot with Linux, you’ll need to create a separate partition for Linux beforehand. This will ensure that each operating system has its own dedicated partition and won’t interfere with each other.

You can do this partition while installing Windows too. You will create 2 local disks; one for Windows and another one for Linux.

Step 3: Create a bootable USB of Linux

Now you will need to create a bootable USB, you can follow these general steps:

Download Kali

Download Ubuntu

Download Fedora

Download Linux distribution

Choose a Linux distribution (or “distro”) that you want to install. Some popular options include Ubuntu, Fedora, and Mint.
Download the ISO file for your chosen Linux distro.
Obtain a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage capacity.

Download and install a tool for creating bootable USB drives, such as Rufus (for Windows) or Etcher (for Mac or Linux).
Connect the USB drive to your computer and run Rufus.
Select the Linux ISO file you downloaded and the USB drive you want to use, and create the bootable USB drive.
Restart your computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings to change the boot order and set the USB drive as the first boot device.
Save the changes and exit the BIOS or UEFI settings. Your computer will now boot from the USB drive.
Now you will install Linux on your system.

Step 4: Dual Boot Windows & Linux

During the installation process, choose the option to install Linux alongside Windows. This will ensure that the two operating systems can coexist on your computer without interfering with each other.

Also, when prompted, select the partition where you want to install Linux. Make sure to select the newly created disk that we created earlier.

If you have not created a separate disk for Linux then you can do the installation within the same disk as Windows.

Select the disk and complete the installation.

Restart your system. Upon restarting, you should see a boot menu that allows you to choose which operating system to boot into.

It’s important to note that the specific steps and options may vary slightly depending on the Linux distribution you choose and the tool you use to create the bootable USB drive. Additionally, be sure to back up any important data before attempting to dual boot your computer, as the process can potentially result in data loss if done incorrectly.

NOTE: if your system is directly boot to Windows or Linux without giving you any option then please check for boot options in BIOS. In the BIOS, you can change the booting sequence and boot the OS accordingly.

How to Dual Boot Linux and Windows?