How To Dual Boot Linux and Windows on any PC

Embarking on a journey into the realm of Linux can feel daunting, especially with the myriad of terminal commands, desktop environments, and applications awaiting exploration. Fortunately, the process of installing Linux has evolved significantly since the days of text-based installers from the late 1990s. The transition to graphical installers in the early 2000s, exemplified by distributions like Ubuntu and OpenSUSE, marked a pivotal moment. Today, the graphical installers available have become even more user-friendly, simplifying the installation of the latest Linux distributions.

The initial steps into the Linux ecosystem can be approached in two primary ways: utilizing a single-board computer such as the Raspberry Pi or opting for a dual-boot setup. In a dual-boot configuration, both Windows and Linux reside on the same machine, often sharing the same boot drive. This setup is facilitated by a custom boot menu known as GRUB, allowing users to select their preferred operating system at startup.

Before diving into the installation process, it is prudent to back up your drive. Accidental overwrites can occur, and having a backup ensures that your data remains safe.

Creating a Linux Install USB

The Linux distribution is typically downloaded as an ISO image, a format originally designed for CD/DVD-sized files. To utilize this ISO with a UEFI/Secure Boot system, Rufus, a popular free utility, can be employed to write ISO files onto USB flash drives. For this task, a USB drive with a minimum capacity of 8GB is recommended.

For this project you will need

1. Download and install Rufus for your operating system.
2. Insert a USB drive into your machine and open Rufus.
3. Select your USB drive using Device, then click SELECT to choose the Linux OS you wish to install, such as Ubuntu.
4. Select the GPT partition scheme and click START to write the OS to the USB drive. GPT is the latest partition scheme necessary for installing Ubuntu on a UEFI system.
5. When prompted, select “Write in ISO image mode” and click OK.
6. Read and understand the prompts to ensure that the Linux OS will be written to the correct drive. Mistakes here can be irreversible.
7. Click CLOSE to exit Rufus and safely remove the USB drive from your machine.

How to Install Linux for Dual Boot

The Linux installer has undergone a remarkable transformation, shedding the intimidating interfaces of yesteryears for more inviting and user-friendly designs. Using the Ubuntu 22.04.1 installer, we will partition a 256GB NVMe drive to allocate space for both Windows and Ubuntu, ensuring a smooth dual-boot experience.

1. Insert the USB drive into your computer and boot from it. Depending on your computer, you may need to use a function key to select the boot device or access the BIOS.
2. From the GRUB menu, select “Try or Install Ubuntu” and press Enter.
3. When prompted, click Try Ubuntu to load the OS into RAM as a “Live Distro.” This allows you to test the operating system without making any changes to your existing setup.
4. Test your hardware to ensure that audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other essential components are functioning correctly.
5. Double-click on the Install icon to launch the installer application.
6. Select your language and click Continue.
7. Configure your accessibility requirements and click Next.
8. Select your preferred keyboard layout and click Continue.
9. Choose how you connect to the Internet and click Next. Internet access may be required for downloading software updates during installation.
10. Select an Interactive Installation and click Next. This option prompts for user input as the installation progresses.
11. Select either Default or Extended and click Next. The Default option installs basic applications, while Extended includes additional software.
12. Tick the boxes to choose whether you require proprietary software and click Next.
13. Select “Install Ubuntu alongside Windows Boot Manager” and click Next. Other options may lead to data loss or require manual configuration.
14. Ensure the correct drive is selected and adjust the slider to allocate space for each OS.
15. Select No Encryption for a standard installation or choose to encrypt your disk, then click Next.
16. Create a new user and assign a hostname for your machine, then click Next.
17. Set your location and click Continue.
18. Review your choices and click Install to begin the installation process.

The installation will take a few minutes to complete. Once finished, click on Restart Now to reboot your computer. Remove the USB drive when prompted and press Enter.

First Linux Dual Boot

The first boot of a Linux dual-boot system requires some adjustments in the BIOS. This step is crucial to ensure that the system boots from the Linux installation, activating the GRUB menu for OS selection. Each BIOS interface varies, so it’s advisable to consult your motherboard manual for specific instructions.

1. Open your BIOS menu.
2. Select the Boot menu.
3. Select UEFI NVMe Drive BBS Priorities.
4. Set Boot Option 1 to be the Linux install.
5. Check that the change has been made, then save and exit the BIOS.
6. The system will now boot to GRUB; choose your Linux OS and press Enter. If left idle, GRUB will automatically select the default option, typically Linux.
7. Boot to the Linux desktop and verify that everything is functioning as expected.
8. Reboot to GRUB and select Windows to ensure that both operating systems are operational.