window might be your bread and butter , but you’re able to treble - boot it withLinuxif you desire to monkey , or play around with a extensive grasp of open source computer software . Whether you ’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11 , you may install a range ofdifferent Linux distribution as a secondary operating system to give you the beneficial of both worls .
Here ’s how to dual flush Windows and Linux .
Start by installing Windows
The first dance step is to install Windows , assuming you ’re bulge out from scratch . We have a full guidebook onhow to install Windows 11 , so ensure to keep that ready to hand if you need surplus contingent . For dual booting , the operation is largely the same minus one fundamental difference .
rather of allow Windows to take up all of the outer space on your hard drive , you ’ll allocate it a sectionalization . If you have multiple hard ride for dual booting , you’re able to leave Windows to take up the full distance on your hard drive . This process works for Windows 10 and Windows 11 , but we ’ll be using Windows 10 for our example .
If you do n’t have an surplus Windows PC to create facility media , you may install Windows first before installing Linux ( though you may need to fullydefrag your gruelling driveto create a partition for Linux ) .
Step 1 : With your spare PC , download the Windows Media Creation Tooland follow the steps to create installation media on one of your blank USB drives . take down : you may be asked to arrange the movement , which will withdraw all of the data .
Step 2 : Leaving your installation USB drive plugged in , turn off your PC . twist it back on and choose theF12on your keyboard speedily while the reckoner kick . This will take you to a boot carte du jour . Select your Windows USB cause and continue .
Step 4 : You need to create a sectionalisation on your knockout drive . You ’ll belike see multiple sectionalisation here unless you ’re using a make - new intemperate drive . assume you want to start from scratch , delete the partitions ( take down : this will removeallthe datum on your hard driveway , so make sureyour hard effort is backed up ) .
measure 5 : choose your difficult drive and selectNewto create a new partition . countersink how big you want the division to be and confirm . This will be the total amount of space Windows has approach to , and you ’ll postulate extra space to install Linux . We urge split the empty distance in one-half , apportion half to Windows and half to Linux .
How to Install Linux
Installing Windows first is a beneficial estimation because it make installing Linux much well-situated . If you already have Windows installed , you may still dual boot Linux , but you ’ll need tocreate a unexampled segmentation on your hard cause .
We ’ll be using Ubuntu for our example , but the operation is interchangeable for most Linux distros .
footstep 1 : Download the former reading of Ubuntuand store it somewhere you’re able to easily access . snaffle your second clean USB drive and insert it into your computer .
Step 2 : Download balenaEtcherand open up it up . Select your blank USB drive and your Ubuntu double and launch the software program to create your bootable Linux media .
Step 3 : keep your Linux USB drive plugged in , restart the computer and speedily press theF12key to enter the boot computer menu . Select your Linux USB thrust to reboot into the installing screen .
Step 4 : You will be capable to try out or install Ubuntu , so if you ’re unsure about Linux , examine out the OS first . It can run off of your USB driveway , though with decreased operation . Once you ’re settled , selectInstall Ubuntuto continue .
Select your keyboard layout and language and opt for aNormal installation . Make certain to gibe both loge under theOther optionssection on this screen .
Step 5 : Ubuntu will automatically detect if you have Windows installed . SelectInstall Ubuntu alongside Windows 10on this screen . The other option , Erase disk and install Ubuntuwill take away Windows from your microcomputer .
whole step 6 : If you started with a blank hard drive , you ’re done . end up the installation and apply the the boot fare referenced above to choose which OS to reboot into ( select the hard drive sectionalisation you want ) .
If Windows is taking up the integral drive , you ’ll see a screen that allows you to allocate disc space to Ubuntu . Choose how much space you want to apportion and go on . Wehighlyrecommend make a partitioning through Windows first , however , to avoid incidentally blue-pencil data .
Most Linux distros will launch into a boot menu that allow for you to select between Linux and Windows , but you may need to use the boot card to choose which OS you want to load up into .
How to dual boot Windows and Linux FAQ
Does dual boot slow down a PC?
No . Dual booting does restrict that quantity of storage blank space you have access to within each operating scheme , since you ’ll need to give drive outer space to not only the operating systems themselves , but their several services , drivers , and lotion . However , when you ’re using either of the operating systems , you are not using the other one , so they do n’t slow down your microcomputer at all .
How do I share files between Windows and Linux on a dual boot?
The same way you would share Indian file between two different computers endure Windows and Linux . you could use aflash drive or outside heavy driveto manually channelise files between the two installations – the only departure is you do n’t have to unplug the campaign . You coulduse a cloud computer storage providerfor the same intent , or place up a shared leaflet on a partitioning both operating system can access .
Depending on the files you ’re transfer , there can be compatible issues , however , so consider the best way to transfer the data for your needs .
