A dual-boot setup enables you to install and operate two different operating systems (OS) on one computer. It provides the flexibility to experience the unique features of both. Combining Windows 10 and Linux through dual-booting is a great way to explore the advantages of each system. Windows is compatible with a wide range of software and is ideal for gaming and productivity, while Linux offers a secure, customizable, and developer-friendly environment.

This guide will explore step-by-step instructions to set up a dual-boot system safely and efficiently.

How to Dual Boot Windows 10 and Linux

Prerequisite: Check Requirements

Conclusion

How to Dual Boot Windows 10 and Linux

Dual booting enables you to select between multiple operating systems during startup. It requires you to partition your hard drive to allocate space for installing Linux. Next, prepare a bootable Linux USB and execute the installation process. A boot menu will then appear each time you turn on your computer, letting you choose which system to start.

Prerequisite: Check Requirements

Before making the system dual boot, you must have:

• Windows 10 pre-installed
• Free Disk Space (at least 20 GB is recommended for the Linux installation)
• Linux Distribution ISO File (Ubuntu, Fedora, Mint, etc.)
• A USB Drive with at least 5 GB capacity

To dual-boot Windows 10 and Linux, follow the below steps:

Step 1: Backup Your Data

Before making any changes to your computer’s disk partitions or boot settings, it is crucial to create a full backup of your important files. You have multiple options for backup, such as an external hard drive, a USB drive, or cloud storage platforms like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. It makes sure that if any issues occur at the time of installation, your data can be quickly restored without complications.

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Drive

Popular options for Linux distribution include Ubuntu (user-friendly), Fedora (cutting-edge), and Debian (stable and customizable). In our case, we choose Ubuntu 24.04 and download an ISO file from the official website:

To create a bootable USB drive, you will need software like Rufus (for Windows), Balena Etcher (cross-platform), or UNetbootin. We will use Balena Etcher, which can be downloaded from the official website.

Begin by plugging in your USB drive, then launch Etcher and choose the Ubuntu ISO file you downloaded. Following that, pick your USB drive for the target location. In the end, hit “Flash” to create the USB bootable:

Once the process finishes, safely eject the USB drive and keep it ready for installation.

Step 3: Partition Your Hard Drive

Since Linux needs its own space on the hard drive, you need to shrink the Windows partition to make room for Linux. It allocates free space on your hard disk for Linux. To manage your disks, use Disk Management. It is launched by pressing the Windows key and X at the same time, which pops up a menu. From that menu, select the Disk Management option.

Locate the primary drive (typically labeled C:), hit the right mouse button on it, and pick the Shrink Volume option:

After that, input the memory space you need to shrink. At least 20GB is recommended for Linux, but if you plan to install many applications, allocate more space and click Shrink:

Note: The unallocated space will be used for Linux, so don’t create a partition here. Linux will handle it during installation.

Step 4: Disable Secure Boot

Some modern computers have Secure Boot enabled by default, which may prevent Linux from booting.

To turn off Secure Boot, restart the machine and navigate the BIOS/UEFI configuration by typing the DEL, F12, F2, or ESC at the booting time. This key depends on your device’s model. Once in the settings, go to the Security section, pick the option of Secure Boot, and disable it. Finally, save settings and exit the BIOS:

Step 5: Boot into the Linux Installer

To initiate the boot process, restart the system. During the initial startup phase, you’ll need to interrupt the normal boot sequence by pressing the appropriate key, which is often F12, ESC, or another key specific to your computer model. It will bring up the Boot Menu.

From the displayed boot options, select your USB Memory and then confirm your choice by pressing Enter, thereby instructing the computer to boot from the USB:

Most Linux distributions offer the option to Try Ubuntu (to test it without installation) or Install Ubuntu. In our case, choose Install Ubuntu and press the Next button. Follow the on-screen instructions and move forward by selecting language, region, date and time, etc.:

Step 6: Install Linux Alongside Windows

During installation, choose Install Ubuntu alongside Windows Boot Manager when the option is available and press the Next button:

For advanced customized disk setups, select Manual installation. Locate the Unallocated Space you created earlier and format it as ext4, the standard Linux file system. If you have limited RAM, you can optionally create a swap partition (equal to or double your RAM size). In addition, you can choose the bootloader installation location (this should be the same drive) where Windows is installed (usually /dev/sda).

Now, create an account by setting a name, a computer name, a username, and a password for the Linux distribution, and press the Next button. It takes some time to complete the process:

To complete the installation, follow the instructions displayed on your screen. At the end, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is installed, and press the Restart now button:

Step 7: Reboot and Test

During restarting, your system checks if the dual-boot setup is working correctly. The GRUB menu displays the choice to pick either Windows or Linux. For example, choose Ubuntu OS and verify that it boots correctly:

Note: If Windows isn’t listed in the GRUB menu, boot into Linux and execute the command sudo update-grub in the terminal to resolve the issue. It automatically detects Windows and includes it in the boot menu. If you experience issues regarding Linux booting, verify that Secure Boot is disabled.

Once installation is complete, you can test the Linux distribution Ubuntu and enjoy its features:

That is all from the guide by dual booting of Windows 10 and Linux.

Conclusion

Creating a dual-boot setup with Windows 10 and Linux enables you to run both operating systems on one computer. Whether you’re a developer, student, or casual user, this setup lets you switch between Windows for everyday tasks and Linux for advanced customization and security. By carefully following these instructions, you can install Linux alongside Windows while keeping your data secure and intact.