Installing Linux and Windows on new PC

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sdav

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#284125 1-Apr-2021 13:02

Hey guys,

I’m after a little advice regarding the set up of a new laptop. I intend to use Linux as my primary OS but would like windows 10 installed too. I’m not really keen on using virtual machines so would like the OSs installed.

My intent is that I would like my Linux distro to boot as standard but when I want to play in windows have the option of easily booting to that.

Any ideas or thoughts on the best way of doing this (considering partioning and all that jazz)?

Thanks all.

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#2685316 1-Apr-2021 13:14

2 hard drives.
Install windows 1st then install Linux on the 2nd. most popular distros have a boot selector option so when you restart it asks which os you want to load.

Windows can see the 2nd drive but not access the files. So it might be handy to have a Nas or a 3rd drive to keep it simple.

Bananabob

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#2685323 1-Apr-2021 13:47

Funny you should ask this because I just did it. I used this as a guide

https://www.tecmint.com/install-linux-mint-alongside-windows-dual-boot-uefi-mode/

Linux Mint is a good choice for users new to Linux and transitioning from Windows

I shrank the Windows C: drive down and used the resulting free space. I set swap at machines memory size 8GB and root at 30GB and the rest was for home.

Hope this helps.

openmedia

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#2685338 1-Apr-2021 13:54

You just need to watch out for Windows hijacking UEFI on modern PCs. Ideally you want UEFI to point to Grub2 for Linux and it will have the option to select Linux or Windows.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

Bananabob

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#2685340 1-Apr-2021 13:57

openmedia:

You just need to watch out for Windows hijacking UEFI on modern PCs. Ideally you want UEFI to point to Grub2 for Linux and it will have the option to select Linux or Windows.

This wasn't a problem when following the instructions in my post

SpartanVXL

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#2685342 1-Apr-2021 14:25

Bananabob:
openmedia:

You just need to watch out for Windows hijacking UEFI on modern PCs. Ideally you want UEFI to point to Grub2 for Linux and it will have the option to select Linux or Windows.

This wasn't a problem when following the instructions in my post

I believe it’s an issue every half year or so when windows does a full-feature update which re-installs itself to the next version. Unless they resolved it sometime recently, it would take priority.

Bananabob

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#2685371 1-Apr-2021 15:06

SpartanVXL:

I believe it’s an issue every half year or so when windows does a full-feature update which re-installs itself to the next version. Unless they resolved it sometime recently, it would take priority.

My answer to this problem is although the Windows system is there - Don't use it. I only kept to so as not to void warranty.

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sdav

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#2685447 1-Apr-2021 18:04

Thank you for all the replies, very helpful!

sdav

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#2685448 1-Apr-2021 18:05

Bananabob:

Funny you should ask this because I just did it. I used this as a guide

https://www.tecmint.com/install-linux-mint-alongside-windows-dual-boot-uefi-mode/

Linux Mint is a good choice for users new to Linux and transitioning from Windows

I shrank the Windows C: drive down and used the resulting free space. I set swap at machines memory size 8GB and root at 30GB and the rest was for home.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for this link. How much space did you give Windows when you shrunk it down?

sdav

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Ultimate Geek
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#2685449 1-Apr-2021 18:08

SpartanVXL:
Bananabob:

I believe it’s an issue every half year or so when windows does a full-feature update which re-installs itself to the next version. Unless they resolved it sometime recently, it would take priority.

Is this just a matter of resetting the boot order or does it overwrite the linux OS in other ways too?

Handle9

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#2685450 1-Apr-2021 18:08

Bananabob:
SpartanVXL:

I believe it’s an issue every half year or so when windows does a full-feature update which re-installs itself to the next version. Unless they resolved it sometime recently, it would take priority.

My answer to this problem is although the Windows system is there - Don't use it. I only kept to so as not to void warranty.

How would removing windows void the warranty?

sdav

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#2685452 1-Apr-2021 18:14

shrub: 2 hard drives.
Install windows 1st then install Linux on the 2nd. most popular distros have a boot selector option so when you restart it asks which os you want to load.

Windows can see the 2nd drive but not access the files. So it might be handy to have a Nas or a 3rd drive to keep it simple.

Damn, only one HDD. I guess I'll just have to partition the main drive and install that way. Anyway to set it so it auto boots to Linix but when I want to boot Windows, hold down a key or something like that?

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Bananabob

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#2685510 1-Apr-2021 19:33

sdav:

Thanks for this link. How much space did you give Windows when you shrunk it down?

The Disk Management software in Windows gives you the amount it can shrink the drive to. I can't remember what it was, but not much because I won't be using it.

Bananabob

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#2685511 1-Apr-2021 19:35

sdav:

Is this just a matter of resetting the boot order or does it overwrite the linux OS in other ways too?

I presume it just changes to UEFI boot order, which can be changed with software in Linux. Once again can't remember what it is called but the guys on the Linux Mint Forums would know, they are very friendly and helpful.

Bananabob

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#2685512 1-Apr-2021 19:36

Handle9:

How would removing windows void the warranty?

Just in case - you never know with some of the manufacturers out there.

Bananabob

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#2685513 1-Apr-2021 19:39

sdav:

shrub: 2 hard drives.
Install windows 1st then install Linux on the 2nd. most popular distros have a boot selector option so when you restart it asks which os you want to load.

Windows can see the 2nd drive but not access the files. So it might be handy to have a Nas or a 3rd drive to keep it simple.

Damn, only one HDD. I guess I'll just have to partition the main drive and install that way. Anyway to set it so it auto boots to Linix but when I want to boot Windows, hold down a key or something like that?

When you install Linux (Mint) it installs a program called GRUB. When you power up the machine GRUB will display a list of OS available. After a Linux install the first on the list will be the Linux OS, then further down in the list will be Windows.

You are given about 15 secs to change to the OS you want, and press ENTER, or you can just let it automatically select the first on the list - Linux.

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