Guide to Dual-Booting Linux with Windows 11 and Windows 10 (2025)

Guide to Dual-Booting Linux with Windows 11 and Windows 10 (2025)

REVISED ON 1/2/2025: While Windows 11 (and 10) offers the convenience of installing Linux distributions via the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) or through virtual machines, there are circumstances where a complete Linux installation is essential to harness the full potential of your hardware. This allows for enhanced performance, graphical capabilities, and native software compatibility.

If you lack a separate machine for Linux, you can set up your existing computer to run both Linux and Windows through a dual-boot configuration. This guide will detail the process for dual-booting Windows 11 with Ubuntu, one of the most widely used Linux distributions, though it can easily be adapted for almost any Linux variant or setup with Windows 10.

For those whose systems utilize BitLocker, there is no need to worry. You can still create a dual-boot system; just remember to temporarily disable BitLocker encryption before you install Linux. After the installation is complete, you can re-enable it without any issues.

This instructional guide will walk you through the steps of configuring a dual-boot environment with Windows and Ubuntu, and the same principles apply should you wish to dual-boot different iterations of Windows.

Setting Up Dual-Boot with Windows 11 and Ubuntu

Establishing a dual-boot system typically involves three essential steps. First, you need to create a bootable USB drive containing your chosen Linux distribution. Following that, you’ll need to shrink the existing Windows installation to make room for the new operating system. Finally, you will install Ubuntu alongside Windows 11 (or 10) on the same machine.

To initiate, you will need the ISO file for the latest version of Ubuntu or another preferred Linux distribution. Access the download links for popular Linux distributions below:

The most straightforward way to create a bootable USB drive compatible with both BIOS and UEFI systems is by utilizing the Rufus tool, which is known for its ease of use and reliability.

Step 1: Create a Bootable Linux USB Drive

To create a bootable Linux USB drive, follow these streamlined instructions:

  1. Go to the Rufus download page.

  2. Click on the Download option to get the latest version of Rufus.

  3. Save the installer file on your computer.

  4. Double-click the Rufus-x.x.exe file to open the application.

  5. Select your USB drive from the “Device”drop-down menu.

  6. Click the Select button, and navigate to choose your downloaded Linux ISO file.

    Rufus create Linux USB

  7. In the “Partition scheme”dropdown, select the MBR option.

  8. In the “Target system,”option, select BIOS or UEFI.

  9. For “File System,”choose FAT32.

  10. You may optionally enter a name for the volume in the “Volume label”box.

  11. Keep the remaining settings at their defaults.

  12. Press the Start button to commence the process.

  13. If prompted, select the “Write in ISO image mode” option.

    Write in ISO image mode

  14. Affirm by clicking OK to confirm the operation.

  15. Click Yes if prompted to proceed with any additional steps.

  16. Finally, click OK to conclude the installation.

Upon successfully completing these steps, you’ll be ready to create your dual-boot setup with Ubuntu and Windows 11.

You might also consider using the Ventoy utility, which simplifies the bootable media creation process by letting you drag and drop the ISO file into the USB.

Step 2: Resize the Windows 11 Partition

While the Ubuntu installer offers a feature to install alongside Windows 11, this functionality can sometimes be unreliable. For a seamless installation, it’s advisable to manually shrink the Windows partition ahead of time to create space for Ubuntu. This approach also allows for the “Manual” installation option during the setup phase.

Alternatively, consider utilizing a secondary internal hard drive for Ubuntu. This configuration keeps each operating system on its own physical drive, minimizing potential data loss risks associated with modifying existing partitions.

In the absence of a pre-installed operating system, refer to these steps for executing a clean Windows 11 installation (similar steps apply for Windows 10). Once Windows is operational, follow the instructions below to facilitate a dual-boot setup.

To resize a partition on Windows 11 or 10 with Disk Management, follow these detailed steps:

  1. Open the Start menu.

  2. Search for Create and format hard disk partitions and click the top result to open the Disk Management console.

  3. Right-click the drive you wish to adjust and select Shrink Volume.

    Disk Management shrink volume

  4. Confirm the amount of space you wish to shrink (in megabytes).

    Change partition size

    Quick note: Ubuntu (and most distributions) generally requires at least 25GB of unallocated space to install effectively.

  5. Click the Shrink button.

Once you’ve performed these steps, you will have created a small partition along with unallocated space prepared for the Ubuntu installation. Of course, there are other tools and methods to adjust partition sizes on Windows 11 if needed.

Step 3: Install Ubuntu Alongside Windows 11

After resizing the Windows partition and creating the bootable Linux USB drive, it’s time to begin the installation process.

To dual-boot Windows 11 with Linux, proceed through the following steps:

  1. Restart your computer with the Linux USB bootable media inserted. Usually, accessing these settings involves pressing a function key (like F2, F8, F12), Delete, or the ESC key—confirm with your device’s manufacturer for specifics.

  2. Select the “Try or Install Ubuntu” option and hit Enter to continue.

    Grub Ubuntu Linux

  3. Choose your preferred language.

    Linux install language settings

  4. Click the Continue button.

  5. Choose your accessibility preferences as needed.

    Linux install accessibility settings

    Quick note: You can configure settings for vision, hearing, input preferences, and more.

  6. Click Next.

  7. Select your keyboard layout.

    Linux install keyboard layout

  8. Click Next.

  9. Select your network connection (e.g., “Use wired connection” ).

    Linux install network connection

  10. Proceed by clicking Next.

  11. Opt for the Install Ubuntu option.

    Linux install option

  12. Continue by clicking Next.

  13. Select the Interactive installation option.

    Linux Interactive installation

  14. Press Next once again.

  15. Choose the Default selection, and later, you can use the App Center app to add more applications. The “Extended selection” offers additional tools often beneficial for offline scenarios.

  16. Ensure the option “Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware” is checked.

    Linux setup driver installation

  17. Tick the “Download and install support for additional media formats” option.

  18. Click Next to continue.

  19. Select the “Install Ubuntu alongside Windows Boot Manager” option.

    Linux setup dual-boot option

  20. Continue by clicking Next.

  21. Create a local Linux user account.

    Linux setup create local account

    Quick note: Avoid using “root” as a username; opt for a distinct name for your computer instead.

  22. Hit Next.

  23. Adjust your timezone if necessary.

    Linux setup timezone setting

  24. Click Next.

  25. Finally, click the Install button to initiate the installation process.

    Linux dual-boot install

  26. Once completed, select the Restart now option.

Upon finishing these steps, Ubuntu will be installed on your device alongside Windows 11 (or 10).

If you haven’t restarted your computer to conclude the installation of KB5041585, you can execute the command reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecureBoot\SBAT /v OptOut /d 1 /t REG_DWORD in an elevated Command Prompt.

After applying the August 2024 update, you will need to disable Secure Boot in the UEFI/BIOS settings, boot into Ubuntu, and revoke the SBAT policy by executing sudo mokutil --set-sbat-policy delete. Subsequently, reboot into Linux to finalize the changes, then reboot once more to re-enable Secure Boot.

If you aim to experiment with this setup in VMware Workstation Pro, be mindful that Ubuntu 24.04 may face compatibility issues, including graphics and networking problems while following this guide. To alleviate graphics issues, disabling the 3D graphics feature and auto-adjust interface options may help. If networking problems arise, you might need to install the network drivers manually.

When you decide to remove Linux from your dual-boot configuration, ensure to follow the correct procedures to avoid complications.

Update as of January 2, 2025: This guide has been meticulously revised to provide accurate and up-to-date information regarding the dual-booting process.

Additional Insights

1. Can I dual-boot other Linux distributions with Windows 11?

Absolutely! This guide focuses specifically on Ubuntu, but the process can be applied to any Linux distribution, such as Linux Mint, Fedora, or Debian, by adapting the steps accordingly.

2. Will dual-booting affect my Windows installation?

As long as you follow the instructions carefully, dual-booting will not negatively affect your Windows installation. However, accidental data loss could occur if you inadvertently modify the wrong partitions, hence the importance of backups!

3. Do I need to disable Secure Boot for Linux installations?

While Linux can often work alongside Secure Boot, certain versions or configurations may require it to be disabled for a full installation. Always check the Linux distribution documentation and ensure to adjust UEFI settings as needed.

Source & Images

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