Step-by-Step Guide to Dual-Booting Windows 10 or 11 with Linux Mint

Step-by-Step Guide to Dual-Booting Windows 10 or 11 with Linux Mint

If your computer runs Windows 11 (or Windows 10), you have an exciting opportunity to set up a dual-boot configuration with Linux Mint. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to achieve this.

While you can experiment with Linux Mint via the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) or virtual machines, installing this distribution side by side with Windows allows full access to the hardware capabilities, enhancing your experience. Additionally, if you’re still using Windows 10, it’s wise to consider dual-booting, as support will end on October 14, 2025.

This guide will provide detailed instructions for creating a dual-boot configuration using Windows and Linux Mint.

Set Up Dual-Boot with Linux Mint and Windows 11

Creating a dual-boot setup involves three primary steps:

The most efficient way to craft a bootable USB drive compatible with both BIOS and UEFI systems is through the using the Rufus tool. Rufus is celebrated for its ease of use and reliability.

Creating a Bootable Linux Mint USB Drive

Follow these precise steps to prepare your bootable USB:

  1. Visit the Linux Mint download page.

  2. Click the Download button for the Cinnamon Edition.

    Linux Mint Cinnamon Edition download

  3. Choose a download mirror close to your location.

    Linux Mint ISO download mirror

  4. Save the ISO file on your PC.

  5. Go to the Rufus website.

  6. Download the latest version from the site.

  7. Select your USB flash drive in the “Device” dropdown.

  8. Open the Rufus application by double-clicking the executable.

  9. Click the Select button.

    Rufus select Linux Mint ISO

  10. Locate and select the downloaded Linux Mint ISO.

  11. Hit the Open button.

  12. Stick with the default settings for the next steps.

  13. (Optional) Modify the drive name in the “Volume label” setting if desired.

  14. Proceed by clicking the Start button.

  15. Confirm by clicking OK on the pop-up window.

    Rufus Linux ISO Hybrid image

  16. Click Yes to confirm running the process.

    Rufus Linux Syslinux image

  17. Click OK to finish.

After completing these steps, you’ll have a bootable Linux Mint USB drive ready for use in creating a dual-boot system with Windows 11.

Alternatively, tools like Ventoy can also create any installation media by simply dragging and dropping the ISO file onto a USB drive.

Shrinking Your Windows 11 Partition

While the Linux Mint installation offers a feature to install alongside Windows, it may fail in some cases. To avoid issues, it’s often better to manually shrink the existing Windows partition to allocate space for the Linux distro.

If your setup has a secondary internal drive available, installing Linux Mint on that will keep each OS on separate drives, minimizing risks associated with altering existing partitions and potential data loss.

For devices without an operating system installed, proceed with a clean installation of Windows 11 (or use the same steps for Windows 10).Once completed, follow these instructions to configure dual-boot:

  1. Open Start.

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

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

    Disk Management shrink volume

  4. Specify the size you want to shrink in megabytes.

    Change partition size

    Suggested Note: Although Linux Mint can function with as little as 20GB, it’s advisable to allocate at least 100GB for optimal performance.

  5. Click the Shrink button to finalize your adjustments.

Installing Linux Mint Alongside Windows 11

With your Windows partition now shrunk and your bootable USB ready, it’s time to execute the dual-boot installation:

  1. Insert the Linux Mint USB drive and restart your PC. Access the boot menu by pressing a specific function key (like F2, F8, F12), Delete, or ESC, depending on your computer’s manufacturer. Check their support pages for specific instructions.

  2. Select the “Start Linux Mint” option and press Enter.

    Start Linux Mint

  3. Double-click the “Install Linux Mint” icon on the desktop.

    Install Linux Mint

  4. Choose your installation language.

    Installation language

  5. Click Continue.

  6. Select your keyboard layout.

    Keyboard layout setting

  7. Click Continue.

  8. Optionally, check the “Install multimedia codecs” to enhance functionality.

    Linux Mint Install multimedia codecs

  9. Click Continue.

  10. On the installation type page, select “Something else”.

    Linux Mint setup Something else

  11. Click Continue.

  12. Select the free space option, which is the unallocated space you created earlier.

  13. Click the “+” button to create your Linux Mint partition.

    Linux Mint setup driver manager

  14. Set the mount point to “/”. This is crucial; otherwise, you’ll see an error stating “no root file system is defined” during installation.

    Linux Mint create partition for dual-boot

  15. Click OK to finalize the partition setup.

  16. Now click the Install now button.

    Linux Mint install dual-boot with Windows 11

  17. Click Continue once more.

  18. Select your region to configure time settings.

    Linux Mint select install region

  19. Hit Continue.

  20. Set up a local account for Linux Mint.

    Linux Mint create local account

  21. On the final step, click Continue.

  22. Click the Restart now button after installation is complete.

    Linux Mint install complete

  23. Remove the USB flash drive from your computer and press Enter.

Linux Mint is now installed on your PC alongside Windows 11 (or 10).Keep in mind that since Linux Mint is your second OS, the installation process sets GRUB (Grand Unified Bootloader) as the default boot manager.

Linux Mint boot menu
Linux Mint boot menu / Image: Mauro Huculak

This configuration will make Linux Mint the first option you see when the computer starts. To boot into Windows 11 (or Windows 10), simply select the “Windows Boot Manager” option from the menu.

Additional Insights

1. Can I install Linux Mint without affecting my Windows installation?

Yes, by following the proper steps to create a backup and carefully handle disk partitions using Disk Management, you can install Linux Mint alongside Windows without impacting your existing setup.

2. What if my computer doesn’t recognize the USB drive during boot?

If the USB drive isn’t detected, ensure your BIOS/UEFI settings prioritize USB boot. You may also need to disable secure boot temporarily.

3. How can I switch between operating systems after installation?

You will use the GRUB bootloader to choose your desired OS at startup. If you want to change the default OS, you can adjust settings in the GRUB configuration.

For more information and images, check the original source.

Related Articles:

FragPunk Full Control Guide for PC and Game Controllers
ADOR CEO Pleads for Another Opportunity with NewJeans: Members’ Reactions Explored

Leave a Reply ▼

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *