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You can dual boot Ubuntu and Windows, but Ubuntu’s supported same-disk installation path requires turning off BitLocker first: while encryption is enabled, the installer cannot safely map the Windows disk. If you want to keep BitLocker enabled, Ubuntu documents installing to a separate, unencrypted disk instead. Before changing encryption or boot settings, make sure you can retrieve your Windows recovery key.
Choose the installation path before changing anything
The steps below apply to Ubuntu Desktop. Other Linux distributions may handle BitLocker differently, so check the documentation for the specific installer you plan to use.
| Ubuntu installation path | BitLocker requirement | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Install Ubuntu alongside Windows on the same disk | Ubuntu says to turn off BitLocker in Windows so the installer can map the disk. | Check whether your Windows version and configuration will let you enable BitLocker again afterward. Ubuntu cautions that some versions may not. Ubuntu’s BitLocker installation guidance |
| Install Ubuntu on a separate, unencrypted disk | Ubuntu says BitLocker does not need to be disabled for this arrangement. | You need suitable separate storage and must confirm that the installer is targeting that disk. Ubuntu’s BitLocker installation guidance |
These paths are not interchangeable guarantees: installer support and firmware behavior can vary by Ubuntu version and device. Ubuntu’s desktop installation tutorial describes booting the target PC from a USB flash drive; installation media does not, by itself, resolve BitLocker compatibility.
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Find and verify your recovery key
Before repartitioning or changing firmware and boot settings, locate your BitLocker recovery key and make sure you can access it without relying on the Windows installation you are changing. Microsoft describes the recovery key as a unique 48-digit numerical password. Hardware, firmware, or software changes can cause BitLocker to request it; a prompt is possible, not inevitable. Microsoft’s BitLocker overview
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Check whether BitLocker can be turned back on
For a same-disk Ubuntu install, Ubuntu’s instructions say to turn BitLocker off in Windows before restarting the installation process. Suspending BitLocker protection is not the same as turning off encryption: the installer needs access to disk-layout information, and Ubuntu says an encrypted Windows disk remains inaccessible to it. Ubuntu also warns that certain Windows versions may not allow BitLocker to be re-enabled after it is disabled, without naming the affected versions. Verify support for your exact Windows version and configuration before proceeding. Ubuntu’s BitLocker installation guidance
Install Ubuntu on the same disk
- In Windows, confirm that BitLocker can be restored. Check the support for your exact Windows version and configuration, and make sure your recovery key is retrievable.
- Turn off BitLocker in Windows. Follow the encryption controls available on your system. Ubuntu’s documented requirement is to turn it off; merely suspending protection does not make the encrypted disk readable to its installer.
- Restart the Ubuntu installation process. Boot the target PC from Ubuntu installation media, such as a USB flash drive, and follow the Ubuntu Desktop installer.
- Check the disk choice carefully. Continue only if the installer offers a way to install Ubuntu alongside Windows while preserving the Windows installation. If it offers only an erase-disk option, stop rather than proceed: erasing the disk is destructive, and Ubuntu says Windows data cannot be recovered after that choice. Ubuntu’s desktop installation tutorial
Install Ubuntu on a separate disk
Ubuntu says you can leave BitLocker enabled when installing Ubuntu to a separate, unencrypted disk. During installation, carefully identify the intended target and verify that it is not the encrypted Windows disk before applying any changes. This option depends on having separate storage suitable for the installation. Ubuntu’s BitLocker installation guidance
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- PLATFORM BOUNDARY - Not designed to boot Apple Silicon or other ARM-based computers. Confirm CPU architecture and USB-boot support before purchase.
- BOOT SETTINGS VARY - Boot-menu keys and UEFI settings differ by manufacturer; consult the computer maker's instructions if the USB is not listed.
- BACK UP BEFORE INSTALLING - Disk-partition and installation choices can erase files or operating systems. Disconnect nonessential drives and preserve the USB until it is no longer needed for installation or recovery.
What to expect after changing boot settings
BitLocker may request the recovery key if it detects a change that could indicate unauthorized access. Microsoft documents recovery prompts in specific Secure Boot and firmware situations, including some Secure Boot updates and repeated recovery associated with a PXE/network-first boot order. These are scenario-specific examples, not evidence that every Ubuntu dual boot triggers recovery. Microsoft’s Secure Boot troubleshooting guide
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If a recovery prompt appears, use the recovery key you verified before making changes. It is a protective check, not proof by itself that the disk has been erased. Do not disable Secure Boot as a general dual-boot step: the cited Ubuntu and Microsoft guidance does not establish that as a universal requirement, and behavior depends on the device and configuration.
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If you also enable Ubuntu hardware-backed encryption
For a dual-boot setup that uses Windows BitLocker and Ubuntu hardware-backed disk encryption, Canonical advises storing both operating systems’ recovery keys. Ubuntu’s hardware-backed disk encryption documentation
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