The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →You can keep Windows and install Linux on the same PC by creating free disk space, starting the Linux installer in the same firmware mode Windows uses, and choosing the installer’s guided Install alongside option. This walkthrough uses Ubuntu Desktop 24.04 LTS; installers for other Linux distributions may use different labels and steps, so follow their current installation documentation.
Back up important files first. Changing disk partitions carries risk, and an installer’s alongside option is not a substitute for a backup.
Before you begin: check the PC and protect your files
- Back up important Windows files to a separate storage device before changing partitions. Canonical recommends moving files to another device before installing Ubuntu. Keep any needed Windows recovery information accessible, too.
- Check hardware compatibility. Ubuntu recommends checking whether the PC is Ubuntu-certified or trying Ubuntu from the installation media before installing, so you can assess whether essential hardware works.
- Check BitLocker or Windows device encryption. If Ubuntu’s installer says BitLocker prevents it from mapping the Windows disk, stop. Canonical says it cannot safely install Ubuntu alongside an encrypted Windows installation; some PCs may also have BitLocker configured before encryption is complete. Consult current instructions for your Windows edition and Linux distribution before changing encryption settings. Canonical warns that disabling BitLocker may not be reversible on some Windows versions.
Do not proceed with an erase-disk option if you intend to keep Windows.
Create a Linux installation USB
- Download the installation image from the official website of the Linux distribution you plan to install.
- Use an image-writing utility to write the image to a USB stick. Ubuntu’s Windows instructions use Rufus.
- Back up anything on the USB stick first: writing the image erases its contents. Carefully confirm that the utility is targeting the USB stick, not another disk.
Make room for Linux and match Windows’ boot mode
Keep Windows installed and provide unallocated disk space for Linux. Ubuntu’s guided alongside flow lets you choose the target drive and the space for Ubuntu. Manual partitioning offers more control but is intended for experienced users; consult your distribution’s current documentation for its exact partition requirements rather than assuming a universal layout or size.
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Start the USB installer from your PC’s one-time boot menu. If the menu lists separate UEFI and Legacy/CSM entries for the USB, choose the one that matches how Windows is installed. Debian’s Bookworm installation manual warns that starting an installer in a different firmware mode from the existing operating system can result in the wrong bootloader for a multi-boot setup. Ubuntu’s community UEFI guidance also explains the need to match the existing mode. For a manual UEFI installation, an EFI System Partition must be available; if reusing Windows’ existing EFI partition, do not format it.
Choose Ubuntu’s guided alongside installation
- Start the Ubuntu installer and select Install Ubuntu alongside if that option is offered.
- Check the selected drive and the proposed amount of space for Ubuntu. Make sure the target is the disk and free space you intended to use.
- Review the installation summary before confirming. If the option is absent, the disk or encryption status is unclear, or the summary does not match your plan, pause and consult Ubuntu’s current installation guidance rather than guessing.
Canonical describes the alongside option as preserving existing files. That is not a guarantee against partitioning mistakes or hardware failure, which is why the backup comes first. Do not select Erase disk and install Ubuntu: that option uses the entire selected disk rather than preserving Windows on it.
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Secure Boot and Windows Fast Startup
Secure Boot
Do not disable Secure Boot automatically. Debian’s Bookworm manual says its Microsoft-signed shim should work with Secure Boot enabled, and Ubuntu documents signed shim and GRUB components. If the PC or a third-party driver displays a Secure Boot warning, check current guidance for your distribution and PC model; the exact steps can vary.
Fast Startup
Disable Windows Fast Startup for a dual-boot setup. Debian explains that the feature uses a partial hibernation-like shutdown, which can leave shared filesystems in a state where access from another operating system risks corruption. If that issue returns after a major Windows update, check whether Fast Startup has been enabled again; Debian notes that Windows Update has sometimes re-enabled it.
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Restart and check that both operating systems start
- When installation finishes, remove the USB when prompted and restart the PC.
- Start Linux and confirm that it reaches the desktop.
- Restart and use the distribution’s boot menu or the PC’s firmware boot menu to start Windows as well.
Boot menus and recovery procedures vary by PC manufacturer, firmware mode, and distribution. If either system fails to start, note the PC model, Windows boot mode, Linux distribution and version, and exact error message before attempting a repair. There is no single boot-repair command that is safe for every dual-boot configuration.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Guided install or manual partitioning?
| Approach | What it offers | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Guided “Install alongside” | The Ubuntu installer offers a guided choice of drive and Linux space and says it preserves existing files. | Most users installing Ubuntu when the option appears and the proposed disk layout is clear. |
| Manual partitioning | More control over partition choices; exact requirements depend on the distribution and setup. | Experienced users who understand the target disk and partition layout. |
A separate drive may change which disk you target and how recovery works, but it is not automatically safer for every PC. Whatever the arrangement, verify the target and installation summary before committing.
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