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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsTo dual-boot Ryoku Linux and Windows, create unallocated space by shrinking the Windows partition in Windows Disk Management, prepare Windows to avoid hibernation and BitLocker issues, then boot Ryoku’s installer in UEFI mode and select Install alongside Windows. Ryoku’s documented alongside strategy preserves existing partitions and creates its boot and root partitions in the free space.
Before you begin: check compatibility and space
Ryoku supports x86_64 hardware and requires UEFI; it has no legacy BIOS installation path. Its project README lists a dual-core 64-bit x86_64 CPU, 4 GB RAM, a GPU with working KMS and OpenGL/Vulkan, and 32 GB of storage as minimum hardware requirements. Those general requirements do not replace the space needed for a dual-boot installation.
For the alongside install, reserve at least 2 + 20 + configured swap GiB in contiguous unallocated space: 2 GiB for Ryoku’s FAT boot partition, a 20 GiB minimum for its Btrfs root, and the swap allocation you configure. Check available space before starting the installer. See the Ryoku project documentation and project README for current requirements and release instructions.
Ryoku’s Limine bootloader ships unsigned. Disable Secure Boot unless you have enrolled your own keys and understand how to proceed with them. Back up important files before changing partitions; a backup is a standard precaution, not a Ryoku-specific recovery feature.
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Prepare Windows and make unallocated space
Shrink the Windows partition
- In Windows, open Disk Management.
- Locate the Windows volume on the disk where you intend to install Ryoku, right-click it, and choose Shrink Volume.
- Reduce the volume enough to leave a contiguous unallocated region of at least 2 + 20 + your configured swap allocation in GiB.
- Confirm that the resulting space is shown as unallocated, and do not format it as a new Windows volume.
Ryoku’s installer can shrink a selected NTFS, ext2/3/4, or Btrfs partition, but its hardware guide describes shrinking the Windows partition from within Windows as the safest approach. The FAQ’s literal installer choice is Install alongside Windows. See the Ryoku installation FAQ.
Disable Fast Startup and suspend BitLocker
Turn off Windows Fast Startup and fully shut down Windows before booting the installer. A hibernated or Fast-Startup-dirty NTFS volume causes the installer to stop. Do not casually use an override: the Ryoku guide warns that writing a partition table while NTFS is dirty may lead Windows Startup Repair to rewrite the table and remove the new Ryoku partitions.
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Suspend BitLocker protection before installation. Partition-table changes may prompt for the recovery key, and booting Windows through Limine can affect the measured boot path and trigger repeated recovery prompts until protection is suspended and Windows re-seals it. Consult the Ryoku hardware and installation guide for these safeguards.
Make the installer USB and boot it in UEFI mode
- Download the Ryoku ISO, its signature, and the published checksums from the project’s release instructions.
- Write the ISO to a USB stick using an image-writing method you trust. Ryoku’s documentation does not specify a required USB capacity or brand.
- Restart the PC and use its firmware boot menu to select the USB device’s UEFI boot entry, not a legacy or compatibility-mode entry.
Ryoku’s README instructs fresh-install users to obtain the ISO, signature, and checksums, write the ISO to USB media, and boot that media.
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Install Ryoku alongside Windows
- Start the guided installer and select the target disk—the one containing Windows and the unallocated region you prepared.
- Choose the alongside strategy, labeled Install alongside Windows.
- Review the installer’s proposed disk and free region carefully. Proceed only if it targets the intended disk and leaves the existing Windows partitions intact.
- Confirm the installation. Ryoku’s alongside strategy creates a 2 GiB FAT boot partition and a Btrfs root partition in the selected free region.
Ryoku handles boot-partition placement based on free space in the existing EFI System Partition (ESP). This is an automatic choice, not a separate option you need to select:
| Free space in existing ESP | Ryoku boot placement | Effect on existing ESP |
|---|---|---|
| At least 8 MiB | The new 2 GiB FAT partition is used as XBOOTLDR; Ryoku writes a small boot hop under /EFI/ryoku/* on the existing ESP. |
The existing ESP is backed up and receives Ryoku’s boot hop. Ryoku checks it with fsck.fat -a and stops if repair cannot clear it. |
| Less than 8 MiB | The new 2 GiB FAT partition serves as a dedicated Ryoku ESP. | The existing ESP is not mounted read-write or modified. |
Both placement modes use the same stated 2 + 20 + configured swap GiB free-space footprint. Do not try to make room by manually resizing, moving, or cleaning files from a nearly full Windows ESP; Ryoku’s guide warns against doing so.
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Reboot and confirm both operating systems start
After installation, Ryoku registers a firmware NVRAM entry and sets it first for the next boot. Restart and confirm that Ryoku starts. Then verify that Windows remains available through Limine or the firmware boot menu. The Windows Boot Manager firmware entry remains in place.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot boot and Windows recovery problems
Windows asks for a BitLocker recovery key
Use the recovery key if Windows requests it. If chainloading Windows through Limine causes repeated prompts or boot trouble, select Windows Boot Manager directly in the firmware boot menu; this avoids the Limine chainloading path. Suspend BitLocker before future boot-path or partition changes.
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- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
- Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a blush pink color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
- On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.14 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
Windows chainloading loops
Restart and choose Windows Boot Manager from the firmware boot menu, often opened with the computer’s startup key. This is the fallback when Windows does not start correctly through Limine.
Ryoku disappears from the boot menu or firmware order changes
Some firmware resets or ignores boot order. Open firmware setup and put Ryoku/Limine first. A Windows feature update may remove Ryoku’s NVRAM entry; the loader remains on the selected partition, and Ryoku’s guide provides efibootmgr commands to register it again. Follow those commands in the Ryoku installation guide rather than guessing at firmware entries.
The installer stops on NTFS or ESP checks
If the installer detects hibernated or Fast-Startup-dirty NTFS, return to Windows, disable Fast Startup, and fully shut down before trying again. If the existing ESP cannot safely be shared, Ryoku’s documented dedicated-ESP mode is the alternative when less than 8 MiB is free; do not manually clean or resize the Windows ESP to force shared mode.
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