How to Install Linux Alongside Windows (Dual Boot)

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Dual booting gives you the best of both worlds: keep Windows for the few things that need it, and run Linux for everything else. At startup, a menu lets you pick which OS to boot. Done right, it's safe and reversible — this guide walks through every step for Windows 11 and any major distro, in 2026.

Part 1: Prepare Windows (15 minutes)

Step 1 — Back up your files

Non-negotiable. Copy documents, photos, and anything irreplaceable to an external drive or cloud storage. Partitioning is routine, but routine isn't the same as risk-free.

Step 2 — Deal with BitLocker

Windows 11 often encrypts your drive with BitLocker silently. Check: Settings → Privacy & security → Device encryption (or search "Manage BitLocker").

• If it's on, first save your recovery key (Microsoft account → Devices → BitLocker keys) — you may be asked for it after boot changes.
• Easiest path for beginners: turn BitLocker off (it decrypts in the background; can take a while). You can re-enable it after everything works.

Step 3 — Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup leaves the Windows filesystem in a half-hibernated state that blocks Linux from reading it safely. Disable it: Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do → Change settings that are currently unavailable → untick "Turn on fast startup" → Save.

Step 4 — Shrink the Windows partition

1. Right-click Start → Disk Management.
2. Right-click your big C: partition → Shrink Volume.
3. Enter how much space to give Linux, in MB: 51200 for 50 GB (comfortable minimum) or 102400 for 100 GB (recommended if you'll daily-drive Linux).
4. Click Shrink. The new space shows as black "Unallocated" — leave it exactly like that. The Linux installer will use it.

Part 2: Create the Linux USB (10 minutes)

1. Download your distro's ISO from its official site.
2. Download Rufus (rufus.ie) or balenaEtcher.
3. Insert the USB stick (⚠️ it will be erased), select the ISO, and flash with default settings (GPT / UEFI — the default on any Windows 11-era machine).

Part 3: Boot the Installer (5 minutes)

1. Reboot with the USB inserted, tapping your boot-menu key: usually F12 (Dell/Lenovo), F10/Esc (HP), F8 (ASUS), F12 (Acer/MSI).
2. Pick your USB stick — choose the UEFI entry if two appear.
3. You'll land on a live Linux desktop. Connect to Wi-Fi and check that screen, sound, and touchpad work.

Part 4: Install Alongside Windows (20 minutes)

1. Double-click Install on the live desktop and follow the prompts (language, keyboard).
2. At Installation Type, the installer detects Windows 11 and offers: "Install Linux Mint alongside Windows Boot Manager." Select it. This automatically uses the unallocated space from Part 1 — it does not touch your Windows files.
3. If you're only offered "Erase disk" — STOP. That means the installer didn't see free space or Windows. Re-check Part 1; do not proceed with Erase.
4. Create your username and password, then let it install (~15 minutes) and reboot when prompted, removing the USB.

Part 5: Meet GRUB — Your New Boot Menu

After reboot you'll see GRUB: a simple menu listing your Linux distro and Windows Boot Manager. Arrow keys + Enter choose; the highlighted entry boots automatically after 10 seconds. That's dual booting — you're done. 🎉

First-boot checklist on the Linux side: connect Wi-Fi, run the update manager, and confirm you can also still boot Windows from the menu.

Troubleshooting the Common Issues

PC boots straight into Windows, no menu

The firmware is preferring Windows' bootloader. Enter BIOS/UEFI settings (usually F2 or Del at power-on) → Boot order → move "ubuntu" / your distro entry above Windows Boot Manager.

Windows asks for a BitLocker recovery key

Expected after boot-chain changes if BitLocker was on. Enter the key you saved in Step 2 (retrievable anytime at your Microsoft account's device page); Windows boots normally afterwards.

Clock is wrong when switching between systems

Windows and Linux interpret the hardware clock differently. Fix from Linux with one command: timedatectl set-local-rtc 1 --adjust-system-clock

I want my Windows files in Linux

Your Windows partition appears in the Linux file manager automatically — you can read and copy everything (one more reason Fast Startup had to go). Linux files are invisible from Windows without extra tools, so treat Linux as the "sees everything" side.

Removing Linux later

Fully reversible: from Windows, delete the Linux partitions in Disk Management, extend C: back over the space, and repair the boot entry with bootrec /fixmbr from Windows recovery — or just keep GRUB, which boots Windows fine forever.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will dual booting slow down Windows?

No. The systems share a disk but never run simultaneously. The only "cost" is disk space and ten seconds at the boot menu.

Can Windows updates break my dual boot?

Occasionally a major Windows update resets the boot order so the GRUB menu disappears. Nothing is deleted — fix it in 30 seconds via the BIOS boot-order method above.

Should I dual boot or use a virtual machine?

VM: convenient, both systems at once, but slower and weak for GPU tasks. Dual boot: full native performance. Many people start in a VM, then dual boot once hooked.

How much space does Linux really need?

30 GB minimum runs fine; 50 GB is comfortable; 100 GB+ if you'll install games (see our gaming guide) or large projects.

Picked your second OS yet? Compare candidates in our Compare Tool or browse beginner-friendly distros.