Interested in Linux, but not ready to abandon Windows? Try dual-booting – here’s how

With Windows 10 support due to end soon, many users are looking for an alternative OS, so they don’t have to purchase yet another computer. One of the best options for most people is Linux. Modern Linux distributions are user-friendly, rock-solid, and free.

If you have zero experience with Linux, you might think it’s above your skills, so you have yet to find the courage to use it. Back in 1997, when I discovered Linux, I was clueless about how it worked. When I finally installed the open-source OS, I didn’t know that it overwrote Windows, which meant I had no choice but to learn Linux.

Also: Thinking about switching to Linux? 10 things you need to know

However, there was another option: dual-booting. 

What is dual-booting?

Essentially, dual-booting means you’ll have access to two (or more, if necessary) operating systems. 

For example, let’s say your computer is running Windows 10 and you want to install Linux alongside it. You would install Linux, making sure to set it up properly during the installation (more on that in a bit), such that you would have access to both operating systems (although not simultaneously).

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Once you’ve set up dual-booting, when you start (or restart) your computer, you get to select which operating system you want to use. If you have both Linux and Windows installed, you’ll be presented with those two options. Even better, when using Linux, you can also mount the Windows partitions and access the files housed within that OS.

So, why would you want this option? It’s a great way to test Linux while still having Windows available to you. Another great reason to take this approach is that you can use Linux while still having access to the Windows apps you depend on. You could boot into Linux, use it for whatever you need, and then reboot the computer, select Windows, and use whatever apps you need (if the tools aren’t available for Linux). Dual-booting is a way to get the best of both worlds.

I will add that, from my perspective, the best option for testing Linux, while retaining Windows, is to use a virtual machine manager (such as VirtualBox). However, not everyone is comfortable using virtual machines (they can be a bit intimidating). If dealing with virtual machines sounds too complicated for you, then dual-booting might be the best option.

How do you set up dual-booting?

A word of warning: I would highly recommend you test this approach on a spare machine, in case something goes sideways. You wouldn’t want to wipe your Windows partition and end up only having Linux at your disposal.

Another word of warning: before you even think about taking this approach, make sure you back up all of your important files to an external drive. You wouldn’t want to wind up losing all your data.

How you set up dual-booting will depend on a couple of things: your hardware (you need to have enough available hard drive space for a second operating system) and the OSes you have chosen. 

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Some Linux distributions (such as Ubuntu) do a better job of handling dual-booting. Even so, the process is typically the same. Here’s how it works:

1. Create a bootable ISO for the Linux distribution you’ve chosen.
2. Insert the USB drive that contains the newly burned Linux distribution.
3. When prompted, select either the Try or Install option.
4. Click the installer icon found on the Linux desktop.
5. Walk through the first steps of the installer until you get to the Installation Type (which may be labeled as something different, depending on the Linux distribution you’re installing. For example, some distributions will call this “Disk setup”, and ZorinOS labels it “Something else”.)
6. When prompted, you’ll want to select the option for installing the new OS alongside the current OS. Again, this step will depend on the Linux distribution you’re installing. For instance, with Ubuntu, you’ll see an option for Install Ubuntu Alongside Windows Boot Manager.
7. Install Linux.

Once Linux is installed, reboot and choose either Linux or Windows from the boot manager.

Dual-booting isn’t for everyone, but if you need to use both Linux and Windows (especially for transitioning away from Windows 10), this approach is an option. Again, I would recommend using a tool like VirtualBox, but not everyone is comfortable using virtual machines because they can be complicated. If that sounds like you, give dual-booting a try and see what you think.

Also: Why I use the Linux tree command daily – and what it can do for you

Just use a modicum of caution when taking this approach, as you wouldn’t want to find yourself without your Windows partition, which would mean all of your data is lost.