Can I dual-boot Windows 11 and Linux with a shared data partition?

Install Windows first, then Linux, since the Linux installer can normally detect Windows and add it to the boot menu. Before resizing the Windows partition, back up anything important and use Windows' own disk tools when possible. Disable Windows Fast Startup so it does not leave the shared or Windows volume in a hibernated state, which can cause access problems from Linux. BitLocker and Secure Boot may require additional planning rather than simply being disabled.

A shared FAT-based partition can work on both systems, but exFAT is generally more practical than older FAT formats because it supports large files without the same limitations. Another option is keeping the data on NTFS; modern Linux distributions can usually read and write it reliably, though you should fully shut down Windows before accessing it from Linux. Always keep a separate backup, because a shared partition is not a backup by itself.

Yes, this is a common setup. You can create separate partitions for Windows, Linux, and shared files. Linux can usually read Windows partitions, but Windows generally cannot read Linux filesystems such as ext4. A shared partition formatted as exFAT is straightforward for both systems, while NTFS can also work well when Linux support is configured properly. Keep applications in their native operating system; the shared partition is best used for documents, media, and other data.