I'm increasingly interested in switching to Linux, possibly Fedora, but I still need Microsoft software for college, so I can't move away from Windows completely. If I install Fedora on a separate drive and keep Windows on its own drive, how practical is dual-booting? How do I choose which operating system starts, and should I expect problems such as Windows repeatedly requiring me to reset my PIN?
3 Answers
A typical menu might list Fedora, Fedora recovery or advanced options, and Windows Boot Manager. Installing each system on a separate drive can make things easier to manage, though you should still back up important files before changing partitions or boot settings. Avoid changing security settings unnecessarily, and you should not be asked to reset your PIN repeatedly.
Check your firmware settings if the boot menu does not appear. Features such as fast startup or fast boot can sometimes skip the normal selection screen, so disabling the relevant option may help. You can also use the computer’s one-time UEFI boot menu to choose a drive manually. Overall, dual-booting is usually quite convenient once it is configured.
When the computer starts, the bootloader normally displays a menu where you can choose Fedora or Windows Boot Manager. You select one with the keyboard, or let the default option start automatically after a short countdown. Resetting your Windows PIN is not a normal consequence of dual-booting.
Thanks, that clears up the boot menu and PIN concern.