I'm currently using Kubuntu with a Windows 10 virtual machine, but I'm considering switching my main system to Debian. I still need Windows 10 for school, mainly for Visual Studio and Microsoft SQL Server, so I'm thinking of giving it a 70 GB partition and using the remaining space for Debian.
People often say that Windows updates can sometimes replace or disrupt GRUB. Would using Windows 10 in a dual-boot setup avoid those problems, or should I expect the same kind of maintenance?
3 Answers
Before setting up dual boot, consider keeping the existing Windows virtual machine. You could back it up, install Debian as the main system, reinstall your virtualization software, and restore the VM. That keeps your current Windows setup and avoids rebooting whenever you need Visual Studio or SQL Server. Also, SQL Server has Linux options, and alternatives such as Visual Studio Code or Azure Data Studio may cover some of your work, although full Visual Studio still requires Windows.
If possible, put each operating system on a separate physical drive rather than merely separate partitions. During the Windows installation, disconnect the Linux drive so Windows cannot place its boot files there. You can reconnect it afterward and select the desired system through the firmware boot menu or GRUB. Separate drives make recovery and reinstalling much less risky.
Using Windows 10 instead of another Windows version won’t really protect you from bootloader problems. Updates usually work fine, but Windows can occasionally change the EFI boot order or replace the Linux boot entry. Installing Windows first and Debian afterward generally lets Debian configure GRUB correctly. Keep a Debian live USB available so you can repair the bootloader if necessary.
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