I recently got a new device for work and personal use, but my company's IT department can't assist me with the setup since it falls outside their responsibilities. The policy states that I need to dual boot Windows to use my device for personal activities. I'm familiar with dual booting from Linux to Windows, but this seems a bit different. I found a tutorial that mentions using virtual hard drives rather than traditional dual booting, which raises concerns for me. I'm worried that my work's security software might access my personal internet history and files. What's the best way to configure this dual boot so that neither operating system can see the other on the same drive?
1 Answer
While I generally wouldn't recommend it, you can install different versions of Windows on separate partitions. Just keep in mind that an admin on either installation could access the other's files. If you're worried about that, consider using Veracrypt to secure your personal partition, since your work’s BitLocker won't affect it. Alternatively, setting up a Linux installation for personal use might help with separation. If you're going the external drive route for personal use, it's best to connect it through an eSATA or Thunderbolt port for optimal performance and security. Just don't boot the work version of Windows with the personal drive connected. And always be aware of your company's Acceptable Usage Policy.
You can actually turn Windows 11 into a Windows To Go setup using Rufus. It might be a little buggy, but you could run personal activities on that and switch to the internal SSD for work.