I'm looking to set up a dual boot system where I already have Windows installed on one drive. I have two 2TB drives, and I'd like to install Linux on the second drive (D drive). I'm curious about a few things: How can I do this without messing up my Windows installation? Also, will I be able to game from both OS's? Will games that use anti-cheat measures run fine? If possible, I would appreciate links to guides or resources. Additionally, I've read that I need to install GRUB to choose the OS at startup. Should I install that after I've set up Linux? Lastly, is it safe to partition my Windows C drive to give space to Linux, and what could happen if Windows messes up during this process? Is there any risk of bricking my system, or is it just the Linux data that could be lost?
3 Answers
Before you start, I highly recommend making a complete backup of your Windows drive using tools like Clonezilla or Foxclone, and ensure your important data is saved somewhere safe. To avoid any conflicts, consider disabling the Windows drive in the BIOS after your backup, and tweak your BIOS settings by turning off fast boot and secure boot. Once that’s done, you can go ahead and install Linux on the D drive. After the Linux installation, GRUB will set up to allow you to boot to either OS, but just remember to re-enable the Windows drive afterward and run `os-prober` and update GRUB from Linux to make sure both systems are recognized.
Absolutely! Once you've disabled the Windows drive in BIOS, it's as simple as installing Linux on the D drive. Just follow the prompts during the installation. You're doing everything right!
When you install a Linux distribution, GRUB usually installs automatically as part of the process, so you won’t have to worry too much about it. Just make sure to disable fast startup in Windows and Secure Boot if needed. Some users recommend keeping your drive partitions clear, meaning don't overlap them. This avoids potential issues since the Windows file system can lock up the drive if it's not completely shut down due to those fast boot settings. Consider moving your game installs to the Linux filesystem for better performance. You can find compatibility info for specific games on sites like protondb.com. Remember, not everything will run smoothly on Linux, so check that before making final decisions.
So to clarify, I completely dedicate the D drive to Linux, and after that, plug back in the Windows drive? GRUB will handle the rest, right?
Yep, that's the plan! Disable the Windows drive during installation, make sure everything works on the Linux side, and plug it back in later. GRUB should pick it up without issues!
In summary, dedicate the D drive solely to Linux, unplug the Windows drive during installation so there’s no accidental mix-up. After installing, GRUB will typically set itself up for you. You also have the option of using UEFI directly to select your OS without relying on GRUB if you prefer that method. Just take it one step at a time, and you should be all good!
Perfect! Just to confirm, I've disabled Secure Boot, and now it's a matter of unplugging the Windows drive, installing Linux, then I can choose which OS to boot into? Seems almost too simple!
Exactly! Just follow those steps, and you’ll be good to go. Enjoy your dual boot setup!
What do you mean by adjusting the drive order? If I'm installing Linux on the D drive as it shows in Windows, I believe that should work, right? So to confirm, I just disable the Windows drive in BIOS and install Linux from USB? That sounds pretty straightforward!