I have a Windows laptop and wanted to give Linux a try, but I'm facing issues when switching between operating systems. Every time I boot into Windows, my Linux installation seems to disappear, and I can't find it in the BIOS settings. I originally downloaded Linux on an internal SSD, which I use externally without any issues, but when I go back to Windows, it's like Linux is gone. I read that Windows can't read Linux file systems, which could be why it doesn't show up in Disk Management. I've also turned off fast boot and secure boot, but I can't locate a Linux boot loader. Does anyone have ideas on what might be going wrong?
4 Answers
Just a suggestion: look into whether you've really installed Linux or if you keep booting from a live USB drive. You should see options like "Install to disk" and not just "Run live image" when booting from the USB to confirm the installation process.
Have you actually installed Linux on your SSD or just downloaded the ISO? Just to clarify, if you're running a live image from a USB or similar, it won't be installed on your hard drive. You should ensure you've gone through the installation process and not just booting from a live USB every time.
It sounds a bit confusing! What specific Linux distribution did you try to install? Understanding that can help troubleshoot. Also, check if your installation process included creating a bootloader and if it's set up correctly. Sometimes it helps to see installation guides that can simplify the steps.
I had a similar issue before. It’s worth going through a detailed installation guide to make sure you have the bootloader configured correctly.
Okay, I’m a bit confused too! You mentioned using an internal SSD as external, which is a bit tricky. Can you clarify if that's the case? If Windows isn't recognizing it after booting, you might need to install WSL or check if the OS setup was completed properly.
I downloaded Linux Mint and thought I was installing it, but I’ll double-check on that bootloader setup!