4 October 2025
Tech Tips

Install Linux (dual-boot or as a primary)

Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide you can follow whether you want Linux as your primary OS or in a dual-boot with Windows. I’ll cover both UEFI and legacy BIOS paths and flag common pitfalls.

Before you start

  • Choose a distro: Ubuntu/Ubuntu-based (easy), Fedora, Debian, Linux Mint, etc.
  • Backup important data from your current OS.
  • Check hardware compatibility (graphics card, wifi, SSD/HDD, TPM/secure boot if relevant).
  • If dual-booting with Windows, plan to shrink Windows first and disable some Windows features (Fast Startup, hibernation, BitLocker if active).
  1. Prepare the install media and tools
  • Download the ISO of your chosen distro from its official site.
  • Create a bootable USB:
    • Windows: Rufus (recommended) or balenaEtcher.
    • macOS/Linux: balenaEtcher or dd (advanced users).
  • Create a small live session USB if you want to try before installing (optional).
  1. Prepare the existing OS (especially for dual-boot with Windows)
  • In Windows:
    • Disable Fast Startup (Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable > uncheck Fast startup).
    • If BitLocker is on, suspend or turn it off.
    • Run Disk Management and shrink the Windows partition to free space for Linux (e.g., free space of 20–100+ GB depending on your needs). Leave the space unallocated.
  • Check BIOS/UEFI settings:
    • Enable AHCI mode (instead of IDE) for SATA.
    • If using Windows, you’ll likely use UEFI with a shared EFI System Partition (ESP).
  1. Boot from the USB installer
  • Reboot and enter your firmware/BIOS boot menu (often F12, F10, Esc, or Delete).
  • Choose to boot in UEFI mode if your system supports it (recommended). If you’re using legacy BIOS, choose legacy boot.
  • Choose “Try/Live” if you want a test run, or go straight to Install.
  1. Start the Linux installer and choose install type
  • Most installers offer:
    • Install alongside Windows (dual-boot, auto-partitioning)
    • Erase disk and install Linux (use with caution – will wipe all data)
    • Something else / manual partitioning (best for dual-boot or custom partitions)
  • If you want full control (recommended for dual-boot):
    • Pick “Something else” or “Manual partitioning.”
  1. Partitioning (manual/dual-boot scenario)
  • EFI System Partition (ESP): If you already have Windows:
    • Reuse the existing ESP (usually a small FAT32 partition flagged as ESP/boot). Do not format it.
    • If Windows isn’t present or there isn’t an ESP, create a new EFI System Partition:
      • Size: ~200–300 MB
      • File system: FAT32
      • Flags: boot, esp
  • Linux partitions to create (examples; sizes depend on your disk and needs):
    • root / (ext4): 20–50 GB or more
    • swap: 2–8 GB (or use a swap file later)
    • home /home (optional): rest of the space
  • If you want to encrypt your install, you can enable full-disk encryption for the root partition (e.g., LUKS). This adds security but requires entering a passphrase at boot.
  • Bootloader:
    • Install GRUB to the EFI System Partition (this is standard for UEFI).
    • If you’re not using a separate ESP, the installer will often handle this for you.
  1. Complete the install
  • Choose your time zone, user account, and password.
  • Let the installer finish; it may take a while.
  • When prompted, remove the USB drive and reboot.
  • If dual-booting, GRUB will show a menu allowing you to choose Linux or Windows.
  1. First boot and post-install setup
  • Log in and update:
    • Debian/Ubuntu-based: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
    • Fedora: sudo dnf update
  • Install additional drivers:
    • NVIDIA: install the proprietary driver (often via your distro’s Driver Manager or by running something like sudo apt install nvidia-driver-xx on Ubuntu/Debian).
    • Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth: install firmware packages if needed (e.g., linux-firmware).
  • Install essential software: browser, office suite, media codecs as needed (Ubuntu often asks to install codecs during setup).
  • Enable automatic updates if you want: enable unattended upgrades on Debian/Ubuntu, or use your distro’s updater.
  1. If you run into boot issues (especially with dual-boot)
  • If Windows updates override the bootloader, you can restore GRUB:
    • Boot from the Linux live USB, choose “Try,” then run:
      • For Ubuntu/Debian-based: sudo mount /dev/sdXn /mnt (root partition) sudo grub-install –boot-directory=/mnt/boot /dev/sdX sudo update-grub
    • If you’re unsure, many distros offer a Boot Repair tool (boot-repair-disk) you can run from a live session.
  • If you don’t see any OS at boot, you may need to repair the ESP or GRUB again.
  1. Keeping things tidy
  • Regularly apply OS updates.
  • Back up important data.
  • If you don’t need swap, you can drop the swap partition later and use a swap file instead (hello, systemd-swap or fallocate).

Extra notes and tips

  • If you’re new, Ubuntu or Linux Mint are the most forgiving for beginners and have good hardware detection.
  • If you want a Windows + Linux dual-boot with Windows 11/10, plan for a 1–2 step process: shrink Windows, install Linux into the freed space, reuse the ESP, and manage updates carefully.
  • If you’re installing Linux as the only OS, you can use the guided option to use the entire disk (this will erase everything on that drive).
error: Content is protected !!