• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

"Best" way to multiple boot Windows and Linux?

J

jamesdsimone

Golden Member
I have seen several ways to do it and was wondering if one method had any advantage over the others. One way was use a live Linux disc to partition the hard drive install the oldest version of Windows then hide the partition before installing a newer version of windows. And install Linux last.
The more common way is install the oldest Windows in one partition then the newer Windows and let Windows write the MBR then install Linux and Linux should see all the Windows installs and write the GRUB.
 
Best way imo is on a separate drive after unplugging the Windows drive. Use BIOS to select boot drive, with default being your most used o/s. Otherwise, the order is old Windows, new Windows, GNU/Linux.
 
lxskllr said:
Best way imo is on a separate drive after unplugging the Windows drive. Use BIOS to select boot drive, with default being your most used o/s. Otherwise, the order is old Windows, new Windows, GNU/Linux.
Click to expand...

That is the method that I use. Keeps Windows and Linux totally separate, and keeps the bootloaders and GRUB from interfering.
 
Separate drives is the best but if you have to have both on one drive then first install Windows into its partition(s), leaving space for your Linux install, and then install your Linux flavor. On boot GRUB will load and you can select which OS to boot. If you want to change the boot order in GRUB it's easily done via editing a file.

This info is valid up to Win 7 (for me). Past that you'll have to ask someone who's been there...lol
 
lxskllr said:
Best way imo is on a separate drive after unplugging the Windows drive. Use BIOS to select boot drive, with default being your most used o/s. Otherwise, the order is old Windows, new Windows, GNU/Linux.
Click to expand...

Is there a reason not to use grub2 and stick to the bios/uefi?
 
bononos said:
Is there a reason not to use grub2 and stick to the bios/uefi?
Click to expand...

As Larry said, it keeps everything totally separate. A whole drive can die, and you'll still have a bootable system. Also, let's face it; dual booting sucks, and most people won't keep it up over time. By using two drives/BIOS you don't have to do anything at all to boot your default system, and when you finally give it up, no repairs are necessary to your primary system.

For people that really do need to/desire switching often, *and* a vm isn't appropriate, I'd use grub.
 
Yeah second drive is easier. never did manage to make it work on the same drive with 7 and up. Windows creates a special system partition and it's very picky about it's location. Make Linux the primary, the boot loader should actually eventually pickup the windows one and it will have an entry to boot Windows too.

Though I eventually ended up just building a new system for my main Linux machine. Was annoying having to reboot all the time if I wanted to game.
 
Thanks for the advice. I have a 1TB drive I can partition for Windows and a 750 GB I can use for Linux. I have a dual boot system now with Windows XP and Ubuntu 10.10 on one drive. Unfortunately, I can't update Ubuntu because I did not install the LTS version.
 
Red Squirrel said:
Yeah second drive is easier. never did manage to make it work on the same drive with 7 and up. Windows creates a special system partition and it's very picky about it's location. Make Linux the primary, the boot loader should actually eventually pickup the windows one and it will have an entry to boot Windows too.

Though I eventually ended up just building a new system for my main Linux machine. Was annoying having to reboot all the time if I wanted to game.
Click to expand...

I've never had a problem loading Windows first (up to 7, even with the System reserved partition) and then installing Linux (RedHat, Fedora Core, Fedora, CentOS) on a single drive. GRUB picks up the Windows partition and everything works without a problem. Try it the other way and Windows wipes out GRUB.

It's better to use separate drives but that is not an option for some laptops (for example).
 
Corky, there are now several models of laptops which require the whole dern case to be dis-assembled to get to the hard drive. HP, Dell, and I don't know who else makes such models. I've found that to be a totally irritating situation. 🙂

Oh yeah... the subject. I installed another hard drive in my tower and made it the boot drive. Then I installed Mint 17.3 on that drive. The Mint installer detected the Windows installation and made appropriate grub entries for it. I then used an added program (that was available via Mint's software manager) to modify the grub loader the way I wanted it. I can access either OS easily using grub at boot. The Windows drive boot section is unaltered and if I set that Windows drive to be the first in boot order, Windows boots immediately.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top