Dual boot a system with Ubuntu 18.04 and Windows operating system. Super easy

In this blog, I will show you how to dual boot your system with Ubuntu 18.04 and Windows operating system. So, why you want to dual boot? The answer is simple, there are some task which are not meant for both. I personally use Linux for my daily data science activities and programming task whereas Windows for Video Editing, Photoshop and Microsoft PowerPoint (Google slides have less animation options 🤷‍♂️).

First Round

• So first start with entering into BIOS. This is the most difficult part sometimes. Just search on google which key will work for your laptop.

• Once you press the key, you will get this screen to enter into setup/bios.

• Now, enter into Advanced mode (this is for Asus laptops, bios setup may differ from brand to brand)

• Now, find Boot in navigation bar. Once you are in Boot section, disable the Fast Boot. Also, disable the CSM support.

• After that, navigate to Security section, and disable the Secure Boot Control.

• Now, boot into windows operating system and search for Run application. In the space provided type : diskmgmt.msc and click ok.

• Now, right click on any drive which has a free space and select Shrink Volume.

• Shrink about 100gb of data. Personally, I have freed about 250gb of data as I do most of my work on Ubuntu.

Note: you can access your Windows file from Ubuntu but not vice-versa. You have to install an application to access linux files from Windows and for that click here.

Now, you have cleared the First Round of setting the BIOS.

Second Round

• Now, make a bootable pendrive having ubuntu operating system. If you don’t know then click here. Once you prepared your bootable pendrive, insert the pendrive and restart the system. Click esc key, you will either get a pendrive name or the usb drive name. Select any one from there.
• After that, you will be in installation mode of Ubuntu. Select your preferred language and then select Install Ubuntu.

• Select the keyboard layout and click Continue.

• Now, select Normal installation and check mark the Install third party software option. Don’t mark the Download updates while… option if you are using a Authenticated Network (e.g. College Wifi or Lan). Click Continue.

• select something else option and click Continue.

• you will find a free space of about 100000MB approx. Select the free space and click on the + sign.

• Now, create a 20GB /root partition. In my case, out of 250gb free space. I have given 80GB of data to root.

• Next, create a swap area of 4GB because my ram has a size of 4GB.

Note: if you have a ram memory < 8GB then create a swap partition same as the ram memory. If you have a ram memory ≥ 8GB then create a swap partition of 8GB only.

• Create the remaining memory as /home partition.

• Now, click on Install Now option. A popup window will appear. Click Continue.

• You will get the timezone window. Select your country and click continue.

• Enter your Details and click continue.

• Installation will start.

• Once installation is complete, it will tell you to restart. So, remove your pendrive and click restart now.

Congratulations, now you have a dual boot system.

Note: on restarting your system, if you get booted into windows then follow the following steps.

• Power On the system and press the esc key to get into boot menu and select Enter Setup.

• Just drag the ubuntu option on the top. Save and Exit the boot menu and restart the system.

• Now, you will get the Ubuntu’ s grub menu to boot in either Ubuntu or Windows operating system.

Now your system has incredible power of both Ubuntu and Windows operating system. Now with great powers, your system have a great responsibility to solve your problems.