Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Creating a bootable disc
• Part 2 of 4: Creating a disk partition
• Part 3 of 4: Preparing your computer
• Part 4 of 4: Installing a second operating system
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

It can be useful to install two operating systems on your PC. You may want to run Windows 10 and Linux side by side, or Windows 10 and an older version of Windows. This can be useful if you want to use the latest Windows software and a different operating system with features you may prefer. This wikiHow teaches you how to install two operating systems on one computer.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Creating a bootable disc

1. Install Windows. If you have not already done so, you will need to install Windows before installing other operating systems. Other operating systems, such as Linux, are designed to work alongside Windows. If you don't have an operating system installed on your PC, make sure to install Windows first.
   • The exception is if you are trying to dual boot Windows on a Mac alongside macOS. Macs are built slightly differently from most standard PCs and generally come with macOS preinstalled.
2. Go to https://rufus.ie/ in a web browser. This is the web page to download Rufus, a tool for creating a USB installation drive that you can use to install an operating system on your computer.
   • You can also use an official installation CD or DVD.
3. Download and install Rufus. Use the following steps to download and install Rufus from the download page.
   • Scroll down and click Rufus 3.8.
   • Run the "Rufus-3.8.exe" from your web browser or Downloads folder.
4. Download a disk image (ISO) file for the operating system you want to install. A disk image file is data that goes on an installation disk, DVD, or USB stick. Go to the website of the operating system you want to download to download the ISO file from that website. The following links contain ISO images of the operating system that you can download:
   • Windows 10
   • Windows 8
   • Windows 7
   • Ubuntu
   • Linux Mint
   • Debian
   • Installing macOS on a non-Apple computer is more complicated than installing other operating systems, but it is possible.
5. Insert an empty USB stick. Make sure the USB stick has enough space for the operating system you want to install. Also make sure that the USB stick you are using does not have important data that you do not want to lose. Insert the USB stick into an open USB port on your computer.
6. Open Rufus. It has an icon that resembles a USB stick. Click the Rufus icon in the Windows Start menu to open Rufus.
7. Select your USB stick. Use the drop-down menu under "Devices" to select your USB stick.
8. click on Selecting. It's the button to the right of "Boot Selection" in Rufus. This will open a file browser that you can use to select the ISO file for the operating system you want to install.
9. Select the operating system ISO file and click Open. This will load the ISO file into Rufus.
10. click on Start. It's at the bottom of Rufus' screen on the right. This starts the process of putting the ISO file on the USB stick. This can take a while.

Part 2 of 4: Creating a disk partition

1. Make a backup of all important data files. You can usually partition a disk drive and install a new operating system without losing important data. However, it's a good idea to back up all important data on your disk drive before you start partitioning and installing a new operating system, in case something goes wrong.
2. Right click on the Windows Start menu click on Disk management. It's in the menu that appears when you right-click on the Windows Start menu. This will open the Disk Management window.
3. Right click on your Windows installation drive. This is the drive where Windows is installed. Usually this is the "C:" drive.
4. click on Decrease volume .... It's in the menu that appears when you right-click on a disk drive in Disk Management.
5. Enter the amount of space you want to allocate to the new operating system installation. Enter the number of megabytes (MB) you want to partition from the disk drive in the field next to "Enter the number of MB to shrink the partition:". Make sure to enter the minimum space required to install the new operating system.
   • To convert GB to MB, multiply the value by 1000. For example, 40 GB equals 40,000 MB.
6. click on Shrink. This creates a new partition of unallocated space on your hard drive.

Part 3 of 4: Preparing your computer

1. Disable Fast Boot. With the following steps you can disable Fast Boot in Windows.
   • Click on the Windows Start menu.
   • Type Control panel and click on its icon.
   • Type Power management in the search bar at the top right.
   • Click on "Control the behavior of the power buttons".
   • Click on "Change settings that are currently unavailable".
   • Make sure the "Enable quick startup (Recommended)" box at the bottom is unchecked.
   • click on Saving Changes.
2. Open the BIOS of your computer. You will need to make some changes to the BIOS to install a second operating system. The method of entering the BIOS is different from one computer brand and model to another. On some computers, you can enter the BIOS by pressing one of the function keys (F1, F2, F9, F12), Esc, or Delete while your computer boots. You can also use the following steps to reboot the BIOS from Windows:
   • Click on the Windows Start menu.
   • Click the Power icon.
   • Hold down "Shift" and click Restart.
   • click on Resolving problems.
   • click on Advanced options: UEFI firmware settings.
   • Click Restart.
3. Disable Secure Boot. The BIOS menu varies by computer make and model. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate the BIOS menu. Secure Boot can usually be found in the Security, Boot or Authentication menu. Find Secure Boot and set it to "Disabled".
4. Set the boot order to boot first from a USB stick. This can usually be found in the Boot menu. Locate the boot order menu and set it to boot from a USB stick first.
   • If you are using an installation CD or DVD, set it up to install from the CD / DVD-ROM first.
5. Save your settings. After making the necessary changes to your BIOS system, find the option to save your settings. Select the option to save and exit the BIOS to save and reboot your computer.

Part 4 of 4: Installing a second operating system

1. Insert the installation disc. If you used Rufus to create a USB installation disc, insert the USB drive into an open USB port on your computer. If you're using a CD or DVD installation disc, put it in your CD / DVD drive.
2. Restart your computer. If your computer is on, restart it first. In other cases, press the power button on your computer so that it boots from the installation disc.
3. Wait for the Setup Utility to finish loading. If your computer boots properly from the installation disc, you should see the operating system installer.
4. Select your language and keyboard layout. The installer for each operating system is a bit different. In general, you start by selecting your language and keyboard layout.
5. Enter the serial number of the CD (if necessary). Some operating systems, such as Ubuntu, are free to install. Other operating systems, such as Windows, require that you purchase a CD code or serial number. If you are asked to enter a serial number or CD code, enter the code in the space provided.
6. Select the "Custom" or "Other" installation option. When selecting the installation type, select "Custom", "Other", "Something else" or something similar. Selecting a standard installation may overwrite your current operating system.
7. Format the drive on which you want to install the operating system. When installing a new operating system, you will be asked to select which drive you want to install it on and format the drive. Select the unallocated space you previously partitioned.
   • When installing Linux, you must format the drive as Ext4.
   • If you install Ubuntu, you will also need to format some of the unallocated space as a swap area. This should be equal to the amount of RAM you have installed on your computer.
8. Follow the prompts to complete the installation. You will likely be asked to create a username and password for your new operating system and set your time and date. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
9. Restart to switch between operating systems. Once you install two or more operating systems on your computer, you will see a menu asking which operating system you want to load when you boot your PC. Restart your computer to switch between operating systems.

Tips

• If you are installing multiple versions of Windows, it is generally recommended to install the older version first.
• It is easiest to install a new operating system on a new computer as there is little to backup / reinstall.However, some new computers that come with operating systems installed do not contain all the necessary drivers. You want to make sure you have the required drivers before installing a new operating system.
• Some operating systems can coexist on the same partition, others cannot. Check its documentation or create a separate partition for each operating system.

Warnings

• It is highly recommended that you back up your files before installing a second operating system.
• Make sure you really want to use both operating systems before installing them.

Necessities

• A USB flash drive or installation disc for a second operating system.
• A computer with enough hard disk space to install a second operating system.