Dual booting with Linux
Dual booting with Linux
Someone can clarify how installing Linux Ubuntu alongside Windows works during the setup process. The key is understanding whether you're using a dual-boot configuration or another method. For dual booting, it's important to choose the right partition layout and ensure both OSes have enough space. As for which OS to use, consider your needs: Ubuntu offers a fresh experience, while Windows provides familiarity. Advice can come from community forums or guides specific to your setup.
You need more details about the information you're seeking? I can guide you through installing Ubuntu if that's your goal. I've switched my primary desktop from dual booting Windows/Ubuntu to using Ubuntu as the main OS, with Windows running in a VM for specific applications. It required some effort, but I completed it in about a day—mainly due to the number of apps and the need to back up settings beforehand.
Set up Windows first, then add a Linux installation on a separate drive. When installing Linux, a GRUB loader will be generated, letting you choose the operating system at boot. From a performance standpoint, dual booting is better than running a virtual machine within another OS.
Consider whether dual-booting is essential for your needs. A virtual machine can often meet your requirements without the complexity of dual-booting.
I understand how to run Windows and Ubuntu together before. Now I just need to decide which one to install first—either with the current OS or in a manual partition setup. As for choosing Ubuntu over Windows, it’s usually because you want a different environment tailored to your needs, or you prefer its features and stability.
I aim to use Linux as my primary operating system because I plan to become a programmer one day.
Sure, just let the installer set up the partitions. If you're not sure, manual partitioning might be tricky.
I suggest using Linux as your primary operating system by installing only it. You truly gain deeper understanding when you depend entirely on it and tackle challenges directly. Of course, I get this especially if you're just beginning—knowing everything isn't realistic and you might need Windows for certain tasks, like gaming. But you'll still learn. Still, in my opinion, the optimal setup is to run the full OS on separate machines. I use a PC with only Windows (I often dual-booted) and Arch Linux on my old laptop as the sole OS. I study Computer Science and use my laptop daily for classes, programming (C++, Python, R), and modeling (UML, SQL). I’m not recommending buying a dedicated Linux machine, but since Linux usually performs well on older hardware—such as Lubuntu or Manjaro—I suggest getting a used or spare laptop to enjoy. That said, dual-booting lets you install both OSs in different partitions and pick one at startup via a menu (GRUB). This works automatically with any distro that supports GUI installation. By the way, which distribution are you considering?
Ubuntu 16.04 LTS is a great choice, thanks! Your plan sounds solid—keep your laptop running Windows because it handles games better, while upgrading to a full Ubuntu version would suit the older hardware.
I’m switching to Ubuntu as my primary operating system due to several factors, with the latest issue being a display driver conflict after the newest update... there’s just so much going on in Windows now that I can barely manage without constant adjustments just to make it work. I appreciate both Windows and Linux, though each has its drawbacks. I chose Ubuntu for its reliability, using Windows inside a VM for programs that don’t have a Linux alternative (that I’ve discovered so far) and relying on Windows only for those specific needs.
The biggest issue with Ubuntu right now is the inability to select network drives—like my NAS’s book database can’t be accessed because no network options appear. This might stem from my limited Linux experience, and I reached out for assistance but didn’t get a response. So I’m currently using Caliber in my Windows VM, which lets me pick up network addresses like \\192.168.200.78\media\caliber even when connected via VPN. My library remains accessible, which is fine.
Setting everything up took about an hour or two max, and since I only need a few Windows programs, I’m still getting comfortable with Linux. I recently reinstalled Ubuntu 16.04 and learned that Gparted lets you expand partitions as much as space allows, then rewrite the extended partition when the OS is active—this is pretty handy.