Install Linux on a quad system using VHDEX Follow the steps carefully for a successful setup.
Install Linux on a quad system using VHDEX Follow the steps carefully for a successful setup.
This sounds unusual but I understand your reasons. You want to run multiple OSes from your laptop—Win Server 16, Win 10, Win 7 32bit and Ubuntu. So far you've installed the server and fixed a few Bluetooth issues, creating a VHDX that boots as an option. The problem is with Win 7 32bit on UEFI; the VHDX doesn't start. Enabling legacy ROMs makes it appear in the boot menu, but it won't boot normally. I'm suggesting you try GRUB 2, as it might help. From what I've heard, you could boot Win 7 and Ubuntu via GRUB and then chainload to the server and Windows 10. It's a new area for me, so I'm seeking guidance. Also, I'm unsure how to make a bootable Ubuntu VHDX from your server 16. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I've never tried this but I suppose it's possible. Here is everything you need to know about grub, good luck.
Set up Ubuntu and have it install Grub into the MBR/EUFI area. While installing, it should collect all previous Windows OS versions and include them in the boot options. For backup, prepare a bootable rescue disk now, just in case. Your choice of rescue tool is fine—my suggestion is SysrescueCD.
It seems you're setting up in a virtual environment. I thought you were expecting a direct installation on physical hardware. You might want to verify if Ubuntu offers a compatible virtual disk you can use directly, or convert it to your preferred format. Alternatively, consider using an app store image if available.
I'm not trying to install a VM. My server from 2016 was installed normally via a UEFI installation. After that, I created a dynamically allocated VHDX, burned Windows 10 into it, and made it bootable. Now when I restart the PC, I see two boot options: Win Server and Windows 10. I made a 32-bit MBR VHDX that appears in the boot menu but doesn't boot automatically. I think I should switch to Ubuntu and use GRUB for installation. I'm unsure if Windows has a way to send boot files to a VHDX for Linux installation. I've watched some videos about this, one was confusing and another in Russian. It's nice that each OS only uses the space it needs on my disk without extra partitions.
This project remains appealing to me. The setup time isn't a concern. After it's ready, I'll create a mirrored drive for backup purposes.
No, installing Windows 7 with GPT would not be the right approach.