Set up Linux initially, after that install Windows 11.
Set up Linux initially, after that install Windows 11.
Yes, it is feasible to set up Linux first and then build smaller partitions for Windows 11 using a dual-boot setup.
It's advisable to avoid this. Windows doesn't provide feedback about other operating systems installed and may overwrite the boot manager, making it tougher to reach Linux. Although GRUB is designed to recognize existing OSes and adapt accordingly, during setup you might encounter issues that require fixing the Linux bootloader so the selection menu appears correctly at startup. If you install Linux before Windows, you could need to perform a repair to restore proper OS choice options.
With Windows and Linux installed side by side, it's significantly simpler to set up Windows first and then add Linux. After installing Linux, you can reduce the Windows partitions to the desired size before installing Linux. Only shrink the Windows side when necessary, never touch the left side. Ensure you have sufficient space—typically at least 20% extra—and consider increasing it to up to 50% if the drive is large enough. Keep it untouched for about six months, then adjust partition sizes using GParted (a feature built into most Linux distributions).
Thank you for providing your insights. It’s encouraging to see such reports emerging. In recent years on modern EFI systems, the choice of which OS to install first doesn’t really matter much, as long as the setup is logical. I’ve handled this more often than I remember, though I still recommend starting with Windows for a smoother experience, just in case. The key takeaway is that partitioning ahead of time makes the process easier, without being a major obstacle if you’re familiar with the steps.