You're starting with Linux and want to use both Windows 10 side by side.
You're starting with Linux and want to use both Windows 10 side by side.
Hi everyone, I'm exploring Linux for the first time but have limited experience. My closest attempt was setting up a server on a Raspberry Pi, and I'm opting for a KDE-based Manjaro distro to ease my learning. I don't want to switch back to Windows if needed. I tried dual booting with Linux Mint earlier and ended up bricking my PC. I'm curious about running both OSes simultaneously for live swap, similar to what someone showed me on a Mac that could toggle between macOS and Windows. Is this feasible with Manjaro and Windows 10? With 8GB RAM and an 8-core processor, I have enough resources. If not, which bootloader would be safest? Also, I've heard conflicts between Windows and Linux on the same drive, but is that really a thing or just a myth? Thanks in advance! ~LazyChaz
I've worked with virtual machines before, but I'd prefer to run Linux directly on the hardware. This way, I can become comfortable with Linux without relying on Windows. Thanks for your feedback!
This guide explains how to configure a dual-boot setup using a 2TB HDD for media storage. Keeping it in NTFS allows access from both operating systems, while switching to ext4 restricts visibility to Windows users only. An alternative is creating separate partitions—NTFS for Windows and ext4 for Manjaro—to better suit your needs. The recommended approach might involve running a VM on Windows and using a virtual machine for Manjaro, as suggested by your friend.
Thank you for sharing all this details—I'll make sure to use it for your installation.
The straightforward method involves using a popular beginner-friendly distribution with an easy installer. Of course, Ubuntu in all its versions comes to mind. Just insert your bootable USB, navigate to the wizard, and follow the simple steps. At some point it will prompt you about what you wish to do. Simply type "install along windows 10" and adjust the partition size if needed (unless it splits your drive unevenly, which I think is unlikely). You’ll then install the GRUB bootloader. During startup, a small screen will appear where you can choose the operating system you want to boot from. Just remember: There have been past issues with Windows 10 updates affecting GRUB. I’ve discussed this before—specifically, the Windows 1511 update broke GRUB. Some users claimed the 1607 update removed the Linux partition, though I couldn’t confirm that. My experience was smooth. The alternative for dual booting is dedicating a separate drive for Linux. You can then pick the bootable drive in BIOS/UEFI. However, this needs an additional drive, which you probably don’t have.
If you're using Manjaro on your PC, this guide will help you navigate Bash. You won't need to rely solely on the terminal, though learning its basics is always useful in Linux.