Dual Boot Workstation – Windows 11 & Ubuntu 22.04
Step-by-step instructions for building a dual-boot workstation with Ubuntu Linux 22.04 & Microsoft Windows 11
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The workstation in my office that I use to develop code is on its last legs, so I’ve decided to put together a new one. This time, instead of just Linux, I’m building a dual-boot computer that will run both Ubuntu Linux 22.04 and Microsoft Windows 11.
I’m starting from scratch, with a “bare-bones” Intel NUC 11 that I’ve configured with two SSDs and memory, however, you can also use these instructions to modify an existing Windows 11 device. I’m installing both Windows and Linux onto the same SSD, but you can also use independent drives for each operating system if you prefer. And, if you wish, you could use a different distribution of Linux.
Dual-boot machines are not perfect, you can also elect to use virtual machines or WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), I’ll go over those options in the video.
Once I get the two operating systems installed, I’ll also create a shared drive that is visible to both Linux and Windows. Then I’ll demonstrate how you can configure your Arduino IDE to use the same shared location for storing sketches and libraries.
Here is the Table of Contents for today’s video:
00:00 – Introduction
02:43 – Dual-Boot Workstation
08:12 – Dual-Boot Alternatives
09:47 – Obtain Ubuntu & Windows
13:40 – Bootable USB Utilities
15:42 – Windows Licensing
19:58 – BIOS Settings
21:58 – Install Windows 11
26:20 – Prepare Windows for Linux
32:44 – Install Ubuntu 22.04
37:07 – Bootloader Choices
39:23 – Using Both Operating Systems
49:24 – Conclusion
Hopefully you will find the video and the associated article useful if you’re putting together a dual-boot system of your own.
ubuntu
i am facing a problem recently. could you do a video on merging diff HDD with Diff OS onto a single SSD
HDD1-MBR: 100MB (Unallocated), 97GB(Windows10),576MB(recoverypartion),200GB(General Data/storage Files)
HDD2-GPT: 476MB(EFI with status Active), 15.3 GB (LINUX SWAP),1.9GB (EXT4),131.4(EXT4)—Has Grub Loader
NEW-HDD3 is the NVME-SSD 512GB.
Challenge
1) Merge HDD1 & HDD2 => NEW-HDD3, without reinstalling OS
2) Use a Common Storage Drive for both OS
3) Edit EFI may be using DISKGENIUS/Minipart/easyUS.
Value to the Viewers
1) How to Merge Diff OS into a single SSD
2) Edit GRUB
3) Learn to Extend EFI with Manual Editing wherever required.
what do you use to backup the ubuntu drive?
Thank you Sir, You are doing a great job. God bless you
Bill, I am a big fan of your work and I have been considering installing Linux on my Windows 11 machine using WSL2 using hypervisor as discussed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clZCrVZH4Gg&t=184s. It appears to allow concurrent Win/Linux and avoiding both a VM and dual boot. Would you consider this a good alternative?
Thanks for your great work !
Could you please make videos on BLDC motor drive? Using FOC and trapezoidal and Sinusoidal
To be very honest, if you want to get Windows Updates, you will want a minimum of 128GB just for Windows and some very basic programs for Windows. If you have less then 128GB for Windows, you will run out of disk space very quickly, especially when doing updates.
Also, anything less than 8GB RAM with Windows will severely limit your performance. The "minimum" for Ubuntu gives a very usable system. The "minimum" for Windows will give you a barely functional system. Just something to keep in mind.
Also, Windows 10 may still be a better option for a lot of people, especially if they have a machine with a quite capable 7th gen or earlier Intel processor that will not natively run Win 11.
We need a kinematics lesson regarding robotic arm plz
So BCD data is boot control data data. Isn't that an unnecessary extra data, a bit like PIN number, ATM machine, PCB board or LCD display?
Another alternative is to use WSL. WSL provides a hypervisor that allows sharing of hardware assets with out the overhead of a VM. WSL is available to windows 10 and 11 systems. For a howto set up WSL with Unbutu see Dave's Garage at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clZCrVZH4Gg
I don't know how you do this. Every time I have a thought in my head to make my life easier, I come across your page and you're teaching the exact thing I've been thinking. I hope you don't have a bug in my apartment.
I love how you explain things. It makes your videos incredibly enjoyable. It also helps closeted nerds, like myself, realize their true potential.
Please make a video specifically for HC-05 and HC-06 bluetooth module …troubleshooting and diagnostics. pleeeeeez …you're one of the very few Youtube Teacher/Lecturer I trust.
Have you tried using LUKS to encrypt your linux partition? How well does GRUB and the Windows bootloaders work with it? Along that same line, have you tried using Bitloack and LUKS on their respective partitions?
I am looking at building my new development machine, similar to yours, but I have encrypted my linux partitions for many years.
Great detail as usuall, thank you.
I thought Windows 11 only ran on new systems with an UEFI Bios and a TPM Security module.
Windows 10 now needs at least 8 GB of ram to run reasonably fast.
Hi, I just want to point out that there is a thing called Ventoy. All you have to do is install and run the program for a few seconds then bam! You just have to copy how many ISOs you want on the drive and you’d have the option to choose OS from the startup. No need for multiple drives!
When I build my AI/ML workstation machine at the end of this year, I'll almost definitely be running Qubes OS. It takes the idea of isolating things via virtual machines, and turns that into something incredible, does it efficiently and impressively by essentially having the first OS you install not actually an OS, but a hypervisor. That talks to the bare metal components. For each type of activity, you can have a 'Qube' specialized for that, and set up for decent security for that application. It even has an in-between system to stop malicious USB media making its way to the important VMS. However, there are issues with getting modern vidcards working, according to the community. So, the easiest solution would be to dual-boot that OS with Windows, and definitely protect against the 'evil maid' attack.
Extremely comphrehensive Bill. Thank you for all the effort that it must have taken to research, script, shoot, edit and post.
One question: Did you replace Grub or edit it (or just leave it)?
Not that I'd ever miss an excuse to build a new pc, but if you peel the sticker off the fan you can probably get some oil into the (likely) sleave bearing and shut the fan up for awhile.
Once again a superb and very useful video, thanks a lot !
NUC Mini-PCs exist mainly with Intel processor, but sometimes with AMD processor, correct?
Thanks for the video! I have an old laptop which has been retired but I haven't brought myself to get rid of (first loves and all that). It runs Windows 7 and I was thinking about turning it into a home server to play private games with mates but wanted to run an OS which didn't bog down the PC so much, on account of its old hardware. Even though I won't be using Win11 or Ubuntu, the theory behind dual booting should be similar and the vid was really well explained. Good to know I have to disable some windows settings before loading up another OS on the machine.
Hope you're not disheartened by some of the comments down here, not everyone is an elitist! 😀
I am using WSL2 and now its support Linux gui apps
Dual boot? Now you're just showing off 🙂 Very nice indeed.
Using WSL myself as I require Windows for work. WSL doesn't have to be command line only. One way to get a GUI is to install xfce4 and xrdp and then use rdp to connect to the WSL machine.
Ahh, what a wonderful upload. Well deserving of my downvote because it has nothing to do with the purpose of this channel.
If I was interested in learning how to dual boot ANY OS, I would go to an IT related channel and find out in about 10 minutes, or I could always fall back on my extensive IT career.
What happened to building a robot platform together? This channel has devolved into click bait that never amounts to anything. What ever happened to "Build a real robot" back in 2019 (it's July 2022 now).
This is just a bunch of fluff and filler to harvest likes and upvotes for feeding you stale, moldy bread on free, fresh sandwich day.
I need a new computer for this one .I'm working with a windows 8.1 computer .
Thank you again for you hard work in producing another video, but in this case I am giving it a miss.
Windows 11 is privacy-hating bloatware and I personally see no reason why'd you ever dual boot it with an already far superior Ubuntu installation, even though I don't use Ubuntu but prefer Gentoo Linux.
I was fortunate in being able to rid myself of my Microsoft abuser when support for Windows 7 ended and good riddance to Microsoft.
But looking forward to the next video anyway!
Excellent video, very clear explanation
Hi Bill – great video. I leaned a lot about installing windows 11. What about a share on network drive (NAS) to share data between the two (and maybe other too) machines instead of an internal hard drive?
Windows 11 on a machine with those minimum requirements (1 GHz dual core CPU, 4GB RAM) will be fun… NOT!
Some great tips in there Bill–great video!
Problem with this is, if you have to re-install windoz, you will LOOSE your Linux Boot !!!
when your Software requieres "windows", why you don't speek to the softwareengeneer's: "i need Linux-Code, because i run Linux! Can i take the sources from you?" i don't understand such thing and meaning! So is "Windows" become the leader in OS's! Linux is miles bether than every Windows-Version or you take directly the big UNIX! (back to the roots: Netware… smile ;-). ..)
The Video is nice to see (great job done!), but i don't need Windows, especialy not win11! Win 11 is a big system-/ user-spy! (spy-ware includet!)
On my maschines i will be the only root, THE GOD and no one other! The "caling home" of MS and Aple is a big failure of them! But is it intresting someone? <dumb users say: "my system must run and i will not understand what's going on….." hmmm..??….>
Is it possible to make a home server with multiple computers connected and communicating? Sorry im new to this
Having multiple operating systems at hand is super useful. I`m mainly a Windows user, but having multiple VMs ready helped me a lot. Especially with all the different kinds of USB to Serial Chips / Drivers we use it can sometimes be a lifesaver to have a Linux and a very clean windows install at hand.
Why in the world would you choose windows 11?
Correct me if I'm wrong but Etcher will NOT build a Windows 10 or 11 ISO to usb when used on a Linux box. Shame but there you go.
I still think that you'd better run Linux and in case you really need a windows machine, hou run it on VirtualBox.
Is it possible to pick between GRUB and the Windows Boot Manager at will? I've been dual-booting for quite some time now but the bootloader is still a mystery to me lol
With a program on the USB pendrive called Ventoy you can load multiple iso/img files on it and boot from one usb pendrive and install whichever distro you want
Great content! Keep em coming!!!!
Awesome video tutorial! But as always, in jump the Windows naysayers. More proof that you can't please everyone and they can't resist proving that.
I've moved away from Ubuntu and any distros based on it. Debian is a much better choice.