Dual boot: before you begin
Understand the storage decisions before sharing a computer with Windows.
Based on public documentation; not hardware-tested. Match the instructions to your version and hardware.
Make a recovery plan first
Section titled “Make a recovery plan first”Keep a separate backup of personal files and a way to reinstall or recover Windows. Save any encryption recovery information outside the computer. Confirm that you can actually read the backup.
This page is a preparation checklist. Use the official guide for the disk operations; device names and layouts are specific to your computer.
Check four things
Section titled “Check four things”- Which disk? Record its model and size, especially when two drives have similar capacities.
- Which space? Unallocated space is different from free space inside a Windows filesystem.
- Which encryption state? Review the current installer’s BitLocker requirements and finish any required decryption before installation.
- Which boot entry? Record the existing firmware boot entries before changing them.
The current official workflow uses Windows Disk Management to shrink a volume, then the installer’s Free space install option. Do not choose full-disk installation when keeping Windows on that disk.
Verify both systems
Section titled “Verify both systems”After installation, boot each system once. Confirm the expected files are present, then check that you can choose the other system again. A missing menu entry does not itself mean its files have been erased.
If the menu does not offer Windows, consult the official section about adding existing installations to Limine before attempting bootloader repairs.