this post was submitted on 20 Oct 2025
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Best way to dual boot laptop - Linux and Windows (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 week ago by ReluctantMuskrat@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.world
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I'm looking to install Linux on our home laptop and see if I can convince my wife to migrate off Windows. Since I'm not sure there won't be times we need or want to boot back into Windows, I want to set it up so we can dual boot. The laptop only has a spot for one drive however so I can't use two drives and chose them with the bios. I know in the past Windows has been problematic with dual boot setups on a single drive, corrupting the boot drive following updates and what-not. I'd really like to avoid that if possible.

Any suggestions on how best to go about it, or something I should at least avoid because it's known to be problematic?

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[–] lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Don't dual boot Windows with anything. Windows will overwrite the bootloader; it's not a matter of "if", but "when".

Figure out what programs you need and if there are equivalents on Linux, or if the existing program has a version compatible with Linux (you'd be surprised).

Once you get that squared away, back everything up, blow Windows away, and install Linux. There are many flavors, but you honestly can't go wrong with Debian and its variants - my go-to is Linux Mint Debian Edition.

[–] Professorozone@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

What if I dual boot Linux with Windows 10, but I'm always offline with Windows 10. Will it still corrupt the Linux install?

[–] lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Offline? Couldn't tell you; I can only offer my anecdotal experience.

[–] Professorozone@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Blast! I was really hoping you knew. Thanks anyway.