When you take more than than ane operating system (Bone) on your computer, you lot can reboot from i into the other. This allows you to use the best awarding for the job at hand.  What are some of the reasons you might want to accept multiple operating systems on 1 computer? Each Bone has its own advantages and uses.

If yous use whatsoever of the programs listed beneath, you will want to have a version of Windows running on your computer even if yous adopt and use Linux for other functions. This article will help y'all dual boot Linux Mint and Windows on one PC.

Windows vs Linux Programs

Non all Windows and apps run on Linux such as:

  • Outlook
  • Final Cut Pro
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • 7-Naught
  • Become-To-Meeting
  • Microsoft Office
  • Dreamweaver

In some instances, Linux offers a workaround called Vino (Windows emulator). However, it is often unreliable, buggy, and doesn't ever work.

Game developers can choose to employ Linux or Windows. xc% of game buyers prefer to apply Windows because there are more than games adult for Windows.

Windows 7 vs Windows 10

Why might you lot desire to take two versions of Windows available on your calculator?

Upgrading to the latest version of the Windows OS might seem obvious. However, there are many differences betwixt Windows vii and Windows 10 that might cause yous to desire to take both installed on your computer.

Windows Media Center (WMC)

Users of Windows seven enjoy the Windows Media Center. Microsoft did release an updated version of WMC but is not included in Windows ten.

Gaming and Compatibility

Popular applications such as Google Chrome, Stream, Photoshop, and other mainstream apps volition keep to work correctly in Windows x.

Yet, in that location are some programs, proprietary in-house software, and 3rd-political party apps that work meliorate on Windows vii, including software for point-of-sale management and printing mailing labels.

Windows 10 doesn't include free Microsoft games such as Chess Titans, Minesweeper, and Solitaire without ads running on them. If you like to play these games without getting interrupted by advertisements, y'all will need both Windows 7 and Windows 10 on your reckoner.

Multiple Operating Systems on Your Computer

Although almost computers come with one operating system, yous tin can install more than 1 OS on a single machine. Switch between different operating systems when y'all boot your computer and select the 1 you desire to use from the menu provided.

The only brake you accept in how many systems yous kick on your estimator is the amount of storage space available, and the fourth dimension it will take you to prepare it upwardly.

This procedure is called multi-booting. When you install 2 OSs, information technology'south called dual-booting and this is described beneath.

How To Gear up a Dual-Boot Organisation

Earlier you get started:

  • Back up your information to an external drive in case something goes wrong
  • Make sure y'all have a recovery of the live deejay for Windows
  • In instance your boot fails, accept a kicking repair disk available

Install Windows Start

Windows doesn't have a boot menu and does not look for other operating systems on your calculator before loading. When installed, Windows will overwrite any boot sequence yous might already accept installed.

On the other hand, Linux Mint will starting time look to run into if you have other operating systems loaded on your reckoner. It will build a carte du jour where you can choose which organisation you want to kick.

The following steps will bear witness you how to dual boot Linux Mint where Windows has already been installed.

Create a Bootable Drive For Linux

First, download the Linux ISO (disk prototype) from the website. Choose whatever mirror, preferably one that is closest to your country. Then download the file for an installer tool such every bit Universal USB Installer to create a Live USB from the ISO yous merely downloaded.

You now have both the ISO and the software to burn the ISO to the USB. Plug in your USB and run Universal USB Installer. Select Linux Mint for the distribution.

Browse to the ISO. It can commonly be found in your downloads file. Then cull the USB drive. It will have a few minutes to burn your ISO to the USB.

Create a Space for Linux Mint

Gear up your deejay past making a new sectionalization. You tin either carve up an existing partition or create a new one.

To create a new division, you can use a third-political party app or a disk direction tool such equally Paragon Partition Director.

Booting From Windows 10

  • From the start bill of fare, type sectionalization to bring up the Disk Management utility.
  • The screenshot in a higher place shows 237.37 GB on the C drive. To create some infinite to install Linux, shrink the C bulldoze by right-clicking on information technology.
  • Windows will suggest how much of the available infinite to shrink. How much space you lot allocate will depend upon how much infinite you have on your calculator.
  • After you lot select the amount of infinite, click Shrink. You volition now have a new partitioning where yous tin can install Linux.

Reboot Your Computer

  • Plug the live disk or USB into your computer and restart it.
  • Press the F12, F1, or F10 part primal while information technology is booting to go to the boot menu (which key will vary depending upon your reckoner.)
  • Cull the option to kick from USB or Removable Media.

Start The Installation

When your arrangement boots into the Alive USB, double-click on the Install Linux Mint icon from the desktop.

Y'all will be asked to select your linguistic communication, select a keyboard layout, so prompted to install third-party software.

Doing this will ensure that all the software that is required for any proprietary hardware you lot might accept, such as multimedia codecs, volition piece of work.

Choose Installation Blazon

In the next pace, you lot will exist asked to choose the type of installation.

  • Don't select Erase deejay and install Linux Mint. This will destroy everything else on your hard drive and install merely Mint.
  • Choose Install Linux Mint alongside Windows Kicking Manager. The next step is to select how much infinite you desire to allocate for Windows and Linux Mint.
  • Yous tin drag the middle bar in either direction to determine or change the corporeality of space for both. And then click Install At present.
  • A warning will pop upwards, letting you know your system will make some terminal changes. Since yous take already backed up the data on your hard drive, you are safe to Continue.
  • Another pop upwards will ask for confirmation. Click Continue.
  • The installation volition exist processing in the groundwork while you see a global map asking you to place and set your location and time zone. Next click Continue.
  • Fill in the form fields with your name, the computer'south proper noun, username, and your countersign twice.
  • If you tick off Log in Automatically, it means your organization will boot directly into the desktop. It'due south better to choose Require my countersign to log in.
  • If you desire, you tin check off Encrypt my home folder to protect your data from anyone who doesn't have your password.
  • To continue, click Keep.
  • While the installation is processing, you will see a slideshow. When the installation is complete, yous will be asked if you want to Go on Testing (continue using the test surround) or Restart Now.

Examination To Meet If Dual Boot Is Working

  • Choose Restart Now. You will encounter the bodily kick card on the screen.
  • The first pick is Linux Mint, and it will be the default. If you want to boot into Windows, use the downward arrow to select Windows kick manager.
  • To test the Linux Mint install, click on information technology to see if information technology is working. You should see the Linux Mint login screen.
  • Put in your password and run into the Welcome to Linux Mint screen.
  • Choose your settings such as Organization Snapshots, Driver Manager and Multimedia Codecs.

For more details on how to customize a distro and other aspects of it, scout Linux Mint 19.1 "Tessa" Cinnamon Edition Review.

Testing Windows

Shut downwards your estimator and restart. Choose Windows from the kick carte. If the Windows login screen loads, log in to brand sure your desktop and information are nonetheless there.

Setting upwards a dual kick with Linux Mint and Windows 10 is simple. If you want to add Ubuntu or another version of Windows, use the aforementioned process outlined above.

Install Windows first, then install Linux Mint. If you don't take enough space on your hard drive, then use the selection to reallocate infinite in 1 direction or the other.