Installing Linux alongside Windows
By Tom Nonmacher
Welcome to our latest blog post! Today, we'll be discussing an interesting topic that's been a recurrent question among our users - "How do I install Linux alongside Windows?" This is particularly important for those who want to explore the functionalities of Linux without completely abandoning the familiarity and convenience of their Windows system. So, if you're among those looking to dip your toes into the world of Linux, you've come to the right place.
Before we delve into the installation process, let's discuss a little about what it means to run Linux alongside Windows. This process, often referred to as dual-booting, allows you to install Linux on the same computer where you have Windows installed. This means you can choose which operating system to boot into each time you start your computer. This can be particularly useful if you want to use Linux for certain tasks, but still need to use Windows for others.
Before you begin the installation process, it's important to back up your data. While the process of dual-booting is generally safe, there's always a small risk of data loss due to unforeseen complications. It's always better to be safe than sorry, so take the time to back up any important files before proceeding. You'll also need to make sure you have enough free space on your hard drive for the new operating system. As a general rule, you should have at least 20GB of free space for a basic Linux installation.
The next step is to create a bootable USB drive for the Linux distribution you want to install. There are many different Linux distributions, or "distros", to choose from, but some of the most popular ones include Ubuntu, Fedora, and Mint. After you've downloaded the ISO file for your chosen Linux distro, you can use a tool like Rufus or Etcher to create a bootable USB drive. This drive will be used to install Linux on your computer.
Once you've created your bootable USB drive, you're ready to start the installation process. Restart your computer and boot from the USB drive. This will typically involve pressing a certain key, such as F12 or F2, during the startup process. Once you've booted from the USB drive, you should see the installation screen for your chosen Linux distro. During the installation process, you'll be asked how you want to install Linux. Choose the option to install it alongside Windows.
After the installation is complete, you'll be able to choose which operating system to use each time you start your computer. This is typically done through a boot menu that appears during the startup process. If you have any issues during the installation process, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team. We're always here to help you with your computer needs. Happy dual-booting!