Dual-booting lets you install Linux alongside your existing Windows installation, choosing which one to load each time you switch on your PC. It's a popular way to properly test Linux with real everyday use, while keeping Windows available as a safety net. It does involve modifying your disk's partitions, so it's important to follow the right precautions.

Key takeaway: Dual-booting is a safe, reversible way to run both Windows and Linux on one PC, as long as you back up your data first and take care during the partitioning step.

Before you start: Back up all your important files to an external drive or cloud storage, and create a full Windows backup or system restore point before repartitioning your drive. Partitioning carries a real, if small, risk of data loss if something goes wrong or a step is rushed.

Before you begin: preparation

  1. Back up your files. Copy anything irreplaceable — documents, photos, and so on — to an external drive or cloud storage.
  2. Create a Windows restore point (search "Create a restore point" in the Start menu) as an extra safety net for your Windows installation itself.
  3. Check your available disk space in File Explorer. You'll want at least 20–30GB free for a comfortable Linux installation, ideally more.
  4. Check whether Secure Boot and Fast Startup are enabled. Most modern Linux distros support Secure Boot without changes, but it's worth being aware of; Fast Startup should be turned off (via Control Panel > Power Options) as it can interfere with dual-booting.
  5. Create your bootable Linux USB drive using Rufus or balenaEtcher, as covered in our separate USB creation guide.

Step 1: Shrink your Windows partition

  1. In Windows, search for and open "Create and format hard disk partitions".
  2. Right-click your main Windows partition (usually C:) and select "Shrink Volume".
  3. Enter the amount of space to free up for Linux, in megabytes (for example, 30000 for roughly 30GB), then click "Shrink".
  4. This creates "unallocated space" on your drive, which Linux's installer will use later — don't format or assign it a drive letter yourself.

Step 2: Boot from your Linux USB drive

  1. Restart your PC with the USB drive inserted, and enter the boot menu (commonly F12, F10, or Esc during startup).
  2. Select the USB drive, then choose "Try without installing" if offered, to explore first, or head straight to install.

Step 3: Install Linux alongside Windows

  1. Launch the installer (usually an icon on the live desktop labelled "Install [Distro Name]").
  2. When asked about installation type, most distros (including Linux Mint) offer an "Install alongside Windows Boot Manager" option — this is the simplest and safest route, and automatically uses the unallocated space you created earlier.
  3. Confirm the partition changes shown on screen match your expectations before proceeding.
  4. Follow the remaining prompts: set your time zone, keyboard layout, create a username and password, and confirm installation.
  5. Once complete, restart and remove the USB drive when prompted.

Step 4: Choosing your operating system at startup

After installation, your PC will show a menu called GRUB each time it starts, letting you choose between Linux and Windows. This appears for a few seconds before automatically booting the default option, and you can use the arrow keys to select the other one when you want it.

Tip: If GRUB doesn't appear and your PC boots straight into Windows, check your BIOS/UEFI boot order and ensure Secure Boot settings allow the Linux bootloader — most distros handle this automatically, but very locked-down UEFI configurations occasionally need a manual boot order change.

Frequently asked questions

Is dual-booting risky for my existing Windows files?
The shrinking and partitioning step carries a small real risk if interrupted or rushed, which is why a full backup beforehand is essential. Following the steps carefully and not skipping the backup makes it a well-tested, routine process.
Can I remove Linux later and get my space back?
Yes. You can delete the Linux partitions using Windows' disk management tool and extend your Windows partition back into the freed space, though you'll usually need to also restore the standard Windows bootloader (an extra step, easily looked up if needed).
Do I need to disable Secure Boot?
Usually not. Most current Linux distros, including Linux Mint and Ubuntu-based systems, support Secure Boot out of the box. It's only occasionally necessary to disable it for less common distros.

Related guides