Putting Linux and Windows on a single hard disk
BOOT POLISHING
When two systems share a single computer, a boot manager handles the prompts that determine which system to boot. We’ll show you several multiple boot scenarios and describe how to set up your system for dual booting Linux with Windows.
If you need applications such as Dreamweaver, Microsoft Office, or some modern games, and you don’t like the idea of using Wine or VMware, you may just have to resort to using a Windows system. And if you run your Windows system along with Linux on a dual boot PC, you need to set up your boot manager to choose which operating system to boot. Luckily, there is no need to purchase commercial software, as more or less any Linux distribution will give you the tools you need for a sucessful dual boot configuration. The Lilo boot manager, which used to be the principal Linux boot management system, has almost completely surrendered its boot monopoly to Grub (Grand Unified Bootloader) [1]. The Gnu/ HURD boot manager has many more features than the simpler Lilo manager. Besides filesystem support, Grub also has an integrated command line, which allow users to boot the installed operating systems even if the menu file is faulty or has been accidentally deleted.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
KDE Unleashes Plasma 6.5
The Plasma 6.5 desktop environment is now available with new features, improvements, and the usual bug fixes.
-
Xubuntu Site Possibly Hacked
It appears that the Xubuntu site was hacked and briefly served up a malicious ZIP file from its download page.
-
LMDE 7 Now Available
Linux Mint Debian Edition, version 7, has been officially released and is based on upstream Debian.
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Reaches EOL
Linux kernel 6.16 has reached its end of life, which means you'll need to upgrade to the next stable release, Linux kernel 6.17.
-
Amazon Ditches Android for a Linux-Based OS
Amazon has migrated from Android to the Linux-based Vega OS for its Fire TV.
-
Cairo Dock 3.6 Now Available for More Compositors
If you're a fan of third-party desktop docks, then the latest release of Cairo Dock with Wayland support is for you.
-
System76 Unleashes Pop!_OS 24.04 Beta
System76's first beta of Pop!_OS 24.04 is an impressive feat.
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 is Available
Linus Torvalds has announced that the latest kernel has been released with plenty of core improvements and even more hardware support.
-
Kali Linux 2025.3 Released with New Hacking Tools
If you're a Kali Linux fan, you'll be glad to know that the third release of this famous pen-testing distribution is now available with updates for key components.
-
Zorin OS 18 Beta Available for Testing
The latest release from the team behind Zorin OS is ready for public testing, and it includes plenty of improvements to make it more powerful, user-friendly, and productive.