In this guide, I will demonstrate how to set up a dual-boot configuration between Ubuntu and Windows 11. The correct order of operations is essential: you should have Windows 11 installed first before attempting to install Ubuntu, as doing it in reverse can disrupt the booting order.
To begin, we need to create a bootable USB drive using an Ubuntu ISO file.
We will use a streamlined tool called balenaEtcher. Download the executable from their website and install it. Next, download the official Ubuntu ISO from ubuntu.com. Ensure you are on the official site; the file size is approximately 6 GB.
Open Etcher and select "Flash from file". Locate your downloaded Ubuntu ISO file. Then, select your target USB flash device and click "Flash". The process will take a few minutes to complete and verify.
Before installing, it is good practice to check your available storage space in Windows File Explorer to ensure you have enough capacity for the new partition.
To boot from the USB stick, we need to access the BIOS/UEFI. An easy way to do this directly from Windows without guessing the function keys is via the terminal. Right-click the Start menu and open Terminal (Admin). Run the following command:
shutdown -r -fw /t 0
The -r flag initiates a restart, -fw forces the system to boot into the firmware user interface (BIOS), and /t 0 sets the time delay to zero.
Once in the boot manager, select your USB drive (not the Windows Boot Manager). You will see the GRUB bootloader; select "Try or Install Ubuntu".
The system will load a live version of Ubuntu from the USB. Before installing, choose "Try Ubuntu". This allows you to verify that your internet connection (wired or Wi-Fi) and keyboard layout (e.g., specific characters for your language) are working correctly.
Launch the "Install Ubuntu" application from the desktop.
Select your language and keyboard layout. For the installation type, choose "Interactive installation". It is recommended to check the box to install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware.
When asked how you want to install Ubuntu, select "Install Ubuntu alongside Windows Boot Manager". This is the critical step for dual booting.
You will be presented with a slider that allows you to resize the partitions. Adjust the slider to allocate space for Ubuntu (e.g., 25 GB) based on your available free space.
Enter your name, computer name, username, and password. Select your timezone and review your choices before clicking "Install". Once the installation is complete, restart the computer.
After restarting, you will be greeted by the GRUB bootloader menu, which should now show options for both Ubuntu and Windows Boot Manager.
Select Ubuntu from the menu to ensure it boots correctly into the installed OS (not the live USB). Verify you can log in with your created credentials.
Restart the computer again. This time, select Windows Boot Manager from the GRUB menu. Windows should boot normally.
Inside Windows, you can right-click the Start menu and open Disk Management. You should see your original Windows partition alongside the new Ubuntu partition (showing as a healthy primary partition).