How to Dual Boot Fedora with Windows 10

Edited 3 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Dual booting involves installing two operating systems on the same computer. This allows users to choose which operating system (OS) they want to use when the computer starts up. In this guide, we will explain how to set up a system in a dual boot configuration with Windows 10 and Fedora Linux. Dual booting can be especially useful for individuals who want to take advantage of the strengths of both operating systems. Windows 10 is great for gaming and many commercial software, while Fedora shines in development and open-source software.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the installation process, make sure that you have the following:

• A computer running Windows 10.
• A blank USB drive with at least 8 GB capacity.
• Fedora Workstation ISO image downloaded from the official Fedora website.
• Rufus or any other USB bootable drive creation tool.
• Keep a backup of important data on Windows so that there is no need to restore anything after installation.

Step 1: Creating Space for Fedora

Dual booting requires free space on the hard disk where Fedora will be installed. Often, the first step is to shrink the Windows partition. Here's how you can do it:

1. Right-click the Start button and select "Disk Management."
2. In Disk Management, locate the partition that is labeled 'C:' or something similar, indicating the Windows partition.
3. Right-click the partition and select "Shrink Volume".
4. Enter the amount of space you want to shrink. This will determine how much space Fedora will take up. Generally, 20 GB or more is recommended.
5. Click "Shrink" and wait for the process to complete.

Step 2: Create a Fedora USB bootable drive

Now, you need to create a bootable USB drive that will allow you to install Fedora:

1. Plug your USB drive into your computer.
2. Open Rufus or your chosen USB creation tool.
3. Select the USB drive under "Devices."
4. Under “Boot Selection,” click “Select” and choose the Fedora ISO you downloaded.
5. If your hard drive is GPT partitioned make sure the "Partition Scheme" is set to GPT. Otherwise, choose MBR.
6. Click "Start," then wait for the process to complete.

Step 3: Installing Fedora

Time to install Fedora:

1. Keep your USB connected and restart the computer.
2. As it begins to boot, press the key to enter the BIOS or boot menu setup. This is usually F2, F10, F12, or DEL. Look for the on-screen message to confirm which key to press.
3. Once in the BIOS setup, make sure the USB drive is set as the first boot option.
4. Save the changes and restart; your system should now boot into the Fedora Live USB.
5. Once Fedora loads, click "Install to hard drive."
6. Choose your language and other localization settings, then proceed.
7. In the disk partitioning step, select "Custom" to configure the partitions manually, or "Automatic" may be sufficient if you are unsure and don't mind losing other data.
8. You should see unallocated space from the earlier shrink operation. Choose to create the partition there.
9. Create at least one root (/) partition and one swap partition. Optionally, create a /home partition for user files. The root partition must be ext4.
10. Continue the installation until you reach the software selection page. You can choose Fedora Workstation as the default option, or any other option you like.
11. Continue with the installation. When complete, reboot your computer.

Step 4: Booting with the new dual system

After both operating systems are installed, you now have a dual-boot setup. Whenever you turn on your computer, you'll see a menu called GRUB (GRand Unified Bootloader). From here, you can choose either Fedora or Windows to boot:

• Fedora will usually be highlighted by default. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to switch options.
• If you want to use Windows, select it from the GRUB menu and press Enter.
• If you’re happy to stay on Fedora, simply press Enter when Fedora is highlighted.

Configuring the default OS to boot, editing boot entries, or changing the boot order in GRUB may require some additional changes. These can be done using Fedora's terminal or graphic tools when logged into Fedora.

Troubleshooting

Installing Fedora and setting up a dual-boot system is generally a straightforward process, but it can be fraught with quirks or problems. Here are some common troubleshooting tips:

• If Windows is not showing up on the GRUB menu, boot into Fedora and open the terminal. Run the following command:

sudo update-grub

• This will detect Windows and add it to the boot menu.
• If you see error messages about "Secure Boot," try disabling Secure Boot from the BIOS settings. Fedora supports Secure Boot, but complications may arise depending on your machine's implementation.
• In cases where the bootable USB drive doesn't work, try recreating it using another method or a USB creation tool, such as Etcher.
• If you are unable to access the Windows 10 partition from Fedora, make sure you haven’t made any accidental changes that might have formatted or altered the Windows drive during the partitioning stage.

Completion of setup

By following these instructions, you should now have a fully functional dual-boot system with Fedora and Windows 10. Dual booting can boost your productivity by taking advantage of the best features of both operating systems. Fedora gives you a stable, cutting-edge environment that's perfect for development and open-source software enthusiasts, while Windows 10 ensures compatibility with a wide range of commercial software.

This setup is optimal for learning, testing, and daily use, providing flexibility without the need for virtual machines that can be resource-intensive. Remember, maintaining backups and ensuring data security should always be a priority, especially when managing multiple operating systems on the same hardware.

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