We explain how you can install Windows and Linux on the same computer. It's a fairly straightforward process and takes a few minutes to complete.
Choose a Linux distribution and create a bootable USB
Linux is an operating system that is divided into multiple distributions, i.e. multiple versions of the same operating system but with different characteristics. If you want to learn more about this topic, we invite you to read the following article which explains what all the versions of the Linux system are and their characteristics. There are some with less RAM and other more modern versions. Most are free and can be dual-booted with any version of Windows.
Once you have downloaded the version of Linux you have chosen to your computer, you need to create a boot disk to install Linux.
Since Linux weighs next to nothing, it fits on a basic 2GB pendrive so you don't have any restrictions when installing. We recommend that you use Ubuntu GNOME as that's what this tutorial is based on. You can download it here.
Boot your computer from the USB drive
When you turn on your computer, a black screen with white letters will appear. At the bottom of the screen a box will appear with different options, each one has an associated key, such as F2, F12 o Elimina.
Depending on your computer, the startup window varies. This screen is where you will enter the BIOS, i.e. where you will choose to have your PC run the operating system installed on the USB instead of booting Windows normally.
It is recommended to press the above-mentioned keys more than once until a window appears with the connected USB devices. When you find the USB whose name matches the pendrive where did you save Linux, press Enter.
Proceed with the Linux installation
The first thing that will appear are the language options. Select Spanish and, depending on the distribution, the next window that appears varies. One of these options may appear:
- Try Linux without installing - start a temporary session where you can install Linux from there.
- Install Linux
- Other options
You can choose to install it now or try it first. We advise you to try before installing it in so you can clearly see what the operating system is.
Dual boot Windows and Linux
When installing Linux, you need to select different options as they appear in each step. The installer walks you through the whole process.
After configuring the keyboard, you need to configure the Wi-Fi, although the option you prefer not to connect to a Wi-Fi network at this time will be selected by default.
In the next step you will choose how you want the installation to be, normal installation is recommended, but you can choose whichever one you prefer. Then you will have the option to install Ubuntu along with Windows and the system will automatically install it.
The next time you turn on your computer, two options will appear, if you want to enter with Windows or Linux.
What can you do if you have Linux and want to install Windows?
This is not that simple, but one way to do this would be to install a boot with Windows and Linux starting with Linux, it would be to create a partition and install Windows there, but requiring this format NTFS, you may have problems installing and you should also reinstall GRUB with a rescue disk
Ti we recommend installing windows and installing linux from there as it is simpler and less risky by following the steps already mentioned above. We hope it was helpful and if you want to know more about Linux, remember to read other articles like What are Linux log files and what are they for? , as well as we also recommend how to create directories and subdirectories in Linux with the "mkdir" command.
