Want to run Linux Mint alongside Windows on your PC? Dual-booting gives you the best of both worlds—Linux for speed, privacy, and development, and Windows for compatibility with mainstream software and games. Here’s how to set up your system to dual boot Linux Mint and Windows safely.
What You’ll Need
- A Windows PC (Windows 10 or 11 works fine)
- A USB flash drive (at least 4GB)
- A backup of your important files (always a good idea)
- Linux Mint ISO and a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB
Step 1: Backup Your Files
Before making any system changes, back up your data. Dual booting is safe when done correctly, but things can go wrong. Use an external drive or cloud storage.
Step 2: Create a Bootable Linux Mint USB
- Download the Linux Mint ISO from linuxmint.com.
- Plug in your USB drive.
- Open Rufus (on Windows), select your USB device, then choose the Linux Mint ISO.
- Click Start to create the bootable USB.
Step 3: Free Up Space for Linux
- On Windows, open Disk Management (
Win + X→ Disk Management). - Right-click your main partition (usually C:) and select Shrink Volume.
- Shrink it by at least 20GB (40GB or more is better).
- Don’t create a new volume from the unallocated space. Linux will handle it.
Step 4: Boot From USB
- Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (usually
F2,F12,DEL, orESC—varies by manufacturer). - Change boot order to prioritize USB.
- Save and reboot with your USB plugged in.
- You’ll see the Linux Mint boot menu—choose Start Linux Mint.
Step 5: Start the Installation
Once Linux Mint loads:
- Double-click Install Linux Mint on the desktop.
- Choose your language and keyboard layout.
- When asked about installation type, choose Install Linux Mint alongside Windows Boot Manager.
- If that option isn’t available, choose Something else and manually partition the free space.
- Assign:
- A root partition (
/) - Optional: a swap partition (same size as your RAM, or skip if you have 8GB+ RAM)
- A root partition (
- Follow the prompts to complete installation.
Step 6: Reboot and Choose Your OS
After installation:
- Remove the USB drive.
- Reboot your PC.
- You’ll see the GRUB boot menu. Choose either Linux Mint or Windows.
Troubleshooting Tips
- No boot menu? Enter BIOS and check boot order. Make sure secure boot is off.
- Boots straight into Windows? You may need to manually select your Linux bootloader from BIOS or repair GRUB.
Final Thoughts
Dual booting Linux Mint with Windows gives you flexibility without sacrificing functionality. You get a fast, secure Linux desktop while keeping access to Windows apps when needed.
Take your time with each step, and if you’re ever unsure, there are plenty of forums and communities out there that can help—including Linux Mint Forums.
Got stuck or need help with a specific step? Leave a comment below and I’ll try to help.
Leave a Reply