Guide to Installing Ubuntu Alongside Windows 10, 8, 7 UEFI and GPT

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Installing Ubuntu alongside Windows is a straightforward method that helps many users become familiar with this open-source operating system, especially IT students or those who enjoy exploring new technologies while still being able to use Windows. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to install Ubuntu alongside Windows 10, 8, 7 UEFI and GPT for your reference.

Windows is currently the most popular operating system on computers and laptops, offering a vast array of applications, games, and software. However, if you want to install Ubuntu for work or study purposes without giving up Windows due to certain Ubuntu applications not meeting your needs, you can install Ubuntu alongside Windows to use both operating systems on one computer. This article, provided by Mytour, will share how to install Ubuntu alongside Windows 10, 8, 7 UEFI and GPT to meet your usage needs.

For those who only want to experience this open-source operating system without making significant changes to their computers, you can refer to additional guides on installing Ubuntu in VMWare.

Guide to Installing Ubuntu Alongside Windows 10, 8, 7 UEFI and GPT

Requirements:

- USB with a capacity of 2GB or more
- Rufus USB Boot software, Download Rufus here
- Latest Ubuntu installation ISO file: Download Ubuntu Desktop here

1. Create Ubuntu Installation Boot USB

Step 1: To create a Ubuntu Bootable USB, first download Rufus software to your computer using the provided link.

Step 2: Insert the USB into your computer and launch the Rufus software. Click on the drive icon to browse for the Ubuntu ISO file you downloaded earlier, then press Start to integrate the Ubuntu installer into the USB drive.

Note: If your computer's hard drive follows the old MBR standard, leave all settings unchanged. If your computer's hard drive follows the GPT standard, select GPT Partition Scheme for UEFI Computer under the Partition scheme and target system type section.

2. Prepare a partition for Ubuntu on the hard drive

To install Ubuntu alongside Windows 10, 8, 7 with UEFI and GPT, we need to prepare a minimum of 10 GB of free space to store Ubuntu's system data. Therefore, this partition must be separate from other partitions. To create the partition, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press the Windows + R key combination and enter the command diskmgmt.msc, then press Enter or OK

Step 2: The Disk Management window appears. Select the hard drive you want to change the capacity to create free space (here it is drive E), right-click and choose Shrink Volume.

Step 3: Enter the size of the free space in the Enter the amount of space to shrink in MB field and click Shrink. Here I've set it to 15000 MB, approximately 15 GB.

And you will have the partition for installing Ubuntu similar to the image below

3. Installing Ubuntu alongside Windows

Step 1: Insert the Boot USB you created earlier into the computer and restart the computer. During the restart process, press the F9, F12, F8, or other shortcut keys to enter Boot Options and select Boot from USB. You can refer to the detailed instructions on accessing Boot Options and BIOS for various computer models that we have shared earlier.

Step 2: The Ubuntu installation screen appears. Choose Install Ubuntu or Try Ubuntu without installing if you want to try it out.

Step 3: The installation interface appears, select the language you want to install, you can choose Vietnamese. Here I select English. Press Continue to proceed.

Step 4: Next, you will have 2 options

Download updates while installing: Update Ubuntu during installation (if you have internet).
Install this third-party software: Install additional support software from third parties.

Here Mytour advises you to uncheck all boxes to speed up the installation process. Then press Continue to proceed to the next step.

Step 5: Here, select Something else and press Continue.

Note: Do not select other options, as you may erase all data on your computer.

Install Ubuntu alongside Windows 10: Install alongside Windows 10, if Windows 10 gets corrupted, Ubuntu will also fail with Windows 10.
Erase disk and install Ubuntu: Erase Windows 10 and install Ubuntu on the partition of the previous Windows 10.

Step 6: Next, we will create swap, root, and home partitions for Ubuntu. Select the free space item (the empty partition we just created) and click on the + icon as shown below.

Step 7: A new window appears, here you need to create a Swap partition for Ubuntu, which is used to support RAM when RAM is insufficient, Ubuntu requires this partition.

Example:
If RAM is 2GB, then SWAP is 4GB - 4000MB.
If RAM is 4GB, then SWAP is 8GB - 8000MB.

In Use as, select swap area. Adjust the RAM size and press OK to create the Swap partition.

Step 8: Continue clicking on the + icon to create an Ext4 partition.

Here you select:
Type for the new partition: Primary
Use as: Ext4 journaling file system
Mount point: /

Step 9: Click on the + icon again to create another Ext4 partition.

Here you select:
Type for the new partition: Primary
Use as: Ext4 journaling file system
Mount point: /home

Additionally, if your computer uses the GPT disk standard, in the Device for boot loader installation section, select the option with Windows Boot Manager written.

Step 10: Finally, press Install Now to start the installation. In the Where are you? section, select the time zone as Ho Chi Minh. Press Continue to proceed.

Step 11: Choose the language for the keyboard and press Continue.

Step 12: Enter your information into the empty fields such as name, password, and press Continue.

The installation process will proceed, please be patient and wait for about 10 to 15 minutes.

After completing the installation, restart your computer and the Dual-Boot Ubuntu with Windows screen will appear. You can use the arrow keys to navigate to the operating system you want to boot into and press Enter. Choose Ubuntu to enter Ubuntu or Windows Boot Manager to access Windows.

So, the above is a guide to install Ubuntu alongside Windows 10, 8, 7 UEFI and GPT that readers can refer to and follow. If you encounter any issues accessing Windows or Ubuntu during the process, feel free to leave feedback below this article for discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to install Ubuntu alongside Windows on my computer?

To install Ubuntu alongside Windows, first create a bootable USB using Rufus and download the Ubuntu ISO. Then, prepare at least 10 GB of free space on your hard drive. Insert the USB, restart your computer, and select the USB in the boot options. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Ubuntu alongside Windows, ensuring you select the correct partition options to avoid data loss.

Do I need a separate partition for Ubuntu when installing alongside Windows?

Yes, a separate partition is required for Ubuntu when installing alongside Windows. You should allocate a minimum of 10 GB of free space on your hard drive for Ubuntu's system data. This helps ensure that both operating systems can operate without interference.

Is it necessary to download updates while installing Ubuntu next to Windows?

No, it is not necessary to download updates while installing Ubuntu. In fact, it is often recommended to uncheck the option to speed up the installation process. You can always update Ubuntu after installation when you have a stable internet connection.

What do I do if I encounter issues booting into Ubuntu after installation?

If you encounter boot issues with Ubuntu after installation, you may need to access the boot options to select the correct operating system. Additionally, troubleshooting may involve checking the boot loader settings or using recovery tools provided by Ubuntu to repair the installation.

Can I try Ubuntu without installing it on my computer?

Yes, you can try Ubuntu without installing it by selecting the 'Try Ubuntu' option when the installation screen appears. This allows you to explore the operating system and its features without making any permanent changes to your computer.

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