Believe it or not, it is possible install two operating systems on the same computer as long as your equipment complies with the necessary requirements for it. This means that you can turn your laptop or desktop computer into a dualboot.
This gives you the opportunity to have two operating systems completely different in the same team, which without a doubt will provide you excellent benefitsespecially if some of them have some kind of malfunction. In addition, this is a very simple process to carry out so you will not require advanced knowledge for it.
In this way, you will be able to have installed Windows and Mac, Windows and Linux or Mac and Linux on the same machine. For this, follow in detail everything that we will explain in this post so that you can turn your pc into a dualboot quickly and easily.
What are the minimum requirements that a computer must have to support two OS?
As already mentioned above, your computer must meet a series of requirements to be able to support both OS, since not all computers have the resources and capabilities to run both programs. It is important that the team not have more than five years of use, since otherwise the operation could be very slow.
According to all this, here we are going to endesign what are the main requirements that you must take into account when wanting turn the PC into a dualboot:
- It is important that you have the ISO files of the two operating systems that you want to install.
- You must have a USB drive with enough space to add the OS, it is recommended that it be 8GB or greater.
- You must have basic knowledge for access BIOS of your machine, normally done by pressing "ESC, F2, F12, among other keys", This is done when you turn on or restart the computer.
- Disable UEFI and Secure Boot, in the case that it is necessary otherwise it must be left activated.
What are the most important aspects to consider before choosing which operating systems to install?
One of the most complicated decisions at the moment of buy a computer is to choose with what operating system it is wanted, since depending on it it will be the operation of the equipment. In the case of wanting turn the PC into a dual-boot it's very similar to when you get a new machine, since in now you will have to choose a new SO to accompany the already present one.
So, here we are going to teach you What are the most important aspects to take into account when choosing which OS to install:
The availability of software and applications
Without a doubt this is one of the most important aspects to keep in mind, since they are the applications that allow to achieve a much more advanced operation in these equipments. It should be mentioned that between the three SO better known as it is Windows, Mac and Linux, there is a lot of difference at this point.
In the case of the Windows platform is the one the more programs it accepts on your system, which makes it much more versatile and a much broader experience can be achieved. Therefore, some of The softwares available for Windows are not found for Mac or Linux.
It is also important to mention that, in the case of Linux, they bet more than everything on free softwares, although there are also those of payment, the same goes for the microsoft systemwhere you can find a lot of both free and paid programs. Otherwise it happens with the mac, where you also get free softwares but the great Most are paid.
Finally, it is important to mention that both Apple as Microsoft have tried to offer a experience on all platformsas they are in laptops, desktops, tablet, smartphone, among other devices, something that has not yet it happens with linux.
The price of the operating system
In this case it should be mentioned that the Microsoft OS is not free, unless is updated by a previous version, in the case of the new computers with W10, alone OS usually costs around 135 euros for the Home version, While for The Pro version is around 280 euros. On the contrary, it happens with OS x and Linux, which are completely free.
In the case of Linux, has the tools and services to maintain a free server, otherwise it happens with the system of Apple and Microsoftwhich are available through a paid service. It is also important to note the cost of the hardware of each one of them, in the case of Apple usually has the highest price than the other two OS, as well as accessory costs of the team.
Privacy
Privacy is one of the most important aspects to keep in mind today, in this sense it is important to mention that in the case of Windows sends information on the use of their computers to Microsoft servers, so many times they end sending private information of its users. On the other hand, Manzana in this sense it is a lot most reserved, and it is so how he respects the privacy of each of his clients.
Another factor to take in account is advertising, this does not affect Ubuntu today, because due to the problems of the community all this He was removed, something that if it happens in Windows and that until today has been very criticized by his clients.
Support
This is a very important element for those professional people who make advanced use of each of these SO. In this case it is important to mention the following from each of them:
- Windows: In the case of Microsoft, has already made an announcement where he indicated that the end-of-life for W10 will be available for 10/14/2025.
- OS X: So far no specific information is available, where Apple has supported the last three versions of the OS.
- Linux: This will depend on the selected version and distribution Of the same. In the case of Ubuntu, every 6 months publishes an updated version of the software with a 9 month support.
Steps to create a dual-boot and have Windows and MacOS on the same computer
If you have a mac computer and you want to add Windows operating system in order to get more functionality and start use those apps available for said OSSo here we are going to explain how to do this procedure in a very simple and fast way.
It is important to mention that this procedure only valid for those Mac computers that have been manufactured from 2009 onwards, so that previously manufactured equipment will not be able to convert them to dualboot. In order to perform this procedure You will need to execute each of the steps that will be indicated below:
- To start you must get the copy of the Windows version what you want to install, once you have it you must create a usb drive where I know will install the Microsoft program and some of drivers for mac. Is usb drive must have at least one 8GB storage capacity.
- As a second step, it is essential that before start the process a backup of all important files and documents you have there. This will prevent you from losing information during the process.
- It is also important to use the function Boot Camp, which is included in the OS X, to access it you must enter "Command + Space and there you write Boot Camp."
- There an on-screen wizard will be displayed where all Windows installation files will be copied from DVD or ISO to USB drive where it will later be used for installation.
- In the case of Windows drivers you can download it from Manzana and you store them in the USB drive, in this way, they will be installed automatically once the installation is complete.
- Once all this is clear, you can start with this procedure. On the first screen you will be asked what you want to do, for this you will be offer different options either create an installation disc for W7 or higher or if you want to install W7 or higher. Here you can mark a single one of it or simply make both for what a more complete process is executed.
- In the next window you will find a route box and a browse button, here you must place the address where the ISO of the OS to install is located. You can also see the section of "Destination Unit" in this case it will be the USB, it must be found already inserted into the MAC.
- Note that the USB will be formatted, that is, all its content will be removed forever. So if you want keep such data it is recommended that you make a backup of said information.
- Once you click on "Continue" you will go to the start procedure of the file copy from ISO to USB drive, in this way everything will be created the automatic start system on the unit. Keep in mind that all of this can take a long time to run.
- When the previous step has been completed and created the USB with the Windows installer, a new option will appear for you Create a partition apart from the Macintosh system, for Windows. In the event that you have more hard drive, you can take advantage of install Windows on a secondary disk. However, in this case partition will be created.
- In the case of Windows operating system, it is recommended to use a partition of at least 30 GB, this will allow you to have some how many extra GB to add a few more softwares. Once everything is correct the next thing will be to select the option of "Install".
- Here will be held lto resizing and partitioning and the machine will reboot. When the same start automatically you will sent to Windows startupwhere can you get the normal installation procedure. That is to say, if before you have installed this OS on another computer, then you will have no problem to continue. In this case it is important that you check the box BootCamp and the format must be NTFS.
- The installation from now on will be carried out normally, in the case of boot camp installer will start together with the system after the first start, it will take care installing drivers or services that are needed. Once the last configuration of the Boot camp, it will be possible remove the USB and you can automatically start using Windows.
- Note that in the task bar of the Windows OS you will find the icon of Boot Camp Control Panel here you can select it if you want change the OS to use, either Mac or Windows.
- When all this has been done, the dual boot mac + windows. A way to enjoy both programs from the same computer.
Guide to install and configure a dual-boot to have Windows and Linux on the same PC
If you have a Windows PC and you want to turn it into a dual-boot in order to have both the W OS like LinuxSo here we are going to explain how you can perform this procedure in an easy and fast way. However, it is important that before starting this procedure meet the requirements that we mentioned earlier in the post, since these will be the ones that allow you to perform the installation correctly.
If they meet the requirements already mentioned, then the following is to start with the installation procedure for it follow these steps:
- The first thing will be create a USB boot disk, for this you can use different tools, one of the best known and most reliable is YUMI, it will allow you create different USB boot disks with multiple OSs. If you don't want to use this tool, you can also use others such as Rufus or Unetbootin for create the boot disks.
- The first thing will be to change the boot mode Boot mode from your pc to "Legacy". This will allow you to start with this procedure.
- If you have the version of W8, W8.1 or W10, the safest thing is that your team includes a UEFI BIOS with Secure Boot. You should also keep in mind that you should disable those options depending on the distribution to be installed, because if they are not deactivated, you can start the USB boot disk that was created earlier.
- To install a Linux distro on a Windows, the installer will allow you to decide if you want to make installation alongside Windows or if you want to use another disc. In this case you only have to choose the space that each one occupies.
- In case you already have Linux and you want to install Windows, so he Microsoft system installer will remove GRUB completely. This means that you will stay no boot options, which will prevent you from choose which system to start with. Therefore, the most recommended is install Linux on a PC that already has Windows previously installed.
- For install Windows or Linux Nowadays a very simple process must be carried out, so you don't need advanced knowledge for it, in this you only need create a USB boot disk which will be inserted in your PC, the same it boots from it and not from the computer's hard drive. here you just have to continue the instructions that are indicated on the screen through the installer.
- Once you have followed each of the instructions and the procedure is finished, everything will be ready for you to start using your machine with both operating systems.
Learn how to configure and install a double-boot with MacOS and Linux from scratch
If you have a MacOs computer and you want to add another operating system like Ubuntus, then you will be able to do it in a very simple way, for this you must use a virtualization software as it is "Virtual Box". He himself will allow you install additional OSs within another OS.
Thus, In this case we are going to explain step by step how to install Linux on a computer with OS X, for this follow these instructions:
- The first thing will be to download the software "VirtualBox" on your computer, once installed you must select the option of "New".
- Now you must put a name your new virtual machineYou must also make sure that the configuration you have is Ubuntu 64 bit, once verified, click on "Continue".
- In the new window that appears on the screen you must choose the amount of RAM what do you want to assign to Ubuntu your new OS, once this is done, select "Continue" to continue the procedure.
- When the screen that we show you in image you must create a virtual hard drive where are you going to install the Linux distribution.
- Here you must select the option of "VirtualBox or VDI disk image", and click "Continue".
- Now choose "Dynamic allocation" and again click on "Continue".
- Here you must give a name to the "VirtualBox disk image" If you want to do it, this procedure is not mandatory. Now with the slider that appears on the screen you must choose the amount of hard disk you want to give to the Linux distributionKeep in mind that the minimum amount you can select will be The most recommended is to give a minimum quantity of 8GB. Anyway, when choosing the option of "Dynamic allocation" This will take care of selecting the minimum quantity in case you select one less than recommended.
- In the new window that appears you must select the button "Start" or "Start".
- Now you must choose the folder icon so you can search for the right address.
- Here you must select the file ISO and then click on the button "Open".
- Then click on "Start".
- Here you will get different messages on screens to each of them you must close it by clicking on the "X".
- Now you must click on "Install Ubuntu".
- Here Ubuntu going to run a test to verify that your computer is capable of run that version correctly. Once the test is completed you must check the box "Download updates" and then select "continue".
- In the next window choose the option of "Erase Disk and Install Ubuntu".
- A new window will open where you must select the button "Continue".
- When prompted, you must enter your country's time zone.
- Once you have selected the language and the keyboard what do you want, click on "Continue" to continue the procedure.
- Fill in the form that appears on the screen with all the information they request there.
- In this step you will be charged the linux system which can take a while.
- Once this is completed, it will appear that installation is complete. Here you must choose the option of "Restart now" for changes to be made to the system.
- When the system reboots, Ubuntu It will ask you for some data which you must enter.
- Once you have entered the corresponding data, you will meet the Linux OS. It is important that you meet Internet connection So you can fully test the system. This way you can start enjoying both Linux like Mac from the same computer.
