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Why is Ubuntu Installer showing different partitions to Windows?

br flag

I am running into a fatal error when trying to dual-boot and install Ubuntu with Windows 11 using flash drive (see my separate post here - but essentially: I am trying to dual-boot and am trying to install Ubuntu 20.4.3 (desktop) from flash drive using Rufus. Running Windows 11 looking too add Ubuntu. Partition scheme GPT, Target System UEFI). I am wondering if it could be connected to the fact that Ubuntu installer and Windows are showing different partitions. I'm a newbie, but I originally shrunk the disc volume to make space for Ubuntu. Which is currently showing up in Windows as expected:

Windows Disk Space

However, Ubuntu installer partitions look a bit of a mess (sorry for the terrible image not sure how to get screen shot across from the live USB installer):

Ubuntu Partition Tool

Could it be the reason I am getting a fatal grub error when trying to reinstall Ubuntu?

raj avatar
cn flag
raj
What did you use to shrink the Windows partition? Did you use the GParted tool on Ubuntu live image? (that's the recommended way to do it). How were you able to create more than 4 primary partitions with GPT partitioning scheme? (your screenshot shows 5 partitions on `/dev/nvme0n1` and none of them is extended partition). Something's definitely wrong here as sum of sizes of your `p3` and `p5` partitions is 510,9 GB, while your disk is 500 GB as shown by Windows (476.92*1.048576). Correct this with a proper partition management tool like GParted and/or `fdisk`.
br flag
@raj thanks. So I just shrunk the volume through Windows Disk Management (suggested in a few tutorials I found). Then I selected 'boot alongside Windows' option during the install that worked before the error- I was following this tutorial: https://itsfoss.com/create-live-usb-of-ubuntu-in-windows/. I've no idea how it's managed to create those partitions. Thanks for the tip, but my question would be how do I use that fix when Windows is not showing those partitions and I can only boot 'Try Ubuntu' not install(?)
raj avatar
cn flag
raj
Use these tools in "Try Ubuntu" live session. That's the way they should be used (modifying your partitions while running a system booted off from one of those partitions is not a very good idea :))
br flag
Understood, thanks. But why would one be different from the other? If Windows atm is the only OS installed, and not showing these partitions, how is it Ubuntu installer can be showing them? And that I have to fix it through that?
raj avatar
cn flag
raj
There is only one partition Windows doesn't show, it is the 16 MB "reserved" partition `/dev/nvme0n1p2`. This partition isn't shown by Windows GUI tool even on Windows-only machines. However, Windows command line tool `diskpart` does show it. As for the `p3` and `p5` partitions, they are shown by both Windows and Linux, but with different sizes (and probably wrong size in case of Linux). Something is wrong in the partition table, therefore it needs fixing - that's why I recommend to use more advanced partition tools to analyze what's wrong and fix it. I can't know it in advance.
oldfred avatar
cn flag
Windows hides lots of partitions as users do not need to know about them. Linux shows them all. Always best to use Windows tools for Windows & Linux tools for Linux or shrink Windows with Windows tools. Is Windows encrypted? You may need to turn bitlocker off. Dual boot with Bitlocker works https://askubuntu.com/questions/1135654/how-to-install-ubuntu-alongside-bitlocker-encrypted-windows10 & https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/ubuntu-installation-on-computers-running-windows-and-bitlocker-turned-on/15338licen And Windows does not correctly see Linux partitions.
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