Score:0

Can I dual boot Ubuntu and Windows to run both operating systems simultaneously?

in flag

I'm a new forum user and new to Linux.

I have 2 1TB HDDs in an older Dell Optiplex 790. Windows 10 Pro currently boots from hdd0.

I also have multiple displays: one from the VGA port (display 1) and the other from the DisplayPort (display 2).

What I'd like to do is install Ubuntu on hdd1, BUT have both Windows and Ubuntu boot at the same time, with Windows on hdd0 on display 1 and Ubuntu on hdd1 on display 2.

Is this possible? If so, can you explain how to do it? I am new to using Linux.

heynnema avatar
ru flag
No, you can't run things that way. However, you can create a virtual Ubuntu installation using **VirtualBox** under Windows, and then you **can** run both at the same time. See https://www.virtualbox.org/ or go to the Windows app store.
Jeff avatar
mx flag
If you want to run Ubuntu and Windows simultaneously, install VirtualBox on one or the other. Then, if you have an ISO image for the one without VirtualBox, you can *technically* run them simultaneously. That's basically what @heynnema said.
Score:3
cn flag

Dual-boot simply won't get you there. A computer operating system expects to have complete control over hardware -- they are not designed to share. You cannot dual-boot two OS simultaneously.

The only way to have multiple OS run simultaneously is for one to be a Virtual Machine (VM) Host and the others to be VM Guests.

  • Allocation of HDD and displays and resources is done by the Host OS, and the simplest way is to use the settings in the Host VM application.

  • You DON'T need a separate disk, because the VM application will create a Virtual HDD for each Guest, housed in a file on the Host.

Advice: Install a VM Application on your current OS.

jpjones55 avatar
in flag
Thanks for that advice. I will use it. Now my question is, even if I don't need a second drive, I have one being shipped to me as we speak. I would be able to use that 2nd drive as a guest (or part of it) and install ubuntu on that, correct? Thanks, JP
user535733 avatar
cn flag
No. See the second bullet point. Both HDDs belong to the Host OS. If you want a disk-Virtual Drive for Ubuntu that happens to be located on that second drive, that's entirely your choice...but that design limits you needlessly. Advice: Stick to the VM Application defaults and the Ubuntu defaults until you have some experience. Consider using that second HDD for backups.
jpjones55 avatar
in flag
Copy that. Hey, you guys are the experts here and I'm the newbie (FNG). I will follow your advice and I appreciate it too.
jpjones55 avatar
in flag
One more question about this. About how much space should be required when I create the virtual guest for Ubuntu?
user535733 avatar
cn flag
The VM application will handle that for you. Expect 25-40GB. It's a file on the host, not a partition, not a drive. The file can use more space if it needs. If you don't have enough space on the Host, then stop. Fix that problem first.
jpjones55 avatar
in flag
oh, ok. before i download virtualbox, have you had any experience with Microsoft's Hyper-V? it's built in to windows 10 pro.
user535733 avatar
cn flag
Not me. Others do.
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