Windows 10: Dual boot Windows with Linux

Yep, this is one of the problem which using the old legacy BIOS is more preferable so you can separate the 2 Boot Managers. If there's an update/upgrade on Windows side, will not break Linux and vice versa.

 

Hi there
That's good

But pushing the VM thing again you can run a VM in UEFI mode even if your Host machine is BIOS only -- so ideal for testing - even on old machines. These days the "Virtual BIOS" in virtual machine software has a huge amount of flexibilty as well as options in the Virtual Machines configuration file.

Makes it easy if you want to use the VM on different computers for example without the hassle of re-installing the OS again -- you can have the SAME VM (data disks etc) whether the HOST is Windows or Linux.

Cheers
jimbo

 

Both Win 10 & Ubuntu had been installed but both Ubuntu partitions now show 100% free (which is my goal). However the boot loader remains and still points to Ubuntu as default but it will not launch (naturally). Without knowing whose boot loader it is, how can it be removed since there is now only one OS (Win 10) on the "BIOS" (NOT UEFI) machine ?

Update - a post suggested first deleting both Ubuntu partitions before resolving the boot loader issue. However after deleting the 2 partitions and rebooting (expecting to see Win as an option) a "Grub rescue" prompt appeared. Since i don't speak Grub and since repeated bootings would not make it go away, the Macrium Reflect "rescue disk" was booted. Besides restoring backed up images, the rescue disk supports fixing boot problems - which it does very well. The boot loader has disappeared completely which was my goal. Macrium Reflect (including freebie product) is SUPER !! It "rescued" me twice recently.

But after deleting both Ubuntu parts free space appeared to the RIGHT of the Win part which should have allowed expanding it but it did not - no reason given. Any ideas ?

 

Use MiniTool Partition Wizard free to extend the Windows partition:
Best Free Partition Manager for Windows | MiniTool Partition Free

 

Having just gone thru that install my recommendation (confirmed by another poster) is to use Oracle's Virtual Box in Windows. Guest OSes can be loaded as "virtual machines" and are easily accessed. The dual boot "loader" can create serious problems that are avoided by using Virtual Box instead.

BB

 

VM's are cool for testing stuff only, for real world apps. dual is the way to go.

Dual with Linux is simple .. Grub (or specifically Burg) is better than the bland powder-blue Windows boot menu.

Where would I put GRUB for a dual boot? - Windows 10 Forums

 

Hi Commander; Thanx for the suggestion. The tool works well for me (and the price is right).

BB