Windows 10: How to change boot options permanently (Win 10 not being default)?

I am trying to have my computer boot Linux by default, from an external hard drive, while my internal drive has Windows 10 on it. Unfortunately I cannot get it to work: Windows 10 boots automatically at every restart and cold start.

Steps I've taken so far:
The boot order I want is set and saved in BIOS. There's no uEFI on my computer.
Windows 10 fast startup option is disabled. I also disabled the hibernation option just in case.

Still, I can only get Linux to boot by going into BIOS every time and selecting the (already selected) external hard drive again. When I then try to mount the internal (Win 10) disk from within Linux, I get an error saying it cannot be mounted because Windows 10 is still using it.

Any ideas how to solve this and give full boot control back to BIOS?

:)

 

Permanent default changes in windows 10

Original Title: Permanent default changes.

I change default settings for wi-fi , touch pad and some programs. When 10 goes into sleep mode or restarts, the defaults are reset to the factory defaults. How can I permanently change the defaults to how I set them.

Thank you.

 

Win 10 login and dual option

After the upgrade to win 10 every boot shows a screen with the option to go to win 10 or recovery. How do I get this to go straight to win 10 without stopping at this login option page. Is this a setting option that I can set to avoid this page at login.
Even though it defaults to win 10, I would like to avoid this page.

**Post moved by the moderator to the appropriate forum category.**

 

Hey Kinimod,

Have a look HERE. (However I just noted you want to boot from an external drive, so I'm not sure if this is applicable)

 

Hi b1rd, thanks but those instructions are for Vista. Windows 10 doesn't seem to have those configuration options.

 

I just now found the below article, but again, I'm not sure if it works with externals. This one, however, does indicate Win-10 though. (From this site too).
Operating System to Run at Startup - Choose Default in Windows 10

 

Thanks, those are useful settings. However, all of the described approaches show Windows 10 as the only OS option to me. Actually this makes sense because Windows can't read disks or partitions that are formatted for Linux (ext4 file system). So I think the OS needs to be chosen before Windows takes control of the boot process. This is what my BIOS settings are supposed to do, but it seems Windows still gets in there because somehow it's not completely shut down, despite the settings I described above. Anyone have more ideas?

 

1. In Windows 10, turn off fast startup using the power options in the control panel.
2. Under Windows 10, install EasyBCD and edit the boot configuration to reflect your preferences.

 

1. As I said, fast startup is already turned off.
2. We are talking about basic computer functionality. There must be a way to do this without buying a third-party tool.

 

You can download and use EasyBCD for free as long as it's for personal use. EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies

 

Sorry - I missed that in your OP you did say fast startup and hibernation were disabled.
As for using third-party tools, the "community edition" of EasyBCD is free. It's a versatile tool worth having, I'd give it a try.

 

The problem is with FastStartup disabled, it still depends on HOW you shut down Win10. If you select Restart, it ignores the FastStartup setting and hibernates, anyway. You must select Shut Down.

 

I have no understanding on booting with external and internal hard drives at the same time.
So, I cannot be sure if this will apply...............................
In the search bar, type msconfig > press Enter > click Boot tab at the top > top box should have win 10 and Linux listed. Yes ?
if yes, click the Linux > click set as default > under Timeout, set the time to 30 > OK when done.

Is this method applicable to you ?

 

If you disable hibernation in your power profile, you're saying that it will hibernate anyway?

 

Mark, I get the same behavior on restart and shutdown.