Adding Linux to Windows

I installed Ubuntu on my win7 machine. It uses NTFS, so I didnt need to repartition anything. Short of that, just drop a second drive in the computer for the Linux stuff and keep everything separate.

The Ubuntu install created a Windows Boot manager entry, so when the PC is booted, you have 10 second to decide which one, after which it defaults to loading windows. That is all customizable BTW

If you go with Ubuntu it will take care of all your partitioning (resizing, etc) for you and setup the GRUB bootloader. That will allow you to choose which OS you want to use when you boot.

I wouldn't use the Windows Boot Manager, use GRUB and let Linux use it's default format of EXT4, not NTFS.

RunnerFL said:

If you go with Ubuntu it will take care of all your partitioning (resizing, etc) for you and setup the GRUB bootloader. That will allow you to choose which OS you want to use when you boot.

I wouldn't use the Windows Boot Manager, use GRUB and let Linux use it's default format of EXT4, not NTFS.

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No problem with NTFS and EXT4 on the same drive (Different partitions obviously)? Ubuntu is probably what I'll choose. VERY new to Linux.

No issues with different file systems.

Just in case something happens with the resize, I'd still back up your windows data.

dpeters11 said:

No issues with different file systems.

Just in case something happens with the resize, I'd still back up your windows data.

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I actually don't keep anything major on the Windows drive. Everything is on my NAS in RAID 1 lol

kevinturcotte said:

No problem with NTFS and EXT4 on the same drive (Different partitions obviously)? Ubuntu is probably what I'll choose. VERY new to Linux.

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No, no problem at all. I have a dual boot laptop that has Windows 7 NTFS and Ubuntu Linux EXT4 Encrypted. Once you have Windows installed then go for Ubuntu and it will walk you through the whole setup and install process. It will even determine how to resize your windows partition and make sure a chkdsk is run on the Windows partition on the next boot into windows.