Dual Boot Pop OS and Windows 10: Easy Step-by-Step Guide
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Downloading Pop OS ISO
- Creating a Bootable USB Drive with Rufus
- Shrinking the Local Disk
- Disabling Secure Boot in BIOS
- Entering the Pop OS Installation
- Custom Partition Setup in GParted
- Completing the Pop OS Installation
- Setting Pop OS as the Default Boot Option
- Adding Windows 10 to the Dual Boot Menu
- Restarting and Testing the Dual Boot Menu
- Conclusion
Dual Booting Pop OS and Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction
Are you interested in running both Pop OS and Windows 10 on your computer? This guide will walk you through the process of dual booting these two operating systems using the default system debut menu instead of installing Grub. By following the steps outlined in this article, you'll be able to enjoy the benefits of both operating systems on your machine. Let's get started!
Step 1: Downloading Pop OS ISO
To begin, you'll need to download the Pop OS ISO file from the official website. Open your web browser and search for Pop OS. Once you're on their website, locate the appropriate ISO file based on your graphics card. If you have an NVIDIA card, choose the NVIDIA version for compatibility. Download the ISO file and proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Creating a Bootable USB Drive with Rufus
In order to install Pop OS, you'll need to create a bootable USB drive. To do this, download Rufus from its official website. Insert a USB drive with a minimum capacity of 8GB and make sure to back up any important data. Open Rufus and select the Pop OS ISO file you downloaded earlier. Click on "Start" to begin the process. This may take some time, so be patient.
Step 3: Shrinking the Local Disk
Once Rufus has finished creating the bootable USB drive, close the program and right-click on the Start menu. Select "Disk Management" and choose your local disk. Right-click on it and select "Shrink Volume." Allocate at least 30GB for the Pop OS installation.
Step 4: Disabling Secure Boot in BIOS
To ensure a smooth dual boot experience, you'll need to disable Secure Boot in your computer's BIOS. Restart your computer and press the F2 key to enter the BIOS menu. Head to the Security tab and disable Secure Boot. Depending on your BIOS, you may also need to set up an administration password. Save your changes by pressing F10.
Step 5: Entering the Pop OS Installation
While your computer is starting up, press either the F12 or Esc key to enter the boot menu. Select the USB option to initiate the Pop OS installation process. Choose your desired language and keyboard layout in this step. It's crucial to pay attention and select the "Custom" option.
Step 6: Custom Partition Setup in GParted
Click on "Modify Partitions" to access GParted, a partition editor. Right-click on the free space and select "New" to create a FAT32 partition. Next, right-click on the remaining free space and create an ext4 partition. Once completed, click on "Apply" to save the changes.
Step 7: Completing the Pop OS Installation
The Pop OS installation will now begin. The duration of this process may vary, so please be patient. Once the installation is completed, restart your computer.
Step 8: Setting Pop OS as the Default Boot Option
Enter the BIOS menu again by restarting your computer and accessing the boot menu by pressing either F12 or Esc. Set the first boot priority to Pop OS and save changes by pressing F10. Your computer should now automatically boot into Pop OS.
Step 9: Adding Windows 10 to the Dual Boot Menu
To make the dual boot menu appear and add Windows 10 as an option, open the terminal and follow the commands provided in the description box below. The commands will vary depending on your system. Make sure to note down the EFI system partition for Windows 10.
Step 10: Restarting and Testing the Dual Boot Menu
After completing the necessary commands, restart your computer and check if the boot menu appears. It should now give you the option to choose between operating systems. Test the dual boot menu by booting into Pop OS.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully set up a dual boot configuration with Pop OS and Windows 10. Now you can enjoy the benefits of both operating systems on a single machine. If you found this guide helpful, consider subscribing to our channel for more useful tutorials. Happy computing!
Highlights
- Dual boot Pop OS and Windows 10 without installing Grub
- Use default system debut menu for easy boot selection
- Download Pop OS ISO file from the official website
- Create a bootable USB drive using Rufus
- Shrink the local disk to allocate space for Pop OS
- Disable Secure Boot in the computer's BIOS
- Enter Pop OS installation and choose the custom partition setup
- Complete the installation and set Pop OS as the default boot option
- Add Windows 10 to the dual boot menu using terminal commands
- Test the dual boot menu by restarting the computer
FAQ
Q: Can I dual boot Pop OS with other versions of Windows?
A: Yes, you can dual boot Pop OS with Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 as well.
Q: Is it possible to uninstall Pop OS and return to using only Windows?
A: Yes, you can remove Pop OS and revert to Windows-only by formatting the Pop OS partition.
Q: What happens if I encounter any issues during the installation process?
A: If you encounter any issues, it's recommended to seek assistance from the Pop OS community forums or their support team.
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