Ubuntu Dualboot

Warning: Please make sure you have made a backup of all the data you do not want to loose.

If you haven't checked out the Dualboot preinstall checks, go back and go through them.

Please make sure you have a backup of any data you do not want to lose. We are providing the instructions as they are, and we are not responsible for any data loss that might occur. Use at your own risk.

This guide will walk you through how to install Ubuntu as dual boot, alongside your existing Windows OS.

Step 1 (Preparation)

Before starting, download Ubuntu Desktop LTS 22.04 from https://ubuntu.com/#download or get it directly from here. LTS stands for Long Term Support, so this system will be supported for at least the next 5 years without an upgrade to the next version.

You'll get an ISO file, which is a disk image. You need to flash this to a USB drive, using an imager tool. The Raspberry Pi foundation keeps an up-to-date list of imagers for Windows, however, we recommend Etcher. Rufus is another good ISO burner.

In Etcher:

  • Select your ISO file
  • Select your USB drive (plug it in!)
  • Then flash!

Etcher

Step 2 (Boot)

To boot into the live installation media, plug your USB into your computer/laptop, and reboot - you should be able to boot off it with no problems.

Once boot has finished, you should be presented with the installer!

Installer

Click "Try Ubuntu" and play around with the system. Make sure everything works (keyboard, trackpad). Otherwise, go direct to "Install Ubuntu".

If you click "Try Ubuntu", you can find the installer later by clicking the icon on the desktop:

Start Installer

Step 3 (Installation)

Select your language

Installer Language

Select your keyboard layout

The auto-detect keyboard should walk you through finding out exactly what layout you have if you're not sure.

Installer Keyboard

Connect to the internet

Choose the wifi you want to connect to:

Wifi

If you're on campus it's recommended to setup Eduroam now.

Select software

In most cases you want a "Normal installation" with all the utilities - however, if you're working with less disk space, or want to manually install only the tools you want later, then go with a "Minimal installation".

If you have an internet connection, then select "Download updates" - it makes the install process a little longer, but ensures that everything will be properly up to date.

The "Install third-party software" is slightly more complex. In most cases, you should tick it, and attempt an install - if something breaks and doesn't work, for issues related to drivers, then you can try again, disabling this step, and instead trying to install the drivers and codecs after the install is fully complete.

Remember to configure secure boot. When you reboot after installing, you will need this password to enrol your key.

Installer Software

Choose installation type

Be careful at this step! After you click "Install Now" the install process will begin!

For a dual boot install, choose install alongside. Click continue.

Installer Type

Then, choose how much space to allocate Ubuntu. As a minimum, Ubuntu should have at least 30GB.

The installation will start.

Select your timezone

Installer Location

Setup your account

You need to pick:

  • Your name (used in the display manager to greet you, etc)
  • Your computer's name (the hostname used on networks, pick something unique and recognizable)
  • Your username (used to login, appears in shell prompts, etc)
  • Your password (standard password guidelines apply, if you want something easy to remember and secure, try diceware)

Installer Account

Wait!

Now just wait for the installer to complete!

Installer Wait

Once it's completed, follow the prompts to shutdown, remove the installation media, and restart your computer. When you startup, you should be booted into Ubuntu!

Neofetch

Now head over to the Post Installation guide to update your system and install some useful software.