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How to Install Ubuntu on Windows 10

Latest update on by Elena Keracheva .

Ubuntu is an open-source operating system (OS), based on Linux’ distribution Debian. Ubuntu is appreciated for its secure system, user-friendly interface, and low system requirements, among others. If you are tempted to try this OS, you are in the right place: this article discusses how to install Ubuntu on Windows 10 in dual boot. You can also follow the same steps in order to install Xubuntu or Linux Mint, or even on Windows 8.



Before You Start

If you want to install Ubuntu, first make sure you have more than one NTFS partitions (one of them consisting of Windows). If this is not the case, you have to create free space on the hard disk. You can create an unallocated space on the hard drive through the Windows Command-line.

  • Log to your Windows with the administrative account.
  • Right click on the Start Menu, then choose Command Prompt and Run as administrator.
  • Type diskmgmt.msc on the prompt to open the Disk Management Utility.
  • Right click on C:.
  • Select Shrink Volume.
  • In Enter the amount of space to shrink in MB we recommend to choose at least 20000MB/20GB. Next, select Shrink.

The unallocated space should now be created. Reboot your computer.

Create a Live Disk/USB

The first thing you need to do is to choose the Ubuntu version. Next, download the Desktop image and burn it to a disk. You can also create a bootable USB stick by using a software. Universal USB Installer is among the most famous programs to do that..

Boot to Live Disk/USB

Next, you have to place the disk in the drive or plug the USB into the computer. Once this is done, restart the computer. While the device is booting, press one of the following keys: F2, F10, or F12 - it depends on the manufacturer specifications. This will open the boot menu. You can now choose Boot from USB/Removable Media.

Booting may take some time but you should end up seeing the Ubuntu Boot Screen with different options on it. Choose Install Ubuntu, press Enter.


Partitioning

Now, you can choose your preferences, such as the language and the installation - we recommend to select Normal installation. Confirm your choices by clicking on Continue. Do not choose “Erase disk and install Ubuntu”.

Next, you will have to prepare the new partition for Ubuntu - Windows is already installed on the first one. When the Installation Type window appears, choose Something Else.


If you already had multiple partitions beforehand, you will need to delete a NTFS or an ext4 partition in order to create some free space: this will delete all the data from the chosen partition - do not choose the partition on which Windows is installed.

To do this, click on the location of your choice, and then on the - sign.

Root, Home, Swap

You will now have to create partitions for Root, Home, and swap. In order to do this, choose the free space and click on the + sign.

First, create the Root partition. Set the following settings:

  • Define at least 20000MB/20GB for the size.
  • Choose Primary for Type for the new partition.
  • Select Beginning of this space as Location for the new partition.
  • Set EXT4 journaling file system for the section Use as.
  • Set the Mount point as /.

You can create a swap space following the same steps but setting Use as: swap area. The size should be twice the size of your RAM.

Now you have to create the Home partition. Follow the same instructions as for Root but allocate the rest of the free space for it (this is where you will be downloading your files) and set Mount point: /home.

Click Install now. If you did not choose to create a swap partition, ignore the pop alert and press Continue. Accept the changes.

Finish

Now that this is done, select a location (the nearest city), pick a username and set a strong password. Press Continue.

At the end of the installation, you should restart your computer in order to completely finish the process.

Next time you start it, you will have the choice between booting Ubuntu or Windows. As Ubuntu is set by default, it will start automatically if you don’t choose within 10 seconds.
Images: Ubuntu/Edited screenshots from TecMint

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This document, titled « How to Install Ubuntu on Windows 10 », is available under the Creative Commons license. Any copy, reuse, or modification of the content should be sufficiently credited to CCM (ccm.net).

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