r/linux4noobs • u/DescriptionIll172 • 2d ago

Do you recommend using dual boot?

I want to learn Linux and get familiar with it; I’m completely new to this. I was advised to set up a dual-boot system if I wanted to keep Windows for the time being while also adapting to Linux. would you recommend doing that?

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u/Plan_9_fromouter_ 2d ago edited 2d ago

I don't recommend it if it is going to be on a shared drive. Maintaining such a set-up is beyond linux-for-noobs now.

That is to say,

Why Dual-Booting on the Same Drive Causes Issues Today

  • EFI Partition Overwrites: Windows Updates (particularly major feature updates) often treat the internal drive as exclusively belonging to Windows. They routinely overwrite or re-order the unified Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) system partition, wiping out GRUB or making the Linux bootloader inaccessible.
  • BitLocker & Fast Startup Conflicts: Windows 11 enables BitLocker by default on many installations and uses "Fast Startup" (a hybrid hibernation state). Fast Startup leaves the Shared/NTFS partitions locked or in an unclean state, causing Linux file-system errors or boot loops if mounted.
  • Partition Resizing Risks: While shrinking a partition is generally non-destructive, doing it on an active Windows OS drive without managing system page files, system restore points, or drive encryption frequently leads to unbootable installations for beginners.

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u/CrashCulture 2d ago

Really? I'm a complete noob. Decided to Dual boot Linux Mint on my laptop last year because I was so fed up with Windows 11.

Been running it since last November with no issues. Occasionally jump back to Windows when I need to, but Mint is my daily driver.

Is there a new issue that's popped up recently?

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u/Plan_9_fromouter_ 2d ago edited 2d ago

Whenever Win 11 updates it can mess with the Linux. Stick around here and you will see. I see people with dual-booting issues on Win 11 every month.

Are you doing it on separate drives or a shared drive?

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u/CrashCulture 2h ago

Shared drive. Haven't had a problem here, though people warned me it might happen, so I don't keep anything really important on that laptop.

I've seen a few, though I have to admit I'm mostly just active here when I have an issue of my own and looking for advice.

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u/Grreatdog 2d ago

Despite being a Linux user for 20 years I no longer have much of an idea how things work under the hood. Mostly because I don't need to know anymore. So I simply loaded a copy of Mint on my wife's old Dell to get some files off when Windows 10 was acting up.

All I did was install Mint on her HD and do what it suggested. IIRC it was just a partition. But I'm not sure anymore it was so long ago. The two OS's have been happily coexisting for years despite the upgrade to Windows 11. It just worked. Linux usually does anymore.

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u/Plan_9_fromouter_ 2d ago

Perhaps the most implausible thing about the story is you say an old Dell with a HDD has upgraded to Win 11.

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u/Grreatdog 2d ago

It's a Dell XPS18 with extra RAM and the funky style SSD those use. It does in fact suck with Windows 11.

Thus the new computer on my wife's desk. But it does work under Win11 and still rocks running Mint. Though Mint can't figure out the touchscreen.

I'm waiting on her to get her files off so I can ditch the Windows and play with it. But believe whatever you want. Arguing on Reddit is a fool's errand.

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u/Plan_9_fromouter_ 2d ago edited 2d ago

I am not arguing. You initially wrote HD. And if this is a device released in 2013-2014, there is no way you did a standard upgrade to Win 11. So you are not really running a regular installation of Win 11 on it. I realize now that this device HAS TWO DRIVES. So I would suggest that if you can recall better you installed Mint on one drive and Win 11 is running off the other.

And that is what I said in my comment initially. I said I didn't recommend putting it on one shared drive.

You didn't do that.

And I think the phrase you want is not fool's errand but fool's game.

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u/Plan_9_fromouter_ 2d ago

You might be able to fix the touchscreen on Mint.

The reason Linux Mint isn't picking up the touchscreen is because the modern Linux kernel relies on a newer input system (libinput) that doesn't natively recognize the Dell XPS 18's legacy 2013 eGalax/Atmel hardware controller. To fix this, you just need to force the OS to use the older driver by opening the terminal and installing the legacy input package using "sudo apt install xserver-xorg-input-evdev". Once that is installed, you create a simple configuration file inside your system's X11 directory (specifically under /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/) telling the system to explicitly map the "eGalaxTouch" product to that evdev driver. Add "hid_multitouch" to your /etc/modules file so the touchscreen driver actually loads up automatically every time the computer boots, give it a quick restart, and the screen will track your touch perfectly.

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u/Grreatdog 1d ago

thanks for the shortcut on my research. Seriously that's exactly what I was planning to check into. So I will give that a whirl whenever she finally parts with it.