How to install ubuntu 18.04 LTS along side windows (dual-boot linux)?

How to install or dual boot ubuntu 18.04 with windows 10

Ubuntu is a free and open source operating system and Linux distribution based on Debian. Ubuntu is offered in three official editions: Ubuntu Desktop for personal computers, Ubuntu Server for servers and the cloud, and Ubuntu Core for Internet of things devices. New releases of Ubuntu occur every six months, while long-term support (LTS) releases occur every two years.

For more info on ubuntu visit wiki or ubuntu website.

You may be installing linux for the first time or you've used different linux distributions. This tutorial will guide you through the installation process of dual booting ubuntu 18.04 windows 10.

This tutorial is divided into three section i.e. preparing system, installation of ubuntu and final section is not necessary for every one but can be useful to some.

Section 1: Preparation

This section will guide you through creation of partition for linux system and creating a bootable media for ubuntu 18.04.

Step 1: Downloading ubuntu 18.04 iso

To download ubuntu iso click here.

Step 2: Create bootable media

To create a bootable media you'll need a usb drive with minimum of 8gb space and rufus software for windows

1) Connect usb drive

2) Select ubuntu iso image

4) Is you get any download required dialog just click on yes.

4) Select "Write in ISO image mode" and click OK.

5) Click on "Start" and you'll be greeted with an warning message that the usb drive is to formatted. Just Click "OK"

6) Once downloading finishes the iso will be loaded to the usb drive. Now you'll be ready to move to next step.

Step 3: Shrinking the partion to create some unallocated space for linux system.

This is optional step if you want to dual boot with windows. You can skip this step if you are not planning to dual boot.

1) On windows 10, press windows+X then press k to go to disk management tool or right click on computer and select manage then in management console select disk management.

2) Right Click on partition that you want to shrink then select shrink.

3)Enter the value in mb that you want to shrink then click shrink.

4) You will see unallocated space like shown in picture. Now we are ready to move to second section.

Section 2: Installation

Before we begin installation we need to turn secure boot off from bios.

Secure boot is a security standard developed by members of the PC industry to help make sure that a device boots using only software that is trusted by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). When the PC starts, the firmware checks the signature of each piece of boot software, including UEFI firmware drivers (also known as Option ROMs), EFI applications, and the operating system. If the signatures are valid, the PC boots, and the firmware gives control to the operating system. For more information on secure boot click here

To turn off secure boot restart the pc and press f2 for laptops and del for desktop to boot into bios. It may defer for some system so please refer to instruction manual of you motherboard to boot into bios and turn off secure boot. Once in bios move to boot tab. There you'll find secure boot option. just disable it. Press f10 to save and restart.

Note: You need to set supervisor password inorder to enable the secure boot option in bios

Now lets get to installation of ubuntu

1) Connect you bootable media and restart your pc. Press f12 on laptop to start boot manager and the select usb disk as bootable media.

2) Then you'll be taken to screen asking you to try or install ubuntu. If you are using wifi for internet connectivity then click try ubuntu.

3) Now you be taken into ubuntu live enviroment.

4) Select  install ubuntu 18.04 LTS icon on desktop

5) Click on right top dropdown and connect to internet. Select language and keyboard layout.

6)  Check both options in Other options and click next. The third party install all proprietary software for you hardware.

7) Select the "Install Ubuntu alongside Windows Boot Manager" and click next to start the installation. You'll be prompted with the warning for formatting the partition. Select Yes and the installation will begin. This creates single partition containing all files. I'll recommend to follow the other step that is given below.
If you want clean installation then select erase disk and install Ubuntu.

8) If you haven't started installation then its good. I recommend to follow these steps. Select Something else and click "Install Now".

9) You'll be taken to gparted application where we'll create the partition for our linux system. As you can see the unallocated space from windows partition is listed as free space. Select the free space and click the + icon.

10) Select type "logical" and size same as your ram. And for use as select "swap" for the options. The swap partition is like a virtual memory and is recommended to be around same or 1.5 times the ram you have. Then select the free space and select type "primary" use as "ext4 journaling file" and mount point "/" and click "OK".

11) Once done Click on "Install Now".

12) Click on continue.

13) Select your location to setup time and click continue.

14) Enter the details and click continue.

15) Now the installation begin wait till it completes.

16) Once Done Reboot.

Section 3 is for those installation was successful but couldn't get to grub menu i.e. There is no ubuntu option in boot manager.

Section 3: Adding shimx64.efi to boot manager

1) Restart your pc and boot into bios.

2) Under security tab you'll find an option stating to select uefi file as trusted for executing -> select the hdd0 -> efi -> ubuntu -> shimx64.efi. You'll be prompted to provide a name. Enter name and press f10 to configuration.

Thank you for reading my post. Hope you liked it.