Member Avatar for loidz123

How to configure dual boot OS(win7 and ubuntu 12.10)?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by zeroliken

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Quick summary and a safe, practical path forward. is right: using a virtual machine is the easiest way to try Ubuntu without risking your Windows install. Virtualization keeps both systems live at once and is great for learning. Dual-boot gives native performance and direct hardware access, but it’s more fragile and requires careful preparation.

Checklist for a reliable Windows 7 + Ubuntu (12.10) dual-boot:

  • Full image backup of the whole disk (not just file backup). This protects against partitioning mistakes.
  • From Windows: free up/defragment space and use Disk Management to shrink the Windows partition. If Disk Management won’t shrink enough, use a trusted partition tool from rescue media.
  • Create a bootable Ubuntu installer on USB/DVD (use the ISO for the machine’s architecture). Boot the installer and prefer manual partitioning (“Something else”) when in doubt.
  • Recommended partitions (examples): root (/) 20–30 GB ext4; swap sized to RAM if hibernation is required, otherwise 1–2 GB; optional separate /home for user data.
  • Install the bootloader to the same physical disk’s boot area (MBR or the EFI partition on UEFI machines). Confirm whether the PC boots in Legacy/BIOS or UEFI mode and use the same mode for both OS installers.

Troubleshooting notes and cautions:

  • If Windows repair or updates overwrite GRUB, restore it from live media (chroot reinstall or a boot-repair tool). Keep the recovery media for both OSes handy.
  • Encrypted or “dynamic” Windows volumes, BitLocker, or RAID drivers can prevent the installer from seeing Windows; disable or decrypt first.
  • If the hardware uses UEFI/Secure Boot, ensure the installer matches that mode and firmware settings are checked.

Tie-in to the thread: ’s VM suggestion is the best first step for newcomers; use the dual-boot checklist only when a native install is necessary and after a verified backup. ’s post points to Windows-side options already in the thread for alternative approaches.

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Member Avatar for JorgeM

Before you proceed with that configuration, i would highly recommend that that you consider running a virtualization app rather than setting up a multi-boot configuration. The multi-boot adds additional complexity, is more difficult to manage, and doesn't allow you to run the OSs at the same time.

If the host comouter is running Windows 7, i would install Virtual Box or VMWare. Then, install Ununtu and any other OS as guest VMs. The mainadvantage here is that this is a very simple configuration. As you are done with the guest VMs, you just delete them. You can run them at the same time. This config allowa you to build a very nice virtual lab.

Member Avatar for loidz123

Thank you JorgeM. I'm not really very good with this. I just want to ask if installing VMWare is like running Ubuntu inside Win7 or is it running linux in a separate hdd partition. Many Thanks.

Member Avatar for JorgeM

Vmware and VirtualBox are just two examples of apps that provide virtualization. They install on top of Windows 7. Ubuntu would run virtually within VMWare. The virtual app creates a virtual computer within Windows 7. You can run multiple VMs at the same time.

Member Avatar for loidz123

I see... I will try that... ;)
Thank you very kindly for your help JorgeM.

Member Avatar for zeroliken

I see that you'll follow using Vmware as an alternative so just to give a possible answer for the first question, as a reference here's a link for a Windows installer for ubuntu called Wubi

and
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/WubiGuide for a config/installation guide

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