How to Dual Boot Pop OS 22.04 LTS and Windows 11 2023 (EASIEST WAY)

Introduction

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide on how to dual boot Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS alongside Windows 11. Dual booting allows you to run both operating systems on the same computer, giving you the flexibility to use either one at startup. This guide follows the UEFI-GPT method, suitable for most modern computers, ensuring a straightforward installation process with minimal risk of data loss. However, it's always wise to back up important files before proceeding.

Step 1: Prepare Your System

• Backup Important Data: Save any crucial files from your Windows 11 installation. This precaution ensures you can recover your data if something goes wrong.
• Check UEFI Settings: Access your BIOS/UEFI settings and ensure that:
  • Secure Boot is disabled.
  • The system is set to UEFI mode.

Step 2: Create Space for Pop!_OS

• Disk Management:
  • Open Disk Management in Windows by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting "Disk Management."
  • Locate the partition where Windows is installed (usually C: drive).
  • Right-click on the partition and select "Shrink Volume."
  • Decide how much space you want to allocate for Pop!_OS (recommended at least 20 GB) and complete the shrinking process.

Step 3: Download Pop!_OS

• Download the ISO:
  • Visit the official Pop!_OS website and download the latest version of Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS.
• Create a Bootable USB Drive:
  • Use a tool like Rufus or Etcher to create a bootable USB drive from the downloaded ISO file.
  • Insert your USB drive, select the Pop!_OS ISO in the tool, and start the process.

Step 4: Install Pop!_OS

• Boot from USB Drive:
  • Restart your computer and boot from the USB drive (you may need to change the boot order in UEFI settings).
• Start Installation:
  • Once Pop!_OS loads, select "Install Pop!_OS."
• Select Installation Type:
  • Choose the option to install alongside Windows.
• Allocate Space:
  • Select the unallocated space you created earlier and follow the prompts to allocate it for Pop!_OS.

Step 5: Complete the Installation

• Set Up User Account:
  • Follow the prompts to set up your user account and configure settings.
• Finish Installation:
  • Allow the installation to complete, and then restart your computer when prompted.

Step 6: Boot into Pop!_OS or Windows

• Boot Menu:
  • On startup, you should see a boot menu allowing you to choose between Windows 11 and Pop!_OS. Select your desired operating system to boot into it.

Conclusion

You have successfully set up a dual boot system with Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS and Windows 11. This setup allows you to enjoy both operating systems on the same machine. Remember to regularly back up your data and create recovery points in case you need to troubleshoot in the future. Happy computing!