You can install Windows 10 on a computer that is already running Ubuntu Linux. Before you begin, make sure that you have already purchased a Windows license and product key. Don't worry if you don't have installation media for Windows since you can create a bootable USB disk from a downloadable ISO image. Once you are done, you will be able to install a tool called EasyBCD which will allow you to switch between operating systems upon reboot.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Create a Primary NTFS Partition for Windows
Step 1. Install Gparted if you haven't already
Gparted is a free score editor with a fairly simple to use graphical user interface. You can download it from Software Center or by running
sudo apt-get install gparted from the command line.
If you have already created a partition for Windows, but it is not a primary partition, you will need to create a new one
Step 2. Open Gparted
You will see a list of all drives and partitions.
Step 3. Right click on the partition you want to modify
Then select Resize / Move to allow you to create a new partition from an existing partition.
Step 4. Enter the size of the new partition (in MB)
In the Next Free up space field, you must allocate at least 20 GB (20,000 MB) for Windows 10. If you will be installing applications and using Windows regularly, you will need to increase this amount.
Step 5. Select Primary Partition from the Create As menu
You will find it on the right of the window.
Step 6. Choose ntfs from the File System menu
This menu is also on the right of the window.
Step 7. Type Windows 10 in the Label field
It's just so that you can easily identify the partition.
Step 8. Select Add
This option is located at the bottom right of the window.
Step 9. Click on the green check mark button
You will find it in the toolbar at the top in Gparted. Click on it to create a partition, which will only take a few moments. Once the partition has been created, click on To close at the bottom right of the window.
Part 2 of 4: Create a Windows 10 installation disc in Ubuntu
Step 1. Install UNetbootin from Software Center
This is a free application that allows you to create a bootable USB disk in Ubuntu. To learn more about UNetbootin, log on to
- You will need a blank USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage space to create installation media. All data on the USB stick will be deleted during the process.
- If you don't know how to install software on Ubuntu, you can check out sites like Malekal.com.
Step 2. Go to the Microsoft site
If you don't already have a bootable Windows DVD or USB memory disk, you can create one from a downloadable ISO image.
You must have a license to install Windows 10. This means that you must have already purchased Windows 10 and have a valid product key
Step 3. Select the most recent version of Windows 10
Then click on Confirm. Additional options will appear at the bottom of the page.
Step 4. Choose a language then click Confirm
You can choose the language from the drop-down menu under the heading Select the product language.
Step 5. Click Download 32-bit Where Download in 64 bits.
The ISO image will be downloaded to the default location of the downloaded files.
Step 6. Open UNetbootin and insert your USB memory disk
UNetbootin will display the welcome screen where you can choose your bootable drive settings.
Step 7. Select the DiskImage radio button
You'll find it at the bottom left of the window.
Step 8. Choose ISO from the DiskImage menu
This option is to the right of the radio button.
Step 9. Click on the three dots… button
This will open your file explorer.
Step 10. Select the file you just downloaded
This is the one that ends with. iso.
Step 11. Choose USB Drive from the Type menu
You'll find it at the bottom left of the window.
Step 12. Click on your USB drive from the Drive menu
This is the name of your USB drive.
- If you can't select your USB drive, it means it needs to be formatted as FAT32 file system. You can do this in the file manager by right clicking on the USB drive and then selecting Format.
Step 13. Choose OK
This will create a bootable Windows 10 USB disk from the downloaded ISO image. Once the disc is created, you will see the message “Installation Complete”.
Step 14. Click Exit to close UNetbootin
Part 3 of 4: Launch the Windows Setup File
Step 1. Restart your computer in BIOS / UEFI
The steps to enter BIOS / UEFI vary depending on the manufacturer and model of your computer. Usually, you will need to press a specific key (often the F2, F10, F1, or Delete key) immediately after restarting the computer.
Insert the USB disk into a free USB port if it is not already
Step 2. Change the boot order of the drives
Configure the USB drive to be the first in the boot order. This is usually done in a menu called Boot or Boot Order. The process steps vary from computer to computer, but you will usually need to select Usb reader and mark it as 1st boot device. Check your computer manufacturer's website for more specific BIOS / UEFI information.
Step 3. Save your changes and close BIOS / UEFI
In most BIOS / UEFI, the Save and Exit keys are clearly visible on the screen. Once you exit BIOS / UEFI, your computer will boot from the USB drive and display the Windows setup window.
Step 4. Click Custom: Install Windows Only (Advanced)
This is the second option on the window. Click on it to display a list of partitions.
Step 5. Select the Windows 10 partition
Then click on Next. This is the partition you just created. Windows will now be installed on the selected partition.
Step 6. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows
Once the configuration is complete, you will be redirected to the Windows desktop.
Step 7. Connect to the Internet
Now that Windows is installed, you will need to install a tool that will allow you to use it in dual boot with your existing Ubuntu installation.
To learn how to connect over Wi-Fi, read the wikiHow How to Connect to the Internet
Part 4 of 4: Configure dual boot
Step 1. Open Microsoft Edge browser
You will find it in the Start menu which is located at the bottom left of the screen. The last step in the process is to configure your computer to let it boot either from Windows 10 or from Ubuntu.
Step 2. Go to the NeoSmart website
EasyBCD is a free tool that allows you to configure dual-boot from Windows.
Step 3. Scroll down to the Registry option
This option is located under the Non commercial heading and will redirect you to a login page.
Step 4. Enter your name and email address
Then click on Download. The download should start right away, but you may need to click Save Where To download to confirm.
Step 5. Click on the file you just downloaded
This is the file that begins with EasyBCD. You should see it at the bottom in the browser. If you don't see it, press Ctrl + J to open the downloads list and then click on it.
Step 6. Choose Yes to allow the application to launch
Step 7. Follow the on-screen instructions
Once the EasyBCD application is installed, it will be added to the Start menu.
Step 8. Open EasyBCD
You will find it in the Start menu accessible by clicking on the Windows button at the bottom left of the screen.
Step 9. Go to the Linux / BSD tab
It's at the top of the app.
Step 10. Select Grub 2 from the Type menu
This option is at the top of the tab.
Step 11. Type Ubuntu in the Name field
You will find it under the Type menu. This is how Ubuntu will appear in the start menu.
Step 12. Choose Locate and Run Automatically from the Player menu
Step 13. Click Add Entry
This button is found under the Player menu and allows you to add an Ubuntu option to the standard Windows boot menu.
Step 14. Remove the USB drive and restart your computer
You can restart your machine by clicking on the menu To start up, by selecting the power button (shaped like a switch) and then choosing To restart. Once the computer has restarted, it will display a screen that will allow you to choose between Windows 10 and Ubuntu. Select the operating system you want to use.