Hi. I’ve not really used Windows since the early 2000. Even then not much.

I have a single mini PC with windows on. And use it only for device firmware updates. As a ham radio nerd. You get many devices that can only be modified via windows.

Anyway it was set up with dual boot the normal way. Windows first as it came with it. Then make a real Linux partition to use the PC on my boat while travelling.

Now the issue is I am upgrading the Mini PC. Basically replacing memory and the tiny 128gb ssd. So need to install it all from scratch.

I have order a copy of windows 11 from ebay. (At a price I consider acceptable for the crap)

But its going to take several days to arrive. And I would like to be more efficient.

So I am hoping folks can advice me on the best way to set up the PC with Linux first then install Windows 11 later. Knowing windows has a habit of messing up grub etc.

  • just_another_person@lemmy.world
    101·
    2 months ago

    Installing Windows will always nuke the existing bootloadet with the Windows one. You can install Linux just fine now, then Windows, but you’ll need go back and set the bootloader back to grub or whatever your distro prefers. If you don’t know how to do this yet, just look it up. You’ll need to know how to do it in the future, since Windows Updates will randomly do this again in the future.

      • just_another_person@lemmy.world
        3·
        2 months ago

        Also make sure you leave empty space on the drive for the windows partition when partitioning for Windows. You can resize later in Linux, before installing Windows if that’s easier.

      • Skull giver@popplesburger.hilciferous.nl
        1·
        2 months ago

        If you’re buying a new SSD, you probably won’t need to worry about this. Just make sure to boot the installer in UEFI mode (usually the default). In the worst case, you’ll need to go into the motherboard settings and put Linux above Windows in the boot menu.

    • Skull giver@popplesburger.hilciferous.nl
      1·
      2 months ago

      Only in MBR mode. On computers less than 10 years old, you can go into the UEFI settings and put Grub above the Windows bootloader in the boot order list.

      Some broken computers only boot the “flash got wiped, let’s hope this one works” fallback bootloader. Windows and Grub will fight for that one, but that should only happen if your motherboard’s UEFI settings got reset or if the firmware is buggy.