I would like to use some Linux distro along with Windows either with live usb stick or a dual boot setup. If I use the live usb stick, I would like to have presistant storage. I tried to do the dual boot, but I had to disable secure boot before my machine saw the usb. This is contrary to the video I followed, which stated that Fedora supports secure boot. He did disable it in the video and stated that it would work better, but the point I have is that it did not work when I tried it. My main question however is that is there a scenario in which I can achieve my outcome which is to have the option of using Windows 11 and Linux at the same time? Should I look at other distros perhaps? Should I have done something differently? I had to reinstall Windows because when I disabled secure boot and installed Fedora, logging into Windows was asking me for the recovery key. I forgot about the key, but after installing Windows again I was prompted to save it somewhere and I did that just now. What is the best solution for me please? I posted a question earlier, and then saw some threads that seemed to say that Fedora supports secure boot and I can achieve my outcome. But I only understood that I have to install Fedora first. I assume Fedora live CD comes with some version of parted software that allows me to partition my drive. I assume I have to create two partions one of type NTFS, and the other btrfs? Can I have detailed instructions or links to them please? I also believe I have to make changes to GRUB? Needless to say that my laptop’s boot loader is UEFI. I hope I am using the right terms here. I deleted my earlier post because I thought I found the answer but then I realized that I needed further help. My last concern is about a comment someone made regarding the bata version. I hope the current download version is not in bata and someone has successfully installed it in a dual boot fashion or a live usb with presistant storage. That said would a usb-c add a lot in terms of speed?
Here is how I would like to address my questions please:
1- What should I do about the pc seeing my live usb? My pc did not even boot from it until I disabled secure boot.
2- I am ok with Installing Fedora first. How should I configure my partions and would the live usb have GParted? Are two partitions enough if I am ok with the default configurations for /, swap, and virtual memory?
3- What is next? Installing Windows? What medium do I need for that please? I only have the recovery medium now. Do I need to build a clean install medium?
4- What changes do I need to make to Grub in order to see the Window bootloader?
Thanks,
Shahin
This is not normal. Did you use Fedora Media Writer to create the USB? Some BIOS implementations do have problems with the Fedora Live USB keys. so you should check that your
BIOS is fully updated.
It is best (because we never know what changes Microsoft will make to NTFS and Windows use of it) to use Windows tools to shrink the NTFS partition to make free space for the Fedora Installer. I have always kept the original Windows installation and installed Fedora second. This “works” for me" with secure boot enabled. Windows appears in the grub menu.
Before installing Fedora, disable Windows Fastboot and check the size and free space of the Windows EFI partition. It needs to be at least 200M (some Windows systems give only 100 M).
I used rufus. Should I try the Fedora media writer?
Before installing Fedora, disable Windows Fastboot and check the size and free space of the Windows EFI partition. It needs to be at least 200M (some Windows systems give only 100 M).
I need some help with the later please. I can look it up online, but any details would help. Do I do this from the command line?
Some BIOS implementations do have problems with the Fedora Live USB keys. so you should check that your BIOS is fully updated.
I assume you mean checking on the vendor’s site to see if there is an update for my bios? I will do that. If you mean something else, please let me know.
Media Writer has always worked for me under secure boot. Rufus should work, but is more flexible, so we would have to work thru more details.
Windows has Storage Manager that will let you see partition sizes and resize the NTFS partition. I’m not sure if it can expand the EFI partition, but we can hope that is not necessary.
I have 260M for EFI. How about this? I am going to use the media writer to create the Fedora usb and give it a try and see what happens. Do you think I need to do anything else?
Thanks,
Shahin
Thank you so much. It looks like it worked. I had to put in the BitLocker recovery key every time I log into Fedora. I hope there is some way to avoid doing this manually. The same image worked. The mistake I made last time was I forgot about the recovery key. I did not even remember what it was. But I do not know how I should have since that image was the image that the laptop came with. There was no prompt to tell me to save the key in case I may need it. I would add this to the Install procedures so others will not experience the same difficulty. Thank you so much for all your help. Getting this done meant a lot to me.
If I ever need more space for this install, can I just shrink the Windows partition? How do I allocate it for Fedora? Can you help me out with this please?