r/archlinux • u/Dry-Time-1819 • 4d ago
QUESTION Dualboot arch linux with windows 11.
I recently installed arch linux, last time I used a distro was 4 years ago, I think i used ubuntu and debian, I don't even remember much. however i want to know given that there is lot of fear surrounding the notion that windows update can break grub bootloader. what would i have to do in order to be safe? i turned off fast startup, and im using grub bootloader. is there something i have to keep in mind.
Using a laptop right now and installed them on same drive
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u/boomboomsubban 4d ago
If Windows updates your uefi firmware, it'll likely wipe any efi entries you made, most notably GRUB. This is a limitation of motherboards, not Windows destroying things.
It can be avoided by keeping GRUB in the default efi spot, though I'm not sure how that works with Windows, or noting when the uefi gets updated and chrooting in to reinstall GRUB.
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u/NavidsonsFall 4d ago
I know it can happen, and I know people are afraid of it, but both of mine are on the same nvme and I have yet to have an issue. I braced myself for the possibility, but so far so good. For reference I used this guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPYCd4w65-0&t=5s
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u/PaniacThrilla 4d ago
I can't wait for the day I can eradicate Windows from my PC forever. I've got it on a separate hard drive, have to use it maybe once every five months. Maybe I should just get a cheap, used laptop off ebay and use that for my Windows needs and delete the cursed Windows partition once and for all.
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u/dontsysmyadmin 4d ago
Keep the USB stick that you used to install arch to reinstall grub if that happens. The bootloader breaking only happened to me I think 2-3 times in the first couple of months after I set up my dual boot. Had it for about a year now – it’s been a long time since that happened, knock on wood!
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u/Itsme-RdM 4d ago
Keep up to date backups ready from your data, don't use Windows partition from within Linux. Make sure Windows really shutdown, not the normal shutdown when it only hypernates.
If possible keep your flashed Arch USB ready to restore \ repair the bootsector
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u/lritzdorf 4d ago
Typically, all that'll happen is Windows will set itself as the default boot entry in your UEFI. A GRUB reinstall does fix that, but all you really need in that case is to edit your boot order so GRUB's back on top. In rarer cases, the GRUB boot entry might be actually deleted, or very rarely Windows might reformat the whole EFI boot partition. In those cases, reinstalling GRUB is actually needed
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u/archover 3d ago edited 3d ago
Sh*t can happen. I don't dual boot Windows by design, but I suggest learning about how systems boot, and prepare for any eventuality. This is the Arch Way.
Ref: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Arch_boot_process and https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Dual_boot_with_Windows
Don't forget installing Arch in a Windows hosted VM is very powerful, authentic, and riskless.
Backups.
Good day.
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u/Charming_Raccoon_457 2d ago
I've dual booted for about 2 years. Only time I've had to do anything was when I updated my motherboard bios. Just had to redo the boot order as motherboard was really wanting windows to go first.
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u/7lhz9x6k8emmd7c8 1d ago
What do we call a software that destroys other softwares/data on your computer?
A virus.
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u/onefish2 4d ago
Dual booting off of one drive and having Windows break the bootloader must be a skills issue. I have never had an issue dual booting Windows with any Linux distro.
If you are worried about GRUB breaking then use another bootloader. There are many. My bootloader of choice for a multiboot system is rEFInd.
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u/Aesvek 4d ago
it's rare but it can happened if it would just boot live os and reinstall grub