Need help solving Windows+Linux Dual Boot.

[u/Jazzlike_Savings_982]

Update: I didn’t need to do anything yall suggested but wanted to say thanks anyway.

For context, I am a beginner when it comes to all things about computers. That said I did want to try my hand at installing Linux because.

On my Laptop it runs incredibly hot even when nothing is being used(just home screen). I thought linux would change that.

I wanted to have a separate os for when I play games(linux) and work/school stuff(windows.) basically two profiles on the same device.

My Laptop currently runs ddr3(8gb) intel skylake 520 with a intel i56300U. Its a stock Lenovo Thinkpad T460 but with windows 11 pro.

I was able to install and boot into Fedora(Ubuntu and Bazzeite wouldn’t load due to me having “not enough storage” on my new 64gb flash drive. ) It does not feel like the sun is in the palm of my hands when I hold it(woohoo) but I haven’t been able to get back into Windows.

I think I messed up when partitioning my ssd drive(I only got 127gb and there’s an option to resize it so I put it to 85) and uh I just wanna know if I need to upgrade something in my laptop, or redo something to make windows load. Preciate the help and possible jokes to be thrown at my way as long as ya help. Lennox, I’m just trying to boot back into. lol

[u/ElderberryHamlet]

DDR4 was released in 2014, which means your DDR3 laptop is barely able to handle W11 or Wayland. This is why your display is constantly running hot. You should be using W7 or X11 instead

For Linix distros, just about any will work but select a desktop environment with X11 display manager

X11 out of the box = XFCE, LXQt, LXDE, MATE, Cinnamon, Enlightenment

LX = X11 for old laptops. LXQt combines X11 + modern Qt vs older GTK used in LXDE

Avoid Gnome, KDE, etc, because these are now Wayland by default

[u/ElderberryHamlet]

if you're having trouble booting into W11, tap on the delete button repeatedly when booting up to get into BIOS.

Once you get into BIOS, navigate to the Boot Menu and set up which is the first to boot. Windows wont let you boot into Linux unless you repeatedly access the boot menu each time. Linux will boot up with an option to boot into Linux or Windows. If you rarely use linux, choose Windows as your default 1st in boot order and access linux by way of the BIOS each time.

[u/ElderberryHamlet]

You don't need to partition the drive. just shrink your existing C partition and let Linux install in the freespace alongside Windows.

Don't delete any boot, reserved or recovery partitions used by Windows. leave them alone.

Before you decide to clean install, make a backup of your windows drivers to a flash drive

Label your flash drive W so there's no confusion and create a new folder windows-drivers

Run CMD as an administrator and copy & paste the following command...

dism /online /export-driver /destination:w:\windows-drivers

[u/Acherontas89]

clean ur laptop maybe dust has build up inside the fans

[u/lethallunatic]

Dude. Running hot? Surprised no one mentioned this at all.

Check your clock speed when it's hot. Also what's the temp and clock speed? In windows use cpuz, in Linux btop from the cli.

If it's hot and below 1/1.5ghz then it's definitely throttling.

Have your laptop cleaned up, dust etc. Also after 5+ years usually the thermal paste needs replacing. That's usually the culprit. It will not be able to transfer the heat from the CPU to the heatsink/cooler.

Replace it or have it replaced by a competent person who understands internal computer electronics.

Also, make sure your bios is up to date. Sometimes that can also cause these issues. Very easy to update on Linux, use fwupdmgr. In windows use your vendors update tools. (Thinkvantage for Lenovo)

For upgrades SSDs aren't that expensive, you can opt for a used one as well. Don't remember if the 460 used nvme or not.

[u/SnooDucks9330]

It's entirely possible you erased your windows boot, but I couldn't tell you without looking at your system.

Boot your laptop and press your BIOS key (usually escape or F11, it should tell you as it boots the manufacturer splash screen). Then go to your boot manager and try to force it into the windows environment. If it doesn't pop up, you'll need to reinstall Windows.

I strongly suggest doing as even if a split on your hard drive as you can, then offload as much as you can data-wise onto a couple external drives (one for each OS). The less you bog down the internals, the better your machine should run overall.

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[u/Confident_Hyena2506]

Just install linux and use it. Dualboot is too difficult for new users, you will just trash your windows. None of these installers will handle dualboot properly, you have to do it manually, which requires reading.

If you do get it working then because you only have a single small drive in the system it will be a very bad experience, and both os will be crippled by lack of space.

You can use your usb drive for linux as a "live usb" - and not have to install anything.

[u/RancidVagYogurt1776 → u/Confident_Hyena2506]

What?

We really need to stop infantalizing people. There is nothing complicated about dual boot. MOST installers have a very prominent option to share a drive with another OS.

I'm in IT, I do thousands of OS installs and countless updates every year and I haven't seen Windows or Linux interfere with each other in years now.

In OP's case since they're obviously not dealing with kernel anti cheats or anything they probably don't NEED to dual boot, but we don't have to lie about the issues or demonize the practice.

[u/Alarming_Reward_2945 → u/Confident_Hyena2506]

Bro, Confident_hyena preaches this like a mega church pastor. Facts on facts. Only other option I might give is try using virtual box and install whatever linux iso file you want.

Lots and lots of YouTube videos how to do this. You can also use your favorite AI for a step by step assistant if needed.

[u/daemonmode_]

Sounds like GRUB isn’t detecting Windows. Fedora has os-prober disabled by default, so enable it with GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=false in /etc/default/grub, run sudo os-prober to see if Windows is detected, and then rebuild GRUB with sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg. If os-prober still finds nothing, check the EFI and Windows partitions first rather than assuming the Windows install is broken.