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Ubuntu & Windows 7 Dual Boot Questions

Tags:
  • Windows
  • Dual Boot
  • Linux
Last response: in Linux/Free BSD
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January 14, 2014 11:15:35 PM

I want to learn more about other OS other than consumer Windows products. I have several questions about setting up a dual boot if someone would be so kind to help:

1) I'm using just 1 HDD and know how to partition/shrink the volume. My first question is this, will all unallocated space be reserved for Linux when I install it? For example, I placed 200GB of unallocated space and installed Linux, and it is using all of it. I changed my mind and would rather it just use 50GB of space. Can I still do this through Linux or Windows? Or will I need to delete Ubuntu, re-unallocate 20GB, and re-install Linux?

2) (Related to question 1) Does Linux set up a volume drive letter, or is this just a Windows feature?

3) I know I need to download separate drivers for each OS, Windows 7 and Linux Ubuntu. What drivers specifically? Motherboard and graphics card only?

4) Will Windows and Linux be able to share any files/folders? For example, will I need to copy songs from my Windows partition to my Linux partition, or is there a way to "share" songs?

5) I'm also thinking about installing a 3rd OS (i.e., Windows Server 2012). Will I run into any problems installing this OS after Linux Ubuntu?

More about : ubuntu windows dual boot questions

a b 5 Linux
January 15, 2014 1:40:48 AM

1) You can shrink the Ubuntu partition after if you wish.
2) Just a windows feature.
3) Most drivers come with Ubuntu. Get the newest, 13.10, to have the most complete drivers list.
4) Windows doesn't normally or efficiently work with the linux file system. Linux opens windows just fine. If you need to share then you should either create a folder on the windows partition or create a data partition in something windows can read like NTFS or FAT32 to drop things into from linux. Anything already on windows will open just fine in Ubuntu except windows programs.
5) Windows is rather egotistical on this point IMHO, it will erase the Ubuntu bootloader that included your Win7 when it installed. You can easily recover from this by using boot-repair after you add win server.
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January 15, 2014 4:46:49 AM

Thank you for the quick reply! I have a follow up question to #5:

What boot-repair software do you recommend?

And will it automatically detect the Ubuntu bootloader and use that as the primary bootloader?
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a b 5 Linux
January 15, 2014 6:50:52 AM

rhym1n said:
Thank you for the quick reply! I have a follow up question to #5:

What boot-repair software do you recommend?

And will it automatically detect the Ubuntu bootloader and use that as the primary bootloader?


Boot-repair is the name of the program.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Boot-Repair
Yes,it will reinstall the GRUB as the boot loader.
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