After years of using Windows 11, I wanted to explore Ubuntu for coding, automation, and Linux-based projects.
But setting up a dual-boot system on a Dell laptop wasn’t as straightforward as I expected — especially with Dell’s RAID configuration and Intel RST storage system.
Here’s my complete journey — the steps I followed, the BIOS issues I faced, and how I finally got Windows and Ubuntu to live together in peace.
Step 1: Creating a Restore Point (Absolutely Important!)
Before changing anything, I created a System Restore Point on Windows 11.
Think of it like a “time machine” — it saves your system’s current state, so you can roll back if anything goes wrong.
💡 Why it’s important:
BIOS or partition changes can sometimes corrupt Windows boot loaders.
Dual boot setups may accidentally overwrite EFI or MBR records.
A restore point ensures your system can be recovered without reinstalling everything.
🪄 How to create it:
Search “Create a Restore Point” in Windows search.
Choose your C: drive and click Configure → Turn on system protection.
Set maximum usage (around 5–10%).
Click Create, give it a name (e.g., “Before Ubuntu Install”), and save.
💾 Pro tip: Combine this with a full backup of your important files.
Step 2: Creating a Separate Partition for Ubuntu
Ubuntu needs its own space to live.
Instead of creating a new drive, I simply shrunk the main volume to make space.
🪜 Here’s how:
Press Win + X → Disk Management.
Right-click your C: drive → Shrink Volume.
Enter the space you want for Ubuntu (at least 50GB recommended).
You’ll now see Unallocated Space — don’t format or assign a letter.
This un-allocated space will later be used during Ubuntu installation.
Step 3: Creating a Bootable USB Drive for Ubuntu
I downloaded the latest Ubuntu ISO from ubuntu.com/download.
Then I used Rufus to create a bootable USB drive.
⚙️ Rufus settings I used:
Device: USB drive Boot selection: Ubuntu ISO Partition scheme: GPT Target system: UEFI (non-CSM)
Click Start, wait for it to finish, and safely eject the USB.
Step 4: Changing Dell BIOS Settings (The Tricky Part)
After inserting the USB drive, I restarted my Dell laptop and pressed F2 to enter BIOS.
When I selected the USB drive to boot from, I immediately got a storage-related error — Ubuntu couldn’t detect the disk.
That’s when I learned that Dell systems come configured with RAID mode (Intel Rapid Storage Technology), which Ubuntu doesn’t support by default.
Here’s how I fixed it:
Restart and press F12 → BIOS Setup.
Go to Storage Configuration.
Change the option from RAID → AHCI.
Save and Exit.
💡 Do NOT change the drive priority or disable boot devices unless necessary.
Now, Ubuntu recognized the drive perfectly.
Step 5: Installing Ubuntu (Manual Mode)
When Ubuntu loaded the GRUB menu, I selected “Try Ubuntu” to make sure everything worked.
Then I started the installation manually instead of choosing the recommended “Install alongside Windows” option.
What I did:
Selected Manual Partitioning.
Chose the Free Space I created earlier.
Created a new partition:
Mount point: /
File system: ext4
Selected the option to install updates and third-party drivers (Wi-Fi and graphics).
Once done, Ubuntu installed smoothly.
I unplugged the USB and restarted.
Step 6: The Boot Problem — Windows Not Loading
After installation, GRUB appeared — showing both Ubuntu and Windows.
But when I selected Windows, I got an error message.
Here’s how I solved it:
Restart → Press F12 → Enter BIOS again.
Go to Storage Configuration → Switch back to RAID mode.
Save changes and exit → Windows booted perfectly!
But now Ubuntu stopped loading — so here’s the crucial next step.
Step 7: Enabling AHCI Support in Windows (The Crucial Fix)
To make both OSes work under AHCI mode, I had to enable AHCI drivers on Windows safely.
Here’s how:
Open Run (Win + R) → type msconfig → press Enter.
Go to Boot tab → Safe Boot → Minimal → Apply and restart.
During restart → Press F12 → BIOS → Switch to AHCI → Save & Exit.
Windows booted in Safe Mode under AHCI and installed the drivers.
Open msconfig again → disable Safe Boot → restart normally.
Now both Windows and Ubuntu worked perfectly under AHCI mode!
Step 8: Pro Tips Before Dual Booting
Here’s what I learned from this journey:
Disable Secure Boot in BIOS before installing Ubuntu.
Turn off BitLocker encryption — it can block partition changes.
Always backup files and create a Restore Point.
Use manual partitioning for better control.
Keep Rufus and BIOS firmware updated.
Final Thoughts
Dual booting is like teaching two powerful operating systems to share one home.
On Dell laptops, RAID vs AHCI is the main challenge — once you understand it, the rest becomes a smooth ride.
Now I can enjoy both worlds — Windows for productivity and Ubuntu for development — without conflicts.
watch this video to below
Have you ever faced issues installing Ubuntu or dual booting on a Dell laptop?
Share your experience in the comments — I’d love to hear how you fixed it!
✍️ Written by Aravind Kumar Yedida — a tech enthusiast sharing real-world fixes.
