# Complete Guide to Installing Dual Boot Windows 11 and Ubuntu on Dell Laptops

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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.

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## 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:

1. Search **“Create a Restore Point”** in Windows search.
    
2. Choose your **C: drive** and click **Configure → Turn on system protection**.
    
3. Set maximum usage (around 5–10%).
    
4. 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.

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## 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:

1. Press **Win + X → Disk Management**.
    
2. Right-click your **C: drive** → **Shrink Volume**.
    
3. Enter the space you want for Ubuntu (at least **50GB recommended**).
    
4. You’ll now see **Unallocated Space** — don’t format or assign a letter.
    

*This un-allocated space will later be used during Ubuntu installation.*

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## Step 3: Creating a Bootable USB Drive for Ubuntu

I downloaded the **latest Ubuntu ISO** from [ubuntu.com/download.  
Then](http://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.

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## 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:

1. Restart and press **F12 → BIOS Setup**.
    
2. Go to **Storage Configuration**.
    
3. Change the option from **RAID** → **AHCI**.
    
4. Save and Exit.
    

> 💡 *Do NOT change the drive priority or disable boot devices unless necessary.*

Now, Ubuntu recognized the drive perfectly.

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## 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:

1. Selected **Manual Partitioning**.
    
2. Chose the **Free Space** I created earlier.
    
3. Created a new partition:
    
    * Mount point: `/`
        
    * File system: **ext4**
        
4. 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.

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## 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:

1. Restart → Press **F12** → Enter **BIOS** again.
    
2. Go to **Storage Configuration** → Switch back to **RAID** mode.
    
3. Save changes and exit → Windows booted perfectly!
    

But now Ubuntu stopped loading — so here’s the crucial next step.

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## 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:

1. Open **Run (Win + R)** → type `msconfig` → press Enter.
    
2. Go to **Boot tab → Safe Boot → Minimal** → Apply and restart.
    
3. During restart → Press **F12 → BIOS → Switch to AHCI** → Save & Exit.
    
4. Windows booted in **Safe Mode** under AHCI and installed the drivers.
    
5. Open `msconfig` again → disable **Safe Boot** → restart normally.
    

Now both Windows and Ubuntu worked perfectly under AHCI mode!

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## 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.
    

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## 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`

%[https://youtu.be/uqZIp4ay-3s?si=9Ge47JIjisqlhp8o] 

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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!

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✍️ *Written by* [*Aravind Kumar Yedida*](https://aravindinsights.hashnode.dev) *— a tech enthusiast sharing real-world fixes.*