Ubuntu 16.04 dual boot Windows 7

Question

Hey guys I have Ubuntu 16.04 installed on my laptop now I really wanna install Windows 7 because there is always that one software that doesn't run on Ubuntu, HELP ASAP

Edit: I recently upgraded to Ubuntu 16.10 with software centre

Second Edit: My question is different because I have Ubuntu 16.10 and before I followed a Ubuntu 14.10 tutorial and it did not work and I could not boot into Ubuntu! So I had to delete Windows and Ubuntu and reinstall Ubuntu!

Third Edit:

There's plenty of material out there: http://askubuntu.com/questions/6317/how-can-i-install-windows-after-ive-installed-ubuntu — Josh Morel, Oct 15 '16 at 11:59
Yeah, but the thing is they have succes with different versions of ubuntu but , does that make a difference — Naiem da Legend, Oct 15 '16 at 15:46
It does not make a difference. Just be careful and backup important data first. — mook765, Oct 16 '16 at 06:24
@mook765 thanks, but u see I installed Windows 7 over Ubuntu 16.04 before then I used EasyBCD to add Ubuntu 16.04 to Windows BootMGR , then when I chose Ubuntu it said "Try (hd0,0) ext2" then I deleted Windows and re-installed Ubuntu 16.04 — Naiem da Legend, Oct 16 '16 at 10:43
Best is always to install Windows first. Be aware of the install-mode (UEFI or legacy). Windows will install only in legacy-mode when drive has MBR and only in UEFI when drive has GPT. Install Ubuntu or any other distribution always in the same mode like Windows. You don't need Easy-BCD then, you have Grub. Even Grub will fail if you install in different mode. For Ubuntu-install boot installer in UEFI-mode to install in UEFI-mode, boot installer in legacy-mode to install in legacy-mode. — mook765, Oct 16 '16 at 11:34
Ok um this is very complicated can u say it in a way that a newbie like me can understand?please would be appreciated — Naiem da Legend, Oct 16 '16 at 13:15

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 15 '16 at 12:02

1

So you have two options if you do not want to go the VM route.

Shrink one or more of your Ubuntu partitions.
Install Win 7 on an external HD.

If you need an in depth, just ask.

Best, BoB

answered Oct 15 '16 at 12:02

BoB

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hey, could u give me a full text tutorial because im afraid I might break GRUB – Naiem da Legend Oct 15 '16 at 14:53

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 15 '16 at 12:03

1

You will have to install Windows 7 then Ubuntu. The reason behind this is cause of partitioning, Windows cannot work with Ubuntu being the first boot up.

Or you can run a VM. If you choose to run a VM read this guide:https://www.pcsteps.com/207-windows-virtual-machine-linux-windows/

Hope it helps.

answered Oct 15 '16 at 12:03

Arszilla

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8

thanks for the help but I dont want to install through VM, cheers anyway – Naiem da Legend Oct 15 '16 at 14:51
Well your only choice is to dual boot then. Sorry. Make a backup of your Linux files, install Windows then Linux and install WINE in Linux so you can install Windows files there (Sometimes you will need windows to complete some windows only files so...) – Arszilla Oct 15 '16 at 14:53
No need to say sorry – Naiem da Legend Oct 15 '16 at 15:26
@Arszilla not true, Windows can be installed second but more work is required. – Oct 15 '16 at 16:09
@MarkYisri will u give me a full text tutorial please – Naiem da Legend Oct 15 '16 at 16:55
@NaiemdaLegend Absolutely, but it will take me some time. I will give you a link when I have it. – Oct 15 '16 at 17:48
@MarkYisri thanks it is very much appreciated, i shall wait – Naiem da Legend Oct 15 '16 at 18:15
@NaiemdaLegend try this link – Oct 15 '16 at 19:34
@MarkYisri thanks for the help but one more question should I use boot repair to repair GRUB or run commands to repair GRUB? – Naiem da Legend Oct 15 '16 at 20:16
@NaiemdaLegend If using UEFI boot repair, if BIOS use commands. – Oct 15 '16 at 21:02

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 15 '16 at 12:53

1

Even though it does not work for every program it's worth checking out if you can run the software you want in wine. Other than that you can install a VM or dual boot.

answered Oct 15 '16 at 12:53

JTHO

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Hey thanks for the help but I don't want a VM, but thanks anyways – Naiem da Legend Oct 15 '16 at 20:16

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:25

1

To accomplish this, follow the instructions here. If using UEFI boot repair, if BIOS use commands.

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:25

Community

1

answered Oct 16 '16 at 19:40

hey will this work on Ubuntu 16.10 cos I recently upgraded to 16.10 from 16.04 @MarkYisri, I dunno if that makes a difference but just to make sure (btw im a newbie) – Naiem da Legend Oct 16 '16 at 19:58
@NaiemdaLegend should work on all new versions. – Oct 17 '16 at 11:16
one more question, before I install the GRUB on to the boot partition dont I have to remove the Windows bootloader before that? btw I have a seperate boot partition – Naiem da Legend Oct 17 '16 at 15:27
Don't remove the Windows bootloader, that happens automatically. If this answer helped, please approve it. – Oct 17 '16 at 15:45
I can't approve it until it works:) – Naiem da Legend Oct 17 '16 at 15:56
hey, how do I know if I have a seperate boot partition, please help! – Naiem da Legend Oct 18 '16 at 20:12
@NaiemdaLegend please show the result of fdisk -l – Oct 19 '16 at 10:46
Device Boot Start End Sectors Size Id Type /dev/sda1 2048 253747199 253745152 121G 83 Linux /dev/sda2 * 253747200 253951999 204800 100M 7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT /dev/sda3 253952000 471644159 217692160 103.8G 7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT /dev/sda4 471646206 488396799 16750594 8G 5 Extended /dev/sda5 471646208 488396799 16750592 8G 82 Linux swap / Solaris – Naiem da Legend Oct 19 '16 at 15:26
Device Boot Start End Sectors Size Id Type /dev/sda1 2048 253747199 253745152 121G 83 Linux /dev/sda2 * 253747200 253951999 204800 100M 7 HPFS/NTFS/ /dev/sda3 253952000 471644159 217692160 103.8G 7 HPFS/NTFS/dev/sda4 471646206 488396799 16750594 8G 5 Extended /dev/sda5 471646208 488396799 16750592 8G 82 Linux swap / Solaris btw sda3 is the partition I created for windows 7 and ignore the 1st comment – Naiem da Legend Oct 19 '16 at 15:30
actually lets talk in chat yes? Im messagiing u write now – Naiem da Legend Oct 19 '16 at 15:30
sorry for the stupid comments I tried copying and pasting but look at my question and it will be there – Naiem da Legend Oct 19 '16 at 15:45
@NaiemdaLegend sure go ahead and let's chat. Or you can email me at yisrimark@gmail.com – Oct 19 '16 at 16:06
ok Mark please check your inbox I have sent u an e-mail @MarkYisri – Naiem da Legend Oct 19 '16 at 16:36

Ubuntu 16.04 dual boot Windows 7

4 Answers4