Bare-Metal Dual-Boot Setup (Windows & Ubuntu)

This guide covers the process of installing a native, bare-metal Ubuntu environment on a machine that already has Windows 11 installed. By running Ubuntu directly on the hardware instead of a virtual machine, we unlock maximum processing performance for local AI models.

Step 1: Create the Bootable Installer (Rufus)

We will use Rufus on Windows to write the downloaded Ubuntu ISO to an 8GB pendrive. Because modern motherboards use strict UEFI standards, configuring Rufus correctly is critical to prevent boot failures.

1. Insert your 8GB pendrive into the computer. (Warning: Everything on this drive will be erased).
2. Open Rufus.
3. Apply these exact configurations:
   • Device: Select your 8GB pendrive.
   • Boot selection: Click SELECT and locate your downloaded Ubuntu 26.04 LTS ISO file.
   • Partition scheme: Change this to GPT (Do not use MBR).
   • Target system: UEFI (non CSM).
   • Volume label: Leave as default (or name it Ubuntu 26.04).
   • File system: Leave as default (FAT32 or Large FAT32).
4. Click START.
5. If Rufus prompts you to choose a writing mode, select Write in ISO Image mode and click OK.

Step 2: Access the Motherboard Boot Menu

With the bootable USB created, we need to instruct the motherboard to load it instead of Windows.

1. Keep the USB drive plugged in.
2. Restart your Windows computer.
3. Immediately and repeatedly press the F12 key on your keyboard as the screen turns black. This will open the Gigabyte Boot Menu. (Note: F12 is the specific boot menu key for Gigabyte motherboards).
4. In the menu, look for your USB drive. It will likely be labeled with “UEFI:” followed by the pendrive brand name. Select it and press Enter.
5. The GRUB bootloader screen will appear. Select Try or Install Ubuntu and press Enter.

Step 3: The Ubuntu Installation Wizard

The Ubuntu installer is a straightforward graphical wizard. The most critical part is ensuring it targets the 200GB unallocated space you previously prepared, without touching your Windows 11 partition.

1. Welcome Screen: Select your preferred language and click Install Ubuntu.
2. Keyboard Layout: Select your layout and click Continue.
3. Network Connection: Connect to your Wi-Fi or wired network. This allows Ubuntu to download essential updates during installation.
4. Updates and Other Software: * Choose Normal installation.
   • Check the box for Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware.
   • Click Continue.
5. Installation Type (Crucial Step): * The installer will automatically detect your Windows 11 setup.
   • Select the first option: Install Ubuntu alongside Windows Boot Manager.
   • This option is completely safe; it will automatically find and use your 200GB unallocated space.
   • Click Install Now.
   • A pop-up will ask you to confirm the partition changes. Click Continue.
6. Timezone: Click on your location on the map and click Continue.
7. Who Are You?: * Enter your name and a computer name.
   • Choose a username.
   • Set a strong password.
   • Select Require my password to log in.
   • Click Continue.

Step 4: Finalize and Reboot

1. The installer will now copy the files and configure the system.
2. Once finished, a prompt will appear saying “Installation Complete”. Click Restart Now.
3. The screen will prompt you to “Please remove the installation medium, then press ENTER”. Pull out your pendrive and press Enter.

Step 5: The Dual-Boot Experience (GRUB)

From now on, every time you turn on your computer, you will be greeted by the GRUB Menu (a black screen with white text) for a few seconds before the OS loads.

This menu is your dual-boot selector:

• Select Ubuntu to boot into your new Linux AI environment.
• Select Windows Boot Manager to boot back into Windows 11.

Step 6: Use Windows Boot Manager Instead of GRUB (Optional)

If you prefer the native blue Windows Boot Manager screen to handle your OS selection instead of the black GRUB screen, you must configure this from inside Windows.

1. Boot into Windows 11.

2. Click the Start Menu, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.

3. Create a new entry in the Windows Boot Manager by copying the current one:

   Command Prompt (Admin)

   bcdedit /copy {bootmgr} /d "Ubuntu 26.04"

4. The terminal will output: The entry was successfully copied to \{a-long-string-of-characters\}. Copy that entire \{GUID\} including the curly brackets.

5. Point that new entry to your Ubuntu EFI file (replace \{GUID\} with your copied text):

Dos

bcdedit /set {GUID} path \EFI\ubuntu\shimx64.efi

Add the new Ubuntu option to the visible boot menu list:

Dos

bcdedit /displayorder {GUID} /addlast

Finally, tell the motherboard to bypass GRUB and load the Windows Boot Manager first:

Dos

bcdedit /set {fwbootmgr} displayorder {bootmgr} /addfirst