How to install MX Linux in Dual Boot using a Windows computer with UEFI/GPT?

In the current era, computers have evolved significantly, both in terms of hardware (CPU, GPU, NPU, RAM, HDD, and more) and the software visible to users (Windows, macOS, Linux, and BSD), and the software visible to advanced or technical users. Therefore, Gone are the days of common use of the traditional BIOS system on motherboards., and now they dominate the UEFI/EFI systems on them, while on hard drives, the GPT partitioning standard has been imposed, replacing MBR. Consequently, many things that were once considered quite simple, for example, creating a Dual Boot with Windows and Linux on a computer, are now a bit more complex. And because of that, today in this post we will teach you the correct procedure when you want to "Combine the power of Windows with the flexibility of Linux on a single computer with UEFI and GPT technology., taking as an example, MX Linux.

So yes You are still one of those who has never had to install a Dual Boot system on modern computers with UEFI and GPT, and that seems like a challenge to you.Don't worry, we hope to give you an effective solution (procedure) to achieve this goal. And to do so, in this article we will guide you step by step to Install MX Linux in Dual Boot alongside Windows, taking full advantage of the benefits of both operating systems..

But, before you start reading this post and tutorial on «How to install MX Linux in Dual Boot on a Windows computer with UEFI/GPT?», we recommend one previous related post with this technology called UEFI for later reading:

Dual Boot MX Linux Installation alongside Windows with UEFI/GPT

Why MX Linux and not another Linux?

Before starting this tutorial, we imagine that many of you are probably wondering Why I have taken MX Linux as an example. Well, because besides being very popular and used (I also use it daily), It is a distribution that stands out from many others by the use of a little-known graphical installer called "Gazelle", which is very different from the popular "Calamares".

Reason why, it is assumed that already There is plenty of documentation on how to use the Calamares installer when performing this procedure.. So, without further ado, get ready to discover the right step by step to achieve A successful installation of this type (UEFI/GPT) using the Gazelle installer on MX Linux.

Tutorial to install MX Linux in Dual Boot with Windows using UEFI / GPT

previous context

For this Tutorial we will start from the case or situation in which The modern computer has a motherboard with UEFI/EFI and already have a Windows 10 or Windows 11 Operating System installed on it A hard drive (of any size) already formatted and working perfectly with the GPT disk partition systemThis would be the most common case to encounter, for example, when purchasing a new, modern computer, or when we find a newly installed work or educational environment (computer lab).

And furthermore, from the position that we have already done from the Windows operating system, resizing the Hard Drive (single or primary), thus freeing up a segment (partition) of it to perform the installation of our MX Linux operating system with Gazelle or any other GNU/Linux distro with Calamares or any other installer. It should be noted that the free space segment can be left formatted or unformatted (FAT32 / NTFS), as this is where we'll begin our installation of MX Linux or another distro using GParted or a similar CLI/GUI tool.

Step-by-step MX Linux installation process on Dual Boot with Windows using UEFI/GPT

First step

• Initializing MX Linux Live and checking for free partitions created from Windows with GParted on a modern computer with UEFI and GPT.

Second step

• Creation and optimal configuration of minimum partitions required (2) for the process: The first, a small partition with a recommended size between 512 MB (minimum) and 4 GB (maximum) intended for the UEFI/EFI boot system of the Linux/BSD-based operating system installation, with the "FAT32" format and with the boot labels "ESP" and "Boot". And the second or several other remaining ones of the desired or remaining size for the file system (files) of the GNU/Linux or BSD Distribution. In my case, I usually install the entire MX Linux file system on the main bar, that is, in " / " with the "EXT4" format.

Third step

• Normal start of the MX Linux installation process with the Gacela installer.

First Note: Make sure you have told the Installer that the “FAT32” partition should be formatted with the “ESP” format.

Second note: Make sure you have told the Installer that the installation location will be “ESP” so that it will automatically and correctly use the “ESP” partition already prepared for it.

Third note: Although, it is something to the taste/need of each user, remember that if your modern computer only uses "SSD" or "If you have a NVMe hard drive and 8GB of RAM or more, you probably don't need or recommend using swap partitions. However, if you're installing Linux on a traditional (mechanical) hard drive without any issues, you can use a swap partition or file to improve performance.

Final step

• Once the installation is complete and the computer has restarted, if everything went well, you should see the GRUB of your MX Linux or *Linux or *BSD Distro used showing the installed Windows operating system.

And if you want more details on how to do this procedure, you can do the same as me, that is, watch the following video tutorial in Spanish: MX Linux Step by Step Installation UEFI/EFI GPT.

Glossary of terms used

• BIOS: Basic Input-Output System, which in Spanish means ““Basic entry and exit system.”
• UEFI: Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, which in Spanish means “Unified Extensible Firmware Interface”.
• MBR: Master Boot Record, which in Spanish means ““Master Boot Record”.
• GPT: GUID Partition Table, which in Spanish means “T”talk about GUID partitions”.

Just over a year ago (November 2023), Binarly researchers announced the discovery of a new vulnerability targeting the Unified Extensible Firmware Interfaces (UEFI) responsible for booting modern devices running Windows or Linux. Dubbed "LogoFAIL," this vulnerability exploits flaws that have been present for years in UEFI image parsers, allowing malicious code to execute in the early stages of the boot process, thus compromising the platform's security.

Summary

In short, we hope that if you have ever unsuccessfully faced this need or requirement of Install a dual-boot Linux operating system alongside Windows on a modern computer using UEFI and GPT technology, This helpful tutorial will help you accurately solve the problem. Regardless of whether you're using the MX Linux distro or not. And in case you know another easy and simple way to achieve this type of goal, or if you feel we have missed something to add or remove, we invite you to mention it via comments, for the interest and benefit of all.

Lastly, remember visit our «homepage» in Spanish. Or, in any other language (just by adding 2 letters to the end of our current URL, for example: ar, de, en, fr, ja, pt and ru, among many others) to find out more current content. Additionally, we invite you to join our Official Telegram channel to read and share more news, guides and tutorials from our website.