Many users work on installing secondary operating systems alongside their main operating system, either for work necessities or for experimentation and exploration. It is possible to experience any operating system within a virtual machine on the main system, and of course, with more options available, technical problems may arise sometimes.
If someone installs an operating system from the same company like Windows 10 and Windows 7, for example, they may not face many issues with dual booting. However, if a user wants to install Linux alongside Windows, there may be some confusion if they are not fully knowledgeable about completing the process. This can lead to some risks regarding dual booting, and here are the main ones.
1. Risks of Replacing the Operating System and Data Loss
If you are installing an operating system alongside another, you must choose the correct disk from the start. Choosing the main system disk will lead to the loss of that system and all the files and data on it, causing difficulty in data recovery if lost because most data does not recover the way you want it to, but rather damaged.
Luckily, Windows and Linux have enough intelligence to automatically detect the main drive to install the system. This means that if you are installing Windows alongside Linux, the installation wizard should clearly highlight the drives for you to choose from or leave the option for the system to automatically install on the side, so make sure of your choices before starting.
Read Also: How to Install Ubuntu Alongside Windows 10 on Modern Devices
2. Risks of Direct Impact on Productivity
Running multiple operating systems on your computer is a great way to maximize productivity, but sometimes it can have opposite results. If you need to use Windows 10 alongside Ubuntu, it is appropriate to switch easily to this operating system.
But do you really need that? It is important to make sure you have equivalent applications in Linux if you switch from Windows, and likewise, you should ensure that suitable options are available in case of switching from Linux to Windows. Dual booting should truly be for experiencing a complete alternative operating system environment for enjoyment.
3. Risks of Data Inaccessibility
One of the biggest risks of dual booting is the inability to access your data. In most cases, this should not be an issue if you have organized things effectively, as your vital personal files should be accessible across any operating system you use. This is possible by using cloud storage or utilizing a partition of the hard drive dedicated to personal files.
However, dual booting may fail for various reasons, leading to the inability to access either of the systems and consequently the lack of access to necessary personal data. You may face a black screen that feels like a black hole swallowing everything you have, requiring you to access the system installation disk and use terminal or command prompt to enter some commands to restore everything back to normal.
4. Risks of Operating System Updates
Updating your operating system is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure a powerful and secure computer in Windows and Linux. Unfortunately, it can lead to problems in dual boot scenarios. While updating a Linux system may cause some issues, a Windows update could be destructive.
Running an updated Windows system could rewrite the Master Boot Record (MBR), leaving a missing partition for Linux. Failed updates or even simple driver updates can cause problems in a dual boot computer. In such cases, you may need to use Windows recovery tools to restore things back to normal if issues occur.
5. Risks of Viruses
Linux-based operating systems are powerful and largely free from viruses and other risks, although there are some exceptions, it is largely due to the relatively small user base. Linux operating systems collectively control only a small portion of the operating system market despite being free, powerful, and customizable.
Most attackers target Windows systems for greater gains, leading to many websites being attacked or even rendered offline due to viruses and malware. If Windows is breached and you have a dual boot system, it will inevitably impact the other system, no matter what it is.
More: How to Change the Default Operating System to Boot on Your Computer
6. Risks of Decreased Swap Space
In most cases, dual-booting should not have a significant impact on your device. However, one potential issue to be aware of is the impact on swap space, as both Linux and Windows use parts of the hard drive to improve performance during computer operation.
By installing additional operating systems on the hard drive, you reduce the available space for that process. The solution here is clear: do not install additional operating systems if there is not enough remaining disk space. If you strongly desire dual booting on your device, you can simply purchase a new hard drive to provide space for more operating systems.
