People might have various requirements when it comes to their computer’s operating system. But all of them would want their devices to be fast.
Now, when it comes to speed, Linux occupies the top position among all operating systems. But, that’s not the only thing that it can offer you. It has many other great features as well.
One of the most convenient features of Linux is that you can dual boot it on your computer. In case you’re wondering, it means that you can keep the older system that you were using. Not only that, but you can boot it directly from a storage device.
Can you dual boot Linux on your Surface Pro 7?
Linux offers you a wide range of distribution software. So, you must choose the one that suits your requirements the best. Now, in case you’re wondering, all Linux Distros allow you to do that.
So, you can boot it on your Surface Pro 7, without getting rid of Windows. Moreover, you’d only need a USB stick for this task.
Yet, it’s not always as simple as it might seem to you. Thus, you must follow the simple method we’ve mentioned for dual-booting Linux on your Surface Pro.
Users often report data loss from their Linux system. Now, there are various ways to fix that issue. Here’s the professional Linux data recovery first way, you should try.
Preparing your Surface Pro 7 to dual boot Linux
Before you proceed to dual boot Linux, you need to prepare your Surface Pro for it. So, here are some of the steps you must take before you prepare the bootable media:
1. Create a backup
Your device might often face an error while you dual boot Linux on it. In such cases, you might often face data loss on your computer. Backing up your data is the best way to avoid such issues. So, you must do that before you proceed with the next steps. Also, regular backups are a great way to make sure that your data is always protected.
2. Format your USB
As mentioned before, you need a USB drive to boot Linux on your device. But, before that, you need to format your USB stick. Also, use one that has a capacity of at least 8 GB. Now, you can simply use third-party software to format your USB drive. Apart from that, you can do it from your device with the following methods:
Using the File Explorer
Connect your USB stick to your Surface Pro 7 and find this drive in the File Explorer. Then, right-click it and opt for formatting it to a file system of your choice.
Which format should you select for your drive? By default, your device selects the FAT32 format for this purpose. But, in case you’re wondering, you can simply choose anyone you prefer.
Through the Disk Management
As an alternative, you can also go to Disk Management to format your USB drive. And, for that, you can simply use the Start Menu search bar. Look for your USB drive among the drives listed there and right-click it. Opt-for Format and configure the volume and file system.
Apart from that, you must also check the box for the quick formatting option. Go through your configuration, and then proceed by clicking on OK. Wait while your device formats the USB stick within a short time.
Also Read – Kali Linux: How to Update and Install this Linux Tool
Dual-booting Linux on your Surface Pro 7
Once you complete the above-mentioned preparation steps, you’re ready to dual-boot Linux on your device. For that, you must proceed with the following steps:
A. Download a Linux Distro on your USB drive
As mentioned before, there are many Linux Distros you can choose from. Some feature interfaces are similar to Windows systems. So, being a Surface Pro user, you might want to get one of those Distros. Apart from that, there are suitable Distros for developers as well.
Regardless of which one you want, you can get it from Linux’s official website. Download it on your USB drive and proceed with creating the bootable media for the software.
B. Prepare a bootable USB drive
You can’t boot Linux right away on your device after downloading it. You must prepare a bootable USB drive first. And, for that, you must mount the software you downloaded on your USB stick. Further, you’d need suitable third-party software to do that.
Regardless of the program you use, the process is somewhat similar. Select the Linux Distro, and then specify the location to install it on your pen drive. Then, proceed with mounting the .iso file and wait while your device completes the process.
Once you’ve created the bootable media, you can finally boot or install the system on your device.
C. Boot Linux on your Surface Pro 7
Your Windows device has a Secure boot feature to prevent it from booting suspicious systems. Thus, this feature might often cause issues when you try to boot Linux on your device. So, you must disable Secure Boot first before you proceed.
And, for that, you need to switch off your device. After that, hold down the power and volume up button at the same time. Release it only after the screen shows a list of options. Then, opt to disable the Secure Boot feature from your device.
Once you’re done, your device will restart automatically. After that, you must perform an advanced restart through the Recovery section in your Settings. Then, opt for booting your USB drive when you see the option on the screen. This will boot the Linux system on your device. You can boot it directly from the pen drive every time or install it on your Surface Pro. The latter would help you save some space on your hard drive.
How will your Surface Pro 7 benefit from a Linux system?
Not all Linux Distros might be suitable for your requirements. But, all of them have some great features to offer you. So, here are some pros that you’ll find in all Linux distros in general:
a. High stability
The original Windows system on your Surface Pro can provide you with optimal stability. But, Linux is generally more stable as compared to that. It’s one of the best systems when it comes to this aspect. So, they’ll surely provide you with a more stable performance than ever on your Surface Pro.
b. Enhanced performance
Want a more powerful performance on your Surface Pro? Installing Linux is the best way to ensure that. After all, it’s one of the most powerful systems that you can find. Moreover, as mentioned before, it’s faster than other systems as well.
c. Better security
Linux can enhance the security that your Surface Pro’s original system provides you. Apart from other things, it’s also the most secure operating system. With the constant rise in cyber threats nowadays, that’s a great feature that all users would want.
Finally……
Linux is a flexible operating system that you can get on your Surface Pro for free. Also, you can easily install it on your device or use it as a portable system. In any case, the method given here is the easiest one you can use for doing that.
