How To Dual Boot Windows 11 With Windows 10? [Guide]

Dual Boot Windows 11 With Windows 10

Here, in this article, we will talk about how to dual boot Windows 11 with Windows 10. It’s been a while since Windows 11 beta built (Insider Preview) has been released. And the eligible Windows 10 users have given so many good reviews for this update.

This version has come with huge visual changes, improved functions, improved design elements, multi-task ability, and many more exciting features. But if you are thinking about installing this beta version on your device without deleting the previous Windows 10 version, this article might come to your help.

Method To Dual Boot Windows 11 With Windows 10

If you have a dual boot function on your device, you can easily dual boot Windows 11 with Windows 10. In fact, you can run either of them individually.

Creating a dual boot sequence and partition is not as complex as it sounds. All you need to create a dual boot partition that consists, A Windows 11 ISO file, a flashable USB Pendrive, enough storage space, and a compatible device to run Windows 11. Also, you need to be patient enough while undergoing the process.

Once you have gathered all these components, get the Windows 11 ISO image file and create a bootable flash drive if you already have a USB Pendrive. But if you don’t have a USB Pendrive, you can directly mount that ISO image file.

Note: Before performing the steps below, make sure to take a backup of the important data.

1. Download Windows 11 ISO

  • First, make sure you visit the UUP Dump website.
  • Now, search for the latest Windows 11 Dev/Beta channel release. Download it once found.
  • You need to download the software according to your device’s architecture. To find out the architecture of your device, go to Windows Settings > About. You can find the System Type under Device Specification.
  • When you click on Windows 11 Insider Preview link, select Language > Next.
  • Here, make sure to select the Windows 11 OS edition according to the Windows 10 edition from Windows Specification (Windows settings > About).
  • Now, click on Next > Select Download and convert to ISO.
  • After that, click on Create download package. A compressed zip file will start downloading now.
  • Now, extract the zip file into a folder > Double click on ‘uup_download_windows‘ file while using Windows on your device.
  • A command prompt or Terminal window will appear on the screen. There you can see the download progress. It is actually the Windows 11 Insider beta version download.
  • Wait till the download finishes, and you will be asked to Press 0 to exit. Do what the command says, and exit the command prompt.
  • Now, go to the previously extracted zip folder and check if the Windows 11 ISO file is available.

If you find it, go for the next step. If not, disable the antivirus software temporarily and again do the same procedure to download the ISO file.

2. Create Windows 11 Bootable Media 

It is highly recommended that you use the Windows 10 media creation tool from Microsoft’s official website for Windows 11.

So, first and foremost thing, you need to create Windows 11 bootable USB drive using Rufus.

3. Shrink a Volume or Disk Partition

After creating Bootable media, you need to shrink the current partition to create another disk space for the installation of Windows 11. To do this, follow the steps.

  • Press Windows + R to open the RUN dialogue box.
  • Now, type diskmgmt.msc and click on OK. The Disk management will be opened.
Type Command In The Run Box
  • After that, select a drive that has enough storage space to install the Windows 11. Right-click on any volume and select Shrink volume.
Click On Shrink Volume
  • A dialogue box will appear on the screen. There you need to enter how much storage space you want to shrink. After entering, click on Shrink.
Enter The Amount And Click Shrink

Note: You have to enter the amount in MBs.

(Example: If the current volume is 150000 MB or 150 GB, you enter 70000 MB for shrink. It will shrink the current volume up to 80 GB. The remaining 70 GB will be left as unallocated storage space.

4. Create a new volume

Now, if you want to create a new volume, then you have to right-click on the unallocated storage space.

  • Click New Simple Volume and select it.
Click On New Simple Volume
  • Now from the New Simple Volume wizard menu, click Next.
  • Make sure that you enter the specific storage space size for the new volume. After entering, click on Next.
  • Now, you will get a drop-down list. You will have to assign any of the drive letter options from the list and click on Next.
  • After that, select Format this volume with the following settings: from the wizard.
  • Next thing, you have to select NTFS for the File System, then set the Allocation unit size as Default and the Volume Label as Windows 11.
  • Also, click on the Checkmark to Perform a quick format option.
Click On The Next To Proceed
  • And the last step is, click on the Finish button to create the desired partition on your device.

5. Install Windows 11 with Windows 10 (Dual boot)

No matter if you want to mount and install the Windows 11 ISO image, or just use a bootable USB flash drive. You’ll find both options in this article.

Mount and install the Windows 11 ISO image

  • First, you right-click on the ISO image file and click on Mount. Once the image has been mounted, it will appear as a new drive under your device.
  • Now, you have to open the ISO folder and run the setup.exe file.
Run The Setup File
  • After that, click on Yes if prompted by UAC. This will run the Windows 11 installation screen, where you have to select No thanks.
Click On No Thanks
  • Now, accept the terms and conditions and select Next.
  • Then, select the Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) option.
  • Next, from Where do you want to install your Windows screen, select the newly created disc volume for Windows 11 and then click on Next.

That’s all you need to do here. The Windows 11 OS will now start getting installed on your device. This process might take some time to get completed and the device might restart several times on its own during the process. You do not need to worry about that.

Using a bootable USB flash drive

If you want to connect a flash drive to do the job, you have to follow the following steps.

  • First, either turn on your device or restart it. During the boot process, keep pressing the BIOS/SETUP/BOOT key continuously until you see the boot from DVD/USB screen. One thing you need to make note that the keys may vary to the brand or the model of the device.
  • Now, once you see that the boot is from DVD/USB screen, select the Boot sequence on the device to that inserted Windows 10 USB bootable drive as a priority.
  • After you select the inserted Windows 10 drive as a primary boot device, you need to restart the computer again.

Note: Don’t remove the Windows 10 drive or unplug the power cable.

  • Now, press any key when you get prompted to ‘Press any key to boot from CD or DVD…’ by the computer.
  • Follow the instructions given on-screen to proceed even further.
  • Make sure to select the preferred language, Time & currency format, keyboard, or input method from the next screen you see.
  • After that, click on the Next button and then on Install now.
Click On Install Now To Proceed
  • Now, click on Accept all terms and conditions and click Next.
  • After that, click to select the Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) option.
Click On The Advanced Option To Proceed
  • Select the newly created volume for Windows 11 from the list and click Next.
Select The Partition And Click Next
  • Now, follow the on-screen instructions to proceed.

After carrying out these instructions, you will see the Windows 11 OS installation process has been started. Now, you just need to wait for the installation to get completed. After that, restart the computer and you are all done.

If You Are unable to see the Dual Boot option

Even after following the instructions if you can not see the dual boot option during restart, you might need to disable the fast startup option on your device. To disable the fast startup features, follow the steps.

  • First, click on the Windows Start menu and type Control panel in the search bar.
Click On Control Panel
  • Now, click on the Control panel and open it. Then, head over to System and Security.
Choose System And Security
  • Select the Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.
Choose The Power Options
  • Then click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Click On The Option Mentioned
  • Now, uncheck the Turn on fast startup checkbox > Save changes.
Uncheck The Option

How to choose the default Windows OS at Startup?

From now on you will get a boot option to select every time you boot your device. You have to choose between Windows 10 and Windows 11 from the boot option. But if you don’t want to see this prompt each time you boot the computer, follow these steps and set a default Windows OS for the device.

  • Press Windows + I to open Windows settings.
  • Now, go to System and head over to About.
Click On System
  • Click on the Advanced System Settings under the Related settings option.
Click On Advanced System Settings
  • Click on Settings from Startup and Recovery section.
Select Preferred Windows OS
  • Select your preferred Windows OS version from the drop-down list.
  • Set the Time to display the list of OSs and the Time to display recovery options when required.
  • Finally, click OK to save the changes and restart your device.
Set The Time And Click OK

Conclusion

If you have gone through the article thoroughly, you can easily dual boot Windows 11 with Windows 10. These methods will even allow you to check out the updated version’s improved or newly added features without deleting the previous Windows 10 system. It lets you explore the differences between the two versions which in turn helps you to decide if you want to switch to the new version or not.

Can Windows 11 dual boot?

Yes, Windows 11 can dual boot.

Can you have a dual boot with Windows 10?

Yes, you can dual boot with Windows 10.

Can I install Windows 11 on Windows 10?

Yes, you can install Windows 11 on Windows 10.