[kwlug-disc] Got a new laptop and I need it to still run Windows :-(

[Remi Gauvin]

Now that EFI has almost completely supplanted BIOS boot, this is much
easier to do than ever before.  My suggestions for a smoother operation.

1. If starting from a blank drive, (if, for example, previous failed
attempt resulted in drive erase for recovery, or just for secure
erase.).. Install Windows first.

1b.  There is a registry option in windows to disable the Secure Boot
check... If you don't need secure boot, it will only get in your way, so
try disabling it in BIOS, then force windows to accept this new reality.

2. If Windows is already installed and taking up the full drive, shrink
windows partition within the Windows Drive manager, (if possible,,,
windows will not be able to shrink a life filesystem past a certain
point where unmovable files are located.)

3. and probably the most important part.  When you are booting your
Linux install media,, make certain that the BIOS is booting EFI and and
not legacy BIOS boot.  Many systems still enable legacy boot media as an
option in the boot menu, and some even use it by default.  This will be
bad.  When started in Legacy Boot, the linux installer will not install
the EFI and will try to create a legacy boot sector,, that will then
conflict with Windows in weird and interesting ways.

4. When finished, and grub is installed, you should be able to boot to
Widows from the Grub menu,, *or* choose the Windows Boot manager from
your BIOS boot options..  Either way should work equally well.