How to Install Pop!_OS and Set Up Dual Boot With Windows

In this guide, Linux Simplify will walk you through the complete process of installing Pop!_OS and setting it up alongside Windows in a dual boot configuration. Pop!_OS is a clean and modern Linux distribution created by System76, known for its smooth performance and user friendly desktop.

This article is written step by step so beginners can follow along easily and understand what happens on each screen.

1. Download Pop!_OS

The first step is downloading the Pop!_OS ISO file from the official System76 website. Make sure to choose the correct version for your hardware:

• Pop!_OS (Intel/AMD) for integrated or AMD graphics
• Pop!_OS for Nvidia with built-in Nvidia drivers

Official download:

• Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS Download

Scroll down and select the version that matches your GPU.

2. Prepare Your System Before Installation

Before installing Pop!_OS, prepare your hardware and Windows installation to avoid common issues.

You should have:

• A USB flash drive (4 GB minimum)
• 20 to 30 GB free disk space for Pop!_OS
• A full backup of important files
• Devices booting in UEFI mode

Most modern laptops already use UEFI by default, so you usually do not need to change BIOS settings unless you modified them in the past.

3. Disable Fast Startup in Windows

Fast Startup must be turned off because it prevents Windows from shutting down completely, which can cause problems with dual boot and locked partitions.

1. Open Control Panel > Power Options
2. Select Choose what the power buttons do
3. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable
4. Uncheck Turn on fast startup
5. Save the changes

This ensures Pop!_OS can access the Windows partition safely during installation.

4. Create Free Space for Pop!_OS

You need to prepare disk space for Pop!_OS using Windows Disk Management.

1. Press Windows key + X and open Disk Management
2. Find the C: drive
3. Right click and select Shrink Volume
4. Enter a size, for example 40000 for 40 GB
5. Click Shrink

This will create Unallocated Space that will be used as the target for installing Pop!_OS.

5. Create a Pop!_OS Live USB

Use Balena Etcher to create a bootable USB drive from the Pop!_OS ISO.

1. Open Etcher and select the Pop!_OS ISO file
2. Select your USB drive
3. Click Flash

After the flashing process completes, the USB installer is ready to use.

6. Boot From the Pop!_OS USB

1. Insert the USB installer
2. Restart your computer
3. Press the boot menu key (F2, F10, F12, or Esc, depending on your device)
4. Select the USB drive as the boot device

On first boot you will briefly see Pop!_OS starting services in text mode before the graphical installer appears.

After a short while, the Pop!_OS installer will open automatically.

7. Installing Pop!_OS Step by Step

The steps below show the complete installation flow, including screenshots from the installer.

Step 1: Select the Installer Language

On the first screen, choose the language you want to use during installation. For most users, English is a good default.

Click Select to continue.

Step 2: Choose Your Region or Country

The installer then asks you to pick your region. This is used for time settings, number formats and other localization features. Choose the country you are in, such as United States or your own region.

Click Select again to move on.

Step 3: Choose the Keyboard Language

Now select the keyboard language, for example English (US) or English (UK). This should match the labels printed on your physical keyboard.

If you are unsure, English (US) is usually safe.

Step 4: Choose the Keyboard Layout Variant

The next screen lets you choose the layout variant. Most users can leave this as Default. Only change this if you know you are using a special layout like Dvorak or Colemak.

Click Select to continue to the installation type.

Step 5: Select the Installation Mode

Pop!_OS now shows two main choices:

• Clean Install to erase the entire disk
• Custom (Advanced) to manually manage partitions

For a dual boot setup you must choose Custom (Advanced). This allows you to keep Windows and install Pop!_OS alongside it.

After selecting it, click Next.

Step 6: Open the Partition Editor

The next screen lists your drive. At the bottom there is a button labeled Modify Partitions. This opens the full partition editor so you can create or adjust partitions.

Click Modify Partitions to launch the GParted partition editor.

Step 7: Create a GPT Partition Table (If Needed)

If you are installing Pop!_OS on a clean disk or a virtual machine, you may need to create a new partition table. In GParted, open the Device menu and choose Create Partition Table.

In the dialog, set the type to gpt, which is recommended for modern UEFI systems.

Click Apply. Remember that this step erases all data on that disk, so only do it on an empty drive or a test environment.

Step 8: Create a New ext4 Partition

Once the disk appears as unallocated, right click the free space and choose New to create a partition for Pop!_OS.

The Create New Partition window will appear. Here you can set:

• Size: use most of the available space or the amount you planned for Pop!_OS
• Create as: Primary Partition
• File system: ext4

When the options look correct, click Add.

Step 9: Apply the Partition Changes

GParted now shows the new partition as a pending operation. To actually write the changes to disk, click the checkmark button at the top.

A warning dialog appears explaining that modifying partitions can cause data loss if used on a disk with files. Since you are working on a clean target area, confirm by clicking Apply.

Wait until the progress bar reaches the end and GParted reports that all operations completed successfully, then click Close.

You should now see your new ext4 partition listed, for example as /dev/sda1.

Close GParted to return to the Pop!_OS installer.

Step 10: Assign the Root Partition

Back in the installer, the partition you created will appear in the list. Select it and configure it as follows:

• Turn on Use partition
• Turn on Format
• Use as: Root (/)
• Filesystem: Default (ext4)

When you are sure that the correct partition is selected, click Erase and Install to start installing Pop!_OS into that partition.

Step 11: Create a User Account

The installer now asks you to create your main user account. Enter your full name and the username you want to use. The username will also be used as the name of your home folder.

Click Next to continue.

Step 12: Set Your Password

Next, choose a password for your account and confirm it in the second field. Make sure the password is easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess.

Click Next after both password fields match.

Step 13: Wait for the Installation to Finish

Pop!_OS will now copy files and configure the system on the partition you selected. This step may take several minutes depending on the speed of your storage device.

When the process is complete, the installer will tell you that the system is ready to restart.

Step 14: Restart and Boot Into Pop!_OS

Click the restart button when prompted, then remove the USB installer so the computer boots from the internal drive.

After rebooting, you will arrive at the Pop!_OS desktop for the first time. This confirms that the installation was successful.

You can now start exploring Pop!_OS, launch applications, and customize the system.

8. After Installation

Once Pop!_OS has loaded, there are a few important things you should do to finish your setup:

• Run system updates to make sure you have the latest security patches and software versions
• Verify GPU drivers, especially if you are using an Nvidia graphics card
• Open Pop!_Shop to install your favourite applications, such as browsers, editors and media tools
• Customize appearance, keyboard shortcuts and workspace behavior to match your workflow

At this point your dual boot system with Windows and Pop!_OS is ready for daily use.

Conclusion

Dual booting Pop!_OS with Windows gives you the flexibility to enjoy Linux while keeping your existing Windows environment fully accessible. By carefully following each step in this guide, from preparing free space in Windows to assigning the correct partitions and creating your user account, you can build a clean and stable system for work or study.

If you encounter problems such as missing boot entries or partition errors, you can go back through the steps and verify your configuration. With a bit of patience, Pop!_OS and Windows can run side by side smoothly on the same machine, and Linux Simplify hopes this walkthrough makes the whole process easier to understand.