Two in One PCs: Your Ultimate Guide to Hybrid Computing

The days when you couldn't put two operating systems on your computer are over. With a virtual machine, you can do things like install Windows and Linux one after the other. It can be helpful to have two operating systems on your computer at times. Read this post if you want to know how to run the latest version of Windows and another OS that has the features you want. This article from Aomei Partition Assistant can teach you how to set up two different operating systems on the same computer. Let's get going.

Can You Install Two Operating Systems in One Computer?

"Is it possible to install one OS on my SSD disk partition and another on my HDD disk partition?" is one question that might have stumped you.

In a word, yes. It is possible to do that. This is known as dual booting. You can keep your operating systems separate by giving each one its own partition on the hard drive.

The uses and benefits of different operating systems, like Windows 10 and 11, are not all the same. When you install more than one operating system on a computer, you can quickly switch between them and use the best one for the job. The ease of use also makes it easier to try out different operating systems.

You can dual-boot one Windows and another, like Windows 11 and Windows 10. This article will show you how to do it. Read on!

Preparations for Setting Up Two Operating Systems on a Computer

Before installing two OS on your computer, what do you need to dual-boot Windows? Actually, there are a few things to figure out before you begin.

• Download the second operating system you want, such as Windows 10 or 11.
• As always, you should back up your data using reliable backup software because there is no assurance that nothing will go wrong. Taking the chance is not worth trying.
• Installing a new hard drive or using the Windows Disk Management Tool to create a new partition on an existing one.
• A USB drive or other external storage device with enough space is also required to create a bootable USB drive.

How to Run Two Operating Systems on One Computer

Now that you have everything ready, let's get to our main point: how to put two Windows operating systems on one computer. There are four steps to this installation process. If something goes wrong, you must carefully follow them. Come on over to see how to do it.

1. Create a Bootable USB Drive

A professional tool like Windows To Go Creator of AOMEI Partition Assistant is the best and easiest way to make a bootable USB. You can use it to effectively burn ISO files to a USB, and use it to another PC, even you are using a Mac.

• Connect a USB drive with at least 13GB with your computer.

• download Windows Installation file or prepare a PC running with the system you need.

• Back up the USB drive, or store to the data to the Backup Cloud.

Step 1. Insert an empty USB drive (over 32GB) to a Windows computer via USB port. It is better to choose USB drive from famous manufacturers such as Samsung, SanDisk, Kingston, etc.

Step 2. Select “Tools” on the main interface and hit “Windows To Go Creator”.

Step 3. In the pop-out small window, select “Create Windows ToGo for Mac computer” and hit on “Next”.

Step 4. Then select source file (the Windows 10 ISO files you have download) by clicking the folder icon and click “Next”.

Step 5. Select the USB drive you have plugged in and hit on “Proceed”.

Note: you can click the “Advanced” button to choose the type of created system and target system startup mode.

Step 6. Then wait for the process to be done.

It'll take a long time to put Windows on a USB drive. After the installation is done, you can safely take the USB drive off of the Windows computer and connect it to the Mac computer you want to use. If your Mac computer only has a USB-C port, you will need a USB C Transformer adapter to connect the USB drives.

Next, turn on the Mac's power supply and press the Option button right away. To run Windows on a Mac through a USB drive, choose your drive and click on it again.

2. Create a New Partition

You need to have enough space on the drive where you want to install Windows 2 if you want to do that. This might be hard to do if you don't have much storage space. For example, dual booting Windows 10 and 11 should need about 20 to 25 GB of free space, but we usually suggest at least 50 to 100 GB.

Related article: [Useful Guide] How to Free Up Disk Space on PC

You can perform the following steps to create a new partition using Disk Management Tool, AOMEI Partition Assistant.

Step 1. Hold down the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialogue box. Then type diskmgmt.msc and press Enter.

Step 2. You will see a list of the partitions on your hard drive. First, select the primary partition, usually C drive, then right-click it and select Shrink Volume.

Step 3. In the box near Enter the amount of space you want to shrink in MB, input a number, then click the Shrink.

Enter 25000 to make a 25GB partition on your hard drive. If you do this, you can change the partition and make room for Windows 10 or 11.  Wait for the process to finish, and you will get an unallocated volume.

3. Make some Preparations for Your PC

You need to get your computer ready for installation before you put another Windows on it. Here's how to get your PC ready. Let's look at Windows 10.

Step 1. Turn off Fast Boot

You can disable Windows' Fast Boot by doing the steps shown below.

• In the Windows search bar, type Control Panel and then open it.
• Click Power Options.
• Tap Choose what the power button does.
• Hit Change settings that are currently unavailable.
• Ensure that the bottom box labeled "Turn on fast startup (Recommended)" is not checked. Then click Save Changes.

Step 2. Enter BIOS on your computer

To install a second operating system, the BIOS will require some changes. Each computer brand and model has a unique way of accessing the BIOS. You may enter the BIOS on some computers by pressing one of the function keys (such as F1, F2, F9, or F12), Esc, or Delete while your computer is booting up. The steps listed below can also be used to reboot the BIOS in Windows.

• Click the Windows 10 Start menu.
• Click the Power icon.
• Hold down Shift and click Restart.
• Click Troubleshoot.
• Click Advanced Options: UEFI Firmware Settings
• Click Restart.

Step 3. Disable Secure Boot

Every computer has a different BIOS menu. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to get to the BIOS menu. Most of the time, you can get to Secure Boot through the Security, Boot, or Authentication menus. Change the status of Secure Boot to "Disabled" when you find it.

Step 4. Change the boot order to boot from a USB

Usually, you can find this in the Boot menu. Change the boot order menu so that a USB drive starts up first.

Step 5. Save settings

Once you have made the needed changes to the BIOS, look for a way to save your settings. Then, save your changes and restart your computer by using the "save and exit" option in the BIOS.

4. Install a Second Operating System

Now, let us come to the last part, how to install the second OS on your computer. Follow the instructions below to install Windows step by step:

Step 1. Insert the bootable USB drive into your computer.

Step 2. You should restart your computer if it is on. If not, turn on your computer by pressing the power button, which will cause it to start from the USB drive.

Step 3. You can see the setup program for the operating system if your computer successfully boots from the bootable USB drive.

Step 4. You should see a screen that looks like the one below. Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).

Step 5. Choose a partition labeled "Unallocated Space" when asked where to install Windows. After Selecting the partition, click "Apply" and "Next".

Note: It should be 25GB or whatever size you specify when creating the partition.

When the installation procedure continues, wait a short while. Once done, you'll be given the option between the two operating systems each time you turn on your device.

Conclusion

Set up two operating systems on one computer can greatly improve your work efficiency and flexibility.Whether you want to take advantage of the unique features of different operating systems or just want to separate your personal and professional environments, double boot is an effective solution.Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily create a bootable USB drive, partition a hard drive, adjust your BIOS settings, and install a second operating system.

With the help of tools such as AOMEI Partition Assistant, even a double-boot beginner can easily complete this process.Start now and enjoy the benefits of the two operating systems!

FAQs

1. Can I install two different versions of Windows on the same computer? Yes, you can install two different versions of Windows on the same computer using the dual-boot method. This involves creating separate partitions for each version of Windows.

2. Do I need a special tool to create a bootable USB drive? While you can create a bootable USB drive using various methods, tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant's Windows To Go Creator make the process easier and more reliable.

3. How much storage space do I need for dual-booting Windows 10 and Windows 11? Ideally, you should allocate at least 20-25GB of space for each operating system, but having 50-100GB of free space is recommended for better performance and additional software installations.

4. What should I do if my computer does not boot from the USB drive? Ensure that the USB drive is properly created and inserted. Check your BIOS settings to make sure the boot order is set to boot from the USB drive first. Also, disable Secure Boot if necessary.

5. Is it safe to dual-boot two operating systems? Yes, it is generally safe to dual-boot two operating systems as long as you follow the steps correctly and back up your data before starting the process. Dual-booting allows you to keep each operating system isolated in its own partition, reducing the risk of conflicts.