UEFI Dual Boot: Install Two Fedora on Same Hard Drive

Are you interested in trying out the latest features and updates in Fedora, but not ready to give up your current setup? Dual booting two different versions of Fedora on the same hard drive is a great solution! This allows you to test out new software and see if it works for you, without having to fully commit to a new operating system. In this article, we will walk you through the process of setting up a UEFI dual boot for two different versions of Fedora on the same hard drive.

What is UEFI?

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is a modern replacement for the traditional BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) that was used in older computers. It provides a more secure and flexible platform for booting your operating system. One of the key benefits of UEFI is that it allows for the use of the GPT (GUID Partition Table) partitioning scheme, which supports larger hard drives and allows for more than four primary partitions. This is useful for dual booting multiple operating systems on the same hard drive.

Preparing Your Hard Drive

Before you can install the second Fedora, you will need to partition your hard drive. This can be done using the built-in Disk Utility or the GParted partition editor. The exact steps will depend on the partitioning scheme you are using (GPT or MBR) and the size of your hard drive. However, the general process is as follows:

1. Launch the Disk Utility or GParted.
2. Select the hard drive you want to partition.
3. Create a new partition for the second Fedora. This should be at least 10 GB in size. Make sure to format it as a Linux filesystem (such as ext4).
4. Create a new EFI system partition. This should be at least 100 MB in size. Make sure to format it as a FAT32 filesystem.

Once you have partitioned your hard drive, you are ready to install the second Fedora.

Installing the Second Fedora

To install the second Fedora, you will need to boot the installation media (such as a USB drive or DVD) and follow the on-screen instructions. During the installation process, you will be prompted to select the partition where you want to install Fedora. Make sure to select the new partition you created earlier.

When you reach the "Installation Destination" screen, select the "Custom" option. This will allow you to manually select the partition where you want to install Fedora. Then, select the new partition you created earlier and click the "Change" button. In the "Partitioning Options" window, select the "Standard Partition" option and make sure to format the partition as a Linux filesystem (such as ext4).

Once you have selected the partition, click the "Done" button. The installation process will then begin. When it is finished, you will be prompted to reboot your system. Make sure to remove the installation media before you reboot.

Configuring the Boot Loader

After the installation is complete, you will need to configure the boot loader. This is the software that allows you to choose which operating system to boot when you start your computer. By default, the boot loader will be installed in the EFI system partition. However, you may need to manually add the second Fedora to the boot loader menu.

To do this, you will need to boot into the first Fedora and open the terminal. Then, enter the following command:

This will generate a new boot loader configuration file that includes the second Fedora. When you reboot your system, you should see the boot loader menu, which allows you to choose which Fedora to boot. If you do not see the second Fedora in the menu, you may need to manually add it using the grub2-editenv command.

Dual booting two Fedora on the same hard drive is a great way to test out new software and see if it works for you. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to set up a UEFI dual boot for two different versions of Fedora on the same hard drive. This will allow you to have the best of both worlds, with the stability and familiarity of your current Fedora, and the excitement and innovation of the latest Fedora.

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