Solving Dual Boot Issues with Samsung 870 EVO 2TB Drive and Windows 10
If you have recently purchased a Samsung 870 EVO 2TB drive and installed Windows 10, you may have encountered an issue where the drive automatically boots to Windows 10. This can be frustrating, especially if you intended to use the drive for dual booting with another operating system. In this article, we will cover the key concepts and steps to solve this issue and set up a successful dual boot configuration.
Understanding the Basics of Dual Booting
Dual booting refers to the ability to install and use multiple operating systems on a single computer. This is achieved by partitioning the hard drive, creating separate sections for each operating system. When the computer starts up, the user is presented with a boot menu, allowing them to choose which operating system to load.
In order to dual boot with a Samsung 870 EVO 2TB drive and Windows 10, you will need to partition the drive and install the second operating system on the new partition. However, if the drive is set to boot automatically to Windows 10, you will need to change the boot order in the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) settings.
Changing the Boot Order in BIOS
To change the boot order in BIOS, you will need to restart your computer and press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS setup. This key is typically displayed during the boot process, but it can vary depending on the manufacturer of your computer. Common keys include F1, F2, F10, ESC, and DEL.
Once in the BIOS setup, navigate to the boot order settings. This is typically found under the "Boot" or "System Configuration" menu. Use the arrow keys to highlight the Samsung 870 EVO 2TB drive and press the "+" key to move it to the top of the list. This will set the drive as the primary boot device.
Save the changes and exit the BIOS setup. Your computer should now boot to the Samsung 870 EVO 2TB drive, allowing you to access the boot menu and choose which operating system to load.
Partitioning the Samsung 870 EVO 2TB Drive
Before installing the second operating system, you will need to partition the Samsung 870 EVO 2TB drive. This can be done using the built-in Disk Management tool in Windows 10. To access this tool, right-click on the Start button and select "Disk Management".
In the Disk Management tool, locate the Samsung 870 EVO 2TB drive and right-click on it. Select "Shrink Volume" and follow the prompts to shrink the volume to the desired size. This will create unallocated space on the drive, which can be used to create a new partition.
To create a new partition, right-click on the unallocated space and select "New Simple Volume". Follow the prompts to format the new partition and assign it a drive letter. This new partition can now be used to install the second operating system.
Installing the Second Operating System
Once the new partition has been created, you can install the second operating system. This process will vary depending on the operating system you are installing, but it typically involves booting from the installation media and following the on-screen prompts. Be sure to select the new partition as the installation location.
- To dual boot with a Samsung 870 EVO 2TB drive and Windows 10, you will need to partition the drive and change the boot order in BIOS.
- To change the boot order in BIOS, restart your computer and press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS setup. Navigate to the boot order settings and move the Samsung 870 EVO 2TB drive to the top of the list.
- To partition the Samsung 870 EVO 2TB drive, use the built-in Disk Management tool in Windows 10. Shrink the volume to create unallocated space, then create a new simple volume on the unallocated space.
- To install the second operating system, boot from the installation media and follow the on-screen prompts. Be sure to select the new partition as the installation location.
References
- Microsoft. (2021). Shrink a basic volume. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/disk-management/shrink-a-basic-volume
- Samsung. (2021). Samsung 870 EVO SATA III 2.5" Internal SSD (MZ-77E2T0B/AM). https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/product/consumer/870evo/