Switching Back to Dual Boot: Windows and Ubuntu on KVM/QEMU
In today's world, dual booting has become a popular way to use multiple operating systems on a single machine. For those who have used KVM/QEMU to install Ubuntu on a separate partition and want to switch back to dual booting with Windows, this article is for you.
Background
KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) and QEMU (Quick Emulator) are two popular open-source virtualization technologies that allow users to run multiple operating systems on a single machine. These technologies are often used to create virtual machines (VMs) that run alongside the host operating system. However, it is also possible to install a guest operating system, such as Ubuntu, on a separate partition and dual boot it with the host operating system, Windows.
Switching Back to Dual Boot
If you have been using KVM/QEMU to run Ubuntu on a separate partition and now want to switch back to dual booting with Windows, you will need to take a few steps to make the transition. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
- Backup your data: Before making any changes to your system, it's important to backup any important data. This will help ensure that you don't lose any valuable information during the transition.
- Disable KVM/QEMU: To switch back to dual booting, you will need to disable KVM/QEMU. To do this, open the command prompt as an administrator and run the following command:
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype offThis will disable the hypervisor and allow you to boot directly into Windows.
- Reboot your machine: After disabling KVM/QEMU, reboot your machine to ensure that the changes take effect.
- Access the boot menu: During the boot process, press the appropriate key to access the boot menu. This key will vary depending on your machine, but it is often F12 or ESC.
- Select the Ubuntu partition: From the boot menu, select the partition where Ubuntu is installed. This will allow you to boot into Ubuntu without using KVM/QEMU.
- Install the GRUB bootloader: If you have not already installed the GRUB bootloader, you will need to do so now. This will allow you to choose which operating system to boot into at startup.
sudo apt-get install grubOnce installed, update the GRUB bootloader to ensure that it recognizes both operating systems:
sudo update-grub - Reboot your machine: After installing the GRUB bootloader, reboot your machine to ensure that the changes take effect.
- Choose your operating system: During the boot process, you should now see the GRUB bootloader, which will allow you to choose which operating system to boot into. Select Windows to boot into Windows, or Ubuntu to boot into Ubuntu.
Switching back to dual booting from KVM/QEMU is a relatively straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure a smooth transition and avoid losing any valuable data. Remember to always backup your data before making any changes to your system, and to take your time to ensure that everything is working properly.
References
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