How to Install Ubuntu on Microsoft Surface Pro 4 with Existing Windows

Install Ubuntu on Microsoft Surface Pro 4 with Existing Windows

This article will guide you through the process of installing Ubuntu on your Microsoft Surface Pro 4, which already has Windows installed. We will cover the key concepts, step-by-step instructions, and tips for a successful installation.

Why Dual Boot Ubuntu and Windows on Surface Pro 4?

Dual booting allows you to use both operating systems on the same device without requiring you to carry two devices or constantly switch between virtual machines. You can switch between Windows and Ubuntu at startup, giving you access to the best of both worlds.

Prepare the USB Stick and Surface Pro 4

To begin, you need a USB stick with sufficient space (at least 4GB) to store the Ubuntu installation files. Follow these steps to create a bootable USB stick:

• Download the Ubuntu ISO file from the official website (https://ubuntu.com/download).

• Download a tool like Rufus (https://rufus.ie/) or Etcher (https://etcher.io/) to create a bootable USB stick.

• Open the tool and select the downloaded ISO file, then choose the USB stick, and start the creation process.

Next, prepare the Surface Pro 4 to boot from the USB stick:

1. Restart your Surface Pro 4 and press and hold the Volume-Down button while pressing the Power button.

2. When the Microsoft logo appears, release the Power button, but keep holding the Volume-Down button until you see the "Choose an option" screen.

3. Select "Use a device" and then choose your USB stick.

Install Ubuntu on Surface Pro 4

After the system boots from the USB stick, the Ubuntu installer will start. If you want to test Ubuntu before installing, choose "Try Ubuntu." If you are ready to install, choose "Install Ubuntu":

1. Choose the language, then select "Normal installation" and "Download updates while installing Ubuntu."

2. On the "Installation type" screen, choose "Something else."

3. Find your Surface Pro 4's big partition with free space and click on it, then click on the "-" button to create a new partition:

   Size: 20 GiB
   Type for the new partition: Primary
   Location for the new partition: Beginning of this space
   Use as: Ext4 journaling file system
   Mount point: /
   

4. Click "Install Now," and then choose your time zone and set up your user account.

Post-Installation Configuration

After installation, configure additional settings and install necessary drivers and software:

1. If the Wi-Fi doesn't work, a firmware update might be required. Connect to the internet using a wired connection, then update the system:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt dist-upgrade
   

2. To improve touchscreen functionality and enable the on-screen keyboard, install the following packages:

   sudo apt install xserver-xorg-input-wacom
   sudo apt install onboard
   

3. Enable the type-cover backlight by creating a configuration file:

   sudo gedit /etc/systemd/system/typecover-brightness.service
   

   Paste the following content:

   [Unit]
   Description=Type-cover backlight fix
   
   [Service]
   Type=oneshot
   ExecStart=/bin/sh -c 'echo 100 > /sys/class/leds/surface::kbd\_brightness'
   
   [Install]
   WantedBy=multi-user.target
   

   Save and exit, then start the service:

   sudo systemctl start typecover-brightness
   sudo systemctl enable typecover-brightness
   

• Downloaded Ubuntu ISO, prepared a USB stick using Rufus or Etcher, and configured Surface Pro 4 to boot from USB.
• Installed Ubuntu alongside Windows, set up the mount point for the new partition, and updated the system.
• Installed necessary drivers and software for Wi-Fi, touchscreen, and type-cover functionality.

References

• Rufus: https://rufus.ie/
• Etcher: https://etcher.io/
• Ubuntu Download: https://ubuntu.com/download
• Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Dual Boot: https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/wiki/Surface-Pro-4