Dual-boot with Zorin OS 18.1 and Windows 11 on a Surface Book 2-15

Installing Zorin OS
,
1

I would like to install Zorin OS 18.1 alongside the existing Windows 11 Pro on a Surface Book 2-15.
Preparations I’ve made: 1. Windows 11 uses the GPT partition style. 2. BitLocker is disabled. 3. In UEFI (Surface UEFI), Secure Boot is disabled and the following settings have been configured (see Image 1). 4. The mouse stick has been removed.

I can start the installation of Zorin OS 18.1 by holding down the volume-down button on the speaker (the boot button on Surface laptops) and complete several steps in the installation process. The Zorin preview appears, offering the option to test the system.
After selecting German as the language and choosing 'Install Zorin OS', installing the two software updates and starting the dual-boot setup, the process fails towards the end of the installation. I am prompted to disable BitLocker (which I have already done) and restart the computer.
After restarting, the following message appears: 'Please remove the installation medium, then press ENTER'. When I remove the Zorin OS 18.1 installation USB drive and press ENTER, the error message 'Couldn't find a bootable operating system. Check the boot configuration to try to fix this”. Following this prompt and re-enabling all boot options in the Surface boot menu (see Image 2) allows Windows to boot again.
What’s my problem?
Which settings do I need to correct?
Is Microsoft or Windows 11 on the Surface Book 2-15 intentionally preventing the Zorin installation?
Thank you for your help. Best regards,

Figure 1
Figure 11200×691 68.2 KB

Figure 2
Figure 21200×663 69.6 KB

Rainer

2

Perhaps this guide can help you:

2 Likes
3

My first question is, did you shrink the partition that Windows resides on using Windows Disk Management? This gives the appropriate space that Windows can give up without upsetting Windows.

This was always my preferred method of dual-booting GNU/Linux alongside Windows on the same drive as Windows. I have seen countless posts on various sites where the option to "Install alongside ..." has failed.

Lastly, do not read or write to/from your Windows partition due to the way Windows drive never turns off as you could end up with corrupt files.

4

I would suggest to try the Installation offline - or at least without installing Updates during the Installation.

And when installed take a Look at @Forpli's linked Help Article. There You have a Description to add a fiiting Kernel for Your Surface Device.

1 Like