Hi everyone, I’m trying to install Zorin OS 18 on a PC that currently has Windows 11 installed. Unfortunately, when I get to the screen where you choose the type of installation, the option to install Zorin alongside Windows doesn’t appear. The only option I see is to erase the disk and install Zorin. What could be causing this?
Hi and welcome.
I suspect the reason it is not showing could be one of several things. Check that Windows 11 is using GPT. You can check this by using Zorin in 'Try Zorin' by launching GParted. I'm aware of older versions of Windows on Notebooks would prevent this because they would create mbr installs with 4 partitions, all marked Primary, the maximum number of partitions under mbr. GPT offers unlimited partitions. First you should remove Secure Boot and Fast Boot in the BIOS, and disable Fast Boot within the OS itself via hidden Power Options. You then need to use Windows Disk Management to shrink the partition that holds C:, where Windows resides. But before that ensure you make Windows repair media before doing anything else or use the install media if you have it in case you need to make repairs to Windows. It is then a case of installing Zorin on the free space and making sure that GRUB is located at the start of the partition you intend to install Zorin too. Microsoft are intentionally making it harder to install other Operating Systems.
1 Like
Welcome to the Forum!
Is Your BIOS in UEFI or Legacy Mode? What Tool did You use to create the bootable USB Stick with Zorin on it? Are secure Boot and Fast Boot in BIOs disabled? Is Fast Start-Up in Windows disabled?