Completely new Linux user here. It's my first time dual booting Windows 11 and Zorin OS. They each are contained on separate SSDs, both internal to my laptop.
Upon installation of Zorin OS was done, I tried to boot into W11 just to see if it wasn't affected. Windows Hello PIN and biometrics needed a reset, so I did (panicked here 'cause I thought I wont be able to access my W11 drive again). I restarted the laptop just to see if this is a recurring problem. Grub launched Zorin OS by default, so I rebooted to W11. This time, Windows Hello wasn't affected but the system clock changed. I changed it to the correct local time. Then I read that disabling Fast Startup is recommended, and so I did that. Then did a windows security update. Restarted, now Windows Hello needed resetting again. This is becoming annoying.
What measures should I do to prevent this from happening again? I want the setup to be: boot into Windows by default as for now, it's still gonna be my daily driver. Zorin OS will be booted up if I want it so. I also worry about future Windows updates making these problems resurface (or new problems to occur).
If it helps, this is how I did the installation of Zorin:
used balenaEtcher
chose the 2nd option, which is to erase disk, then chose the 2nd (empty) SSD on "Device for boot loader installation"
did not do anything with the + - Change...
Some solutions I saw talk about disabling Secure Boot, Fast Boot, TPM. But those seem scary to me. Could someone shed light on this?
Hello and welcome,
Did you disable secure boot in your Bios ? it coud be a problem with windows if it's disabled.
When you are on windows go to power setting and disable fast startup.
Usually, Balena Etcher has caused issues in the past. Most people on here recommend two alternatives, Rufus and Ventoy.
When you boot into Zorin, have you tried updating GRUB? This usually picks up other OS entries.
I don't know much about PIN problems as when I have installed Windows for family members I install it so that they have a local account with a password.
Clock issues are a known problem when dual-booting With Windows.
Take a look here regarding discrepancies with time:
What does Rufus and Ventoy do that's different from balenaEtcher? How do I update GRUB? What I did was set Windows to boot as first priority through the UEFI.
I re-enabled secure boot now. Fast Startup was already disabled before I posted the query.
Disabling Fast Startup seems to be the only consistent recommendation. The others I listed down to disable/enable have opposing suggestions, I don't really get it.
Secure boot is needed for dual boot with windows and so windows hello.
Fast startup lock something that linux can't have access correctly.
after doing this it is better ?
Consider that dual boot is supported but Microsoft do all to push you to not do it, on a simple boot with Zorin or other distro, you will have really less problems.
Is Windows Hello reset when you boot directly with windows boot manager if you want to use Windows (set it at first position of the boot order) and not with ubuntu(=zorin)?
It does. For now, I set windows boot manager as the first priority and then zorin os, and then my windows ssd then zorin ssd. No issues with windows hello so far but I fear future security updates might trigger it again..
You talk about the Boot Order in BIOS I have the Impression. I meant the GRUB Menu. When You start Your Machine, You should have a black Screen, where You have Boot Options for Zorin, Advanced Options etc.
Yes by default, GRUB shows up after I first installed zorin OS. It still does show up when I manually select zorin os in boot menu thru bios. It lists down zorin os, advanced options, windows boot manager