Dual - booting Windows editions is a custom that go quite far back . It lets you have new Windows reading and old Windows version together on the same hard drive of a PC or laptop .

double booting is a fun way to tryWindows 11without deleting Windows 10 . You do involve a separate license and story for both Windows operating system to threefold - boot legally without violating Microsoft ’s footing of service .

Here ’s how to treble rush Windows 10 and Windows 11 at the same clip .

How to dual boot Windows 10 and Windows 11

If you ’ve been impressed byWindows 11 ’s stiff review , you may dual bring up it with Windows 10 with just a match of thing . Again , you ’ll have to hold in a valid Windows 10 license and a valid Windows 11 license . Each license can only be used once . It ’s likely that Windows 10 will pull an original equipment manufacturing business ( OEM ) license from your microcomputer , and Windows 11 will require you for a product key on setup .

Additionally , since Windows 11 now mandates you use a Microsoft Account as part of the setup in the Home Edition ( you canset up a local Windows 11 accountwith limited functionality ) , you ’ll demand to have a separate Microsoft business relationship for both operating systems . you could try using the same one , but separate accounts would be the good option . This avail annul confusion with any potential app downloads and other app licence tied to your accounts . you may always produce a secondMicrosoft Accountfor free , just to try Windows 11 , and then remove it afterward after you set thing up .

As part of double booting , you ’ll also need to be comfortable using magnetic disk management tools , as well as have a USB parkway that ’s at least 16 GB in sizing and an internet connection to download Windows 11 . You ’ll also have tomeet the requirementsfor Windows 11 . If your microcomputer is n’t compatible , then youcan’t double boot without registry hacks .

Step 1: Download Windows 11

To get start , you ’ll demand todownload Windows 11 for Microsoft . Choose theCreate Windows 11 Installation Media optionand download the prick . Launch it and choose toUse the recommended options for this PC.Then , chooseUSB flash driveand clickNext . Make certain your USB driving is plug in . Choose your drive from the lean , and clickNext . Your PC will make a bootable Windows 11 driving force .

Step 2: Prepare to partition your main Windows 10 hard drive

In this 2nd step , you ’ll have to direct intoDisk Managementin Windows 10 . Search for it and afford it using the Start Menu . The option you want will beCreate and initialize gruelling disk partition . Once you find it , spread out it up and await for theOS : carbon crusade . You should know this is your OS parkway since it is partition as NTFS . Right - tap the drive , and chooseShrink loudness .

Step 3: Shrink your Windows volume

After you clickShrink Volume , wait for Windows to question your disk . You ’ll then be able to shrink the crusade down in MB .

Keep in brain that 1 GB is adequate to 1,000 MB . So Windows 11 necessitate 64,000 Bachelor of Medicine minimum . We suggest shrinking your drive closely to that amount . In our example , we shrink to 100,000 megabyte . take over the shrink with theShrinkbutton .

Step 4: Create a new volume

Shrinking your volume will take a while and it might look like your personal computer has freeze , but do n’t worry . You ’ll know when it ’s done when you see a Modern gray - color blank space that saysUnallocated . Once you see this , properly - click the empty place and chooseNew Simple Volume .

ClickNextand assign it a novel private road varsity letter ( we ’re usingD ) . You also can label the volume . We chose to name ours Windows 11 . entrust everything as is and be sure it looks like it does in our photo above . ClickFinish .

Step 5: Turn off fast startup and Bitlocker encryption

After you make a new volume , you ’ll ask to turn off both Fast Startup and Bitlocker encryption in Windows 10 . This get you get into your PC ’s BIOS and lets your microcomputer reboot up between the two unlike operating system .

To do this , searchPowerin the Windows 10 Start Menu , and choosePower and Sleep options . Then , scroll down toAdditional Power options . peck thechoose what the power clitoris doesoption . Then , you ’ll have to clickChange setting that are presently unavailableand toggle the checkbox for Fast inauguration to off . close by clickingSave alteration .

For Bitlocker , search forBitlockerin the Start Menu and then chooseManage Bitlocker . In Windows 10 Home , you ’ll want to turn off gimmick encoding .

Step 6: Boot your PC from your Windows 11 Bootable drive

Next , you ’ll postulate to bring up your personal computer from the bootable parkway you just created . ordinarily , you may do this by pressing the F12 key on your laptop or keyboard once you call on the power on and choose the name of your USB parkway from the list of useable options . Specific management diverge based on laptop computer makers . Here are some specific instructions fromHPandLenovo .

Step 7: Install Windows 11

Once you boot into the Windows 11 installer , clickNext , and thenInstall Now . Setup will take off , and you should choose theCustomoption . If you ’re not seeing any drive , head into your PC ’s BIOS and set the SATA controller tocompatibility / IDE / Standard Modefor the drives to come out . Once that check out , choose the partition that you ’ve antecedently size and labeled asWindows 11and clickNext . window will then set up .

If you get stuck , refer to ourWindows 11 installation pathfinder .

Step 8: Dual boot!

Once everything is done installing , Windows will now cue you to choose an operating system . Choose either Windows 10 or Windows 11 from the lean each fourth dimension you want to boot your PC . You also can interchange date and time options here , too .

Make certain that you activate Windows 11 with a new Cartesian product Francis Scott Key first , however . Do this by search forActivation Settingsand thenChange Product Key . Enter in a novel intersection samara , so that Windows is linked to a key , rather than your Microsoft Account .

And make certain that you disable Fast Startup , too . Just look forEdit Power Planand then choosePower Options , just as you did in Windows 10 in Step 5 .

This ensures your Windows 10 install does n’t get deactivated . Otherwise , your experience might be limited . At any time , on the dual boot carte du jour , you may choose your operating organisation .

Now you ’re stimulate a flavor for the operating system , install some of thebest Windows 11 apps .