How To dual boot Windows 7 and Linux Distro?

[Colbaker]

Hi all,

Am planning on dual booting Windows 7 with a free Linux Distro, Any idea on how i could do this?

Also what is a good free Linux Distro to use?

many thanks

 

[lokkers]

Depending on which distro you want to you, some of the more "friendly" ones (like Ubuntu/Mint) allow you to install inside Windows, by creating a bootable virtual HDD. Simply mount the ISO of the distro, and follow the prompts. I am posting this from a fresh install of Mint alongside Windows 7 - installed and setup in about half hour. I'd certainly recommend that approach if you just want to try it out, and to uninstall simply run the uninstaller from Windows.

 

[Hairybudda]

Virtualbox or wubi ubuntu and see if you like it, if you enjoy it remove wubi and install it in its own partition and grub will take care of the rest.