Setting up a dual boot with Kali Linux and Windows offers unique challenges, especially when configuring the GRUB bootloader. This guide outlines the essential steps and addresses common issues, focusing on GRUB configuration.
Understanding the Requirements
The Kali documentation provides extensive information on this process. It includes a link to get started. However, it lacks details on configuring Grub for option selection.
Preparing Your System
Resize the Windows Partition
First, ensure your hard disk has at least 20 GB of free space. Also, deactivate Fast Startup in Windows 10 to avoid partition resizing errors.
To disable Fast Startup, navigate through Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options. Here, select ‘Choose what the power buttons do’ and then ‘Change Settings that are currently unavailable.’ Finally, deselect ‘Turn on fast startup’ and save your changes.
Next, resize your partition from Windows. Access Disk Management by right-clicking the Start Button or using WindowsKey+X. Then, select the drive to shrink, right-click the largest volume, and choose ‘Shrink Volume.’
Windows will query the volume for available space to shrink, after which you will be prompted with a window to Enter the amount of space to shrink in MB like in the example below:
Installing Kali Linux
After partitioning, insert the Kali install USB and boot from it. Select ‘Graphical Install’ on the Kali Linux boot screen. If the system asks for firmware for network devices, you can choose ‘no’ and continue.
The installation process resembles a Kali Linux Hard Disk install up to the partitioning step. Here, select ‘Guided – use the largest continuous free space.’ This action installs Kali on the partition prepared in Windows.
Configuring GRUB
After installation, your PC might boot directly into Linux without offering an OS choice. To address this, activate os-prober in the GRUB config file. Edit /etc/default/grub with a text editor and add ‘GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=”false”.’
After saving the changes, update GRUB by running ‘sudo update-grub.’ This process detects bootable partitions and creates new boot entries, including one for Windows Boot Manager.
Finalizing the Setup
With os-prober enabled, restarting your machine will present an option for Windows. This solution ensures seamless OS selection at startup.
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