How do I choose which OS to boot into each time?

Choosing which operating system (OS) to boot into each time on a dual-boot or multi-boot system is a straightforward process, thanks to the boot loader. The boot loader is a small program that loads the operating system when your computer starts. In most dual-boot setups, GRUB (GRand Unified Bootloader) is used for Linux distributions, while Windows typically uses its own boot loader. Here’s how to choose which OS to boot into each time:

Using GRUB (for Linux and Windows Dual-Boot)

1. Restart Your Computer:

• Turn off your computer and then restart it.

1. Access the Boot Menu:

• As your computer boots, you will see the GRUB menu. This menu lists all the installed operating systems.
• If the GRUB menu does not appear automatically, you may need to press a specific key (like Shift, Esc, or F12) during startup to access it. This key varies depending on your computer’s BIOS/UEFI settings.

1. Select the Desired OS:

• Use the arrow keys to navigate to the operating system you want to boot into.
• Press Enter to select it.

Customizing GRUB

If you want to change the default OS that boots or adjust the timeout settings, you can customize GRUB:

1. Edit GRUB Configuration File:

• Open a terminal in Linux.
• Edit the GRUB configuration file using a text editor like nano or vi:
  bash sudo nano /etc/default/grub

1. Modify Settings:

• To change the default OS, find the line that starts with GRUB_DEFAULT= and set it to the number of the OS in the GRUB menu (starting from 0). For example:
  bash GRUB_DEFAULT=1
• To change the timeout, find the line that starts with GRUB_TIMEOUT= and set it to the desired number of seconds. For example:
  bash GRUB_TIMEOUT=10

1. Update GRUB:

• Save the file and update GRUB:
  bash sudo update-grub

Using Windows Boot Loader

If you are dual-booting with Windows and another OS, and Windows is the primary boot loader, you can choose which OS to boot into using the Windows Boot Manager:

1. Restart Your Computer:

• Turn off your computer and then restart it.

1. Access the Boot Menu:

• Press Shift while clicking Restart from the Windows Start menu, or press F8 during startup to access the Advanced Boot Options menu.

1. Select the Desired OS:

• Use the arrow keys to navigate to the operating system you want to boot into.
• Press Enter to select it.

Using BIOS/UEFI Settings

If you need to change the boot order temporarily, you can do so using your computer’s BIOS/UEFI settings:

1. Restart Your Computer:

• Turn off your computer and then restart it.

1. Access BIOS/UEFI Settings:

• Press the appropriate key during startup to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. This key is usually displayed on the screen during boot (common keys include Del, F2, Esc, or F10).

1. Change Boot Order:

• Navigate to the Boot or Boot Order section.
• Use the on-screen instructions to change the boot order so that the desired OS boots first.

Conclusion

Choosing which OS to boot into each time is a simple process that involves accessing the boot menu or boot loader. By understanding how to navigate and customize the GRUB menu or Windows Boot Manager, you can easily switch between operating systems. Additionally, adjusting BIOS/UEFI settings provides another layer of control over your boot process. Regularly managing these settings ensures a seamless and efficient dual-boot experience.