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badp
Asked: 2011-09-22 10:51:30 +0800 CST

Is it possible to boot Ubuntu using the Windows bootloader?

  • 772

As noted by many people, Windows 8's UEFI requirements might will won't get in the way of installing Linux (or whatever), as the replacement bootloader will also need to be signed somehow. Some systems All systems will let you disable the signature requirement, but the feature might be hidden to disable or you might not be willing to give up on the benefits of a secure bootloader.

Is it necessary to replace the bootloader in the first place? To keep ourselves to software that's gone golden, how can I install Ubuntu 11.04 using Windows 7's own bootloader?

boot

5 Answers

  1. Assuming that Windows is already installed, install Ubuntu on another partition. Make sure that you install Grub2 on the Ubuntu partition - don't install it on the MBR since this will overwrite the Windows boot-loader.

    Boot into Windows and install EasyBCD

    Add Entry and choose Grub2 i.e.

    enter image description here

    Then write back the modified Windows Boot-loader i.e.

    enter image description here

    Reboot - you will now have two options:

    enter image description here

    Boot into Ubuntu and change the Grub Timeout value i.e.

    gksudo gedit /etc/default/grub

    change "GRUB_TIMEOUT=10" to "GRUB_TIMEOUT=0" and save.

    Finally:

    sudo update-grub

    source

    • 35

  2. I've been through it. Here's the way I solved it.

    You need to restore MBR, so it boots into Windows again, not Linux, THEN add Linux.

    1. Boot from Windows installation disk;
    2. Choose Repair/Startup repair; Windows will restore MBR;
    3. When done, reboot into Windows;
    4. Open EasyBCD, and add Linux;
    5. On reboot, you will see the good old black screen with Windows bootloader and two entries: Windows and Linux;
    6. Voila.
    • 9

  3. I've found this very usefull but found an easier way to fix this. When you have access to your windows installation and have EasyBCD installed. You can just repair you MBR from within the tool.(done with EasyBCD 2.2.0.182)

    1. Open EasyBCD and click on "BCD Deployement"

    2. In the section "MBR Configuration Options" ensure that "Install the Windows Vista/7 bootloader to the MBR" is selected and click the "Write MBR" button

    3. Reboot and enjoy the magic of Windows Bootloader

    Hope this helps someone

    • 3

  4. You could go to shell in boot menu and type:

    chroot / 
mount /dev/sda /grub/boot
mount /dev/sda2 /win
install grub boot loader again on sda

    this could might work.

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  5. You have to convert the UEFI or GPT partition to MBR, which can be done by reinstalling Windows, using Partition Master by EaseUS (https://appuals.com/convert-uefi-to-legacy-bios-on-windows-7-8-and-10/, free), AOMEI Partition Assistant (https://www.diskpart.com/gpt-mbr/convert-gpt-to-mbr-without-data-loss-using-command-prompt.html), or other tools. Then you can use easyBCD to add Ubuntu or other OSs to the windows boot menu.

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