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Installing Arch Linux with Windows Dual Boot

A practical, image-led template for documenting a safe Windows and Arch Linux dual-boot setup.

Project overview

Writing template: Replace the prompts and example rows with your tested steps, screenshots, and hardware details.

Describe the machine, the goal of the installation, and what the finished dual-boot setup should do. Link to the official Arch Linux installation guide and note which parts of your process differ from it.

Goals and prerequisites

  • Goal: [What you intend to install and configure]
  • Device: [Computer model, CPU, memory, and storage]
  • Starting point: [Windows version and current disk layout]
  • Tools: [USB drive, network connection, and other required equipment]
  • Backup: [Describe how important files and recovery options are protected]

Disk layout

Document the final partition plan before describing the installation. Adjust the table to match the actual device and filesystem.

Partition or volume Size Filesystem Purpose
EFI system partition [size] [format] [boot files]
Windows volume [size] [format] [existing Windows installation]
Arch Linux root [size] [format] [Linux system]
[Optional data or swap] [size] [format] [purpose]

Installation walkthrough

Use this outline from the original draft as a starting point. Add exact, tested instructions and screenshots for your hardware and current Arch ISO.

  1. Download the Arch Linux ISO and create a bootable USB drive (the original draft recommends an 8 GB drive; check the current image size).
  2. Prepare Windows, make a backup, and create recovery media.
  3. Review the firmware settings, including Secure Boot, before changing them.
  4. Complete the initial setup and connect to the network.
  5. Install required packages and choose the kernel.
  6. Install Hyprland if it is part of this machine's setup.
  7. Add initial Hyprland configuration and explain how to start the desktop.
  8. Document next steps and common errors with fixes.

1. Prepare Windows and recovery media

[Write the preparation steps, including backups, available disk space, and recovery media.]

2. Create and boot the installer

[Add the ISO source, USB creation method, firmware boot selection, and screenshots.]

3. Connect to the network and partition the disk

[Document how you verified the target disk and created or reused partitions.]

4. Install and configure Arch Linux

[Add the commands you ran, package choices, bootloader configuration, and reasons. Verify each command against the current installation guide.]

sudo pacman -Syu

5. Verify the dual-boot menu

[Explain how you confirmed that both operating systems boot and how to recover if they do not.]

6. Optional desktop setup

[If you configure Hyprland, document its installation and initial configuration separately from the dual-boot setup.]

7. Troubleshooting

[Describe symptoms, likely causes, safe recovery steps, and the links to the relevant official documentation.]

Results and verification

Check Expected result Actual result
Windows boots from the menu [Expected behavior] [Record your result]
Arch Linux boots from the menu [Expected behavior] [Record your result]
Network and essential hardware work [Expected behavior] [Record your result]

Lessons learned

  • [What went well]
  • [What you would change next time]
  • [Any known limitations or follow-up work]

References

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