Install alongside Windows

Wild OS can share the disk with Windows. Windows keeps its files, the space you give Wild OS comes from Windows’ free space, and each time you switch on a menu lets you choose which one starts.

It’s the best choice if you still need Windows now and then. If you’ll only need Windows programs, Windows mode runs them inside Wild OS, and you may not need to keep Windows at all.

Back up first

Making room means shrinking the Windows partition. It’s safe when Windows is shut down properly, but copy anything irreplaceable to a USB drive or online storage before you start, as you would with any change to a disk.

Get Windows ready

The installer’s first page, Before we start, checks three things in Windows. Each one that needs changing shows an amber card with a Show me how button. Fix them in Windows, restart straight back into the installer, and press Check again.

BitLocker is on

BitLocker is Windows’ own drive encryption. While it’s on, nothing outside Windows can safely make the Windows drive smaller.

1. Make sure you know your Microsoft account password or have your BitLocker recovery key. Windows may ask for it.
2. Start Windows and open Settings, then Privacy and security, then Device encryption. On some editions, search Start for Manage BitLocker instead.
3. Choose Suspend protection (or Turn off device encryption) and confirm.

Suspending lasts until Windows next restarts, then Windows turns it back on by itself.

Fast Startup is on

Fast Startup means Windows never fully shuts down, so its drive is left half open.

1. In Windows, open Control Panel, then Power Options, then Choose what the power buttons do.
2. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
3. Untick Turn on fast startup and save.

Windows didn’t shut down fully

Hold Shift while you choose Shut down in Windows. That shuts it down completely.

Space

Windows needs 40 GB free to share the disk, and 45 GB or more is better. If Windows (C:) is nearly full, empty the Recycle Bin and clear out Downloads in Windows first.

Share the space

Choose Install alongside Windows on the Where should Wild OS go? page, then drag the divider to decide how much each one gets. Then carry on as in install Wild OS.

Choosing which one starts

When the computer starts, you’ll see a menu to choose Wild OS or Windows. Use the arrow keys and Enter.