Multibooting

Multibooting is the practice of installing multiple operating systems on a single computer and making it possible for the user to choose which operating system to boot when the computer starts up. This is typically achieved through the use of a boot loader, a special program that resides in the computer's firmware or on the hard drive. When the computer powers on, the boot loader presents a menu allowing the user to select the desired operating system.

Common scenarios for multibooting include using different operating systems for specific tasks, such as Windows for gaming and Linux for development, or running older operating systems for compatibility reasons. Dual-booting, the installation of exactly two operating systems, is a common form of multibooting. Each operating system is usually installed on its own partition on the hard drive, ensuring that they do not interfere with each other's files.

Setting up a multiboot system requires careful planning. It is crucial to back up any important data before proceeding, as partitioning errors can lead to data loss. The order in which operating systems are installed can also matter; typically, installing Windows first and then Linux is recommended, as Windows can sometimes overwrite boot loader information. Modern boot loaders, like GRUB (GRand Unified Bootloader), are highly configurable and can manage complex multiboot setups with many operating systems.