dualOS

dualOS is a term used to describe configurations or devices that can operate under two distinct operating systems on a single hardware platform. It commonly refers to dual-boot setups, where two operating systems are installed on separate partitions and the user selects one at startup, typically via a bootloader such as GRUB or Windows Boot Manager. It also encompasses virtualization arrangements, where one OS runs inside a host system through a hypervisor such as VirtualBox, VMware, KVM, or Hyper-V, allowing rapid switching without reboot.

In practice, dualOS configurations may involve Windows and Linux on desktop PCs, or other OS pairs, and sometimes mobile devices with multiple ROMs. Shared data access is often arranged through a common data partition or network storage to enable interoperability, though file system compatibility and permissions can complicate access.

Advantages of dualOS include access to software ecosystems that are not available on a single OS, testing and development workflows, and the ability to isolate tasks. Drawbacks include increased storage requirements, potential boot or update failures, maintenance overhead, and performance or compatibility tradeoffs in virtualization scenarios.

The term dualOS is used broadly and is not a standardized specification; implementations vary by hardware, firmware (BIOS/UEFI), and software stack. See also multi-boot, dual-boot, and operating system virtualization.