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How To Install Linux / Ubuntu on a Dell XPS 13 (Dual Boot) - 2021
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how-to.md

How To Install Linux / Ubuntu on a Dell XPS 13 (Dual Boot) - 2021

Requirements

  • A Dell XPS laptop (new or used).
  • A USB stick that has enough space for the Linux distro you want to install.
  • USB 3.0 Male to USB-C converter (comes with Dell XPS laptop)

Notes

  • I used Linux Mint - Cinnamon, it works perfectly out-of-the-box on the Dell XPS and is great for beginners, programmers and casual users.
  • Make sure you back up all your files before doing any of the steps below!
  • This process was done on a Dell XPS 13, but should work on any of their models.

Steps

1. Preparation (if new laptop)

  1. Set up your laptop like normal (go trough the default pre-installed Windows installation process).

2. Shrink Windows Partition Volume

  1. Navigate to Disk Management in Windows and shrink an existing volume by at least 25GB to create space for the Linux distro of your choice (I recommend at least 150 GB or more if you're going to use Linux a lot).

3. Disable Bitlocker

  1. In Windows navigate to: Start -> Control Panel -> System and Security -> BitLocker Drive Encryption.
  2. Make sure "BitLocker Drive Encryption" is turned off.

4. Disable Fastboot

  1. In Windows navigate to: Power Options -> Additional Power Settings -> Select "What the power buttons do" -> Select "Change settings that are currently unavailable".
  2. Make sure "Turn on fast startup (Recommended)" is turned off.

5. AHCI Mode

  1. In Windows open the command prompt as administrator (right-click -> open as administrator).
  2. Enter bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal.
  3. Restart your machine and hit F12 on the Dell logo screen to go into the bios settings.
  4. Navigate to: System Configuration -> SATA operation, switch from RAID to AHCI and apply.
  5. Restart your machine and hit F8 on the Dell logo screen to go into safe mode.
  6. Open command prompt as administrator.
  7. Enter bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot.
  8. Restart your laptop and make sure everything still works.

6. Bios Settings

  1. Restart your machine again and hit F12 on the Dell logo screen to go into the bios settings.
  2. Navigate to: Secure Boot > Secure Boot Enable, make sure this setting is turned off.
  3. Navigate to: System Configuration > USB Configuration, enable "USB Boot Support" and make sure "External USB port" is selected.
  4. Navigate to: POST Behaviour > Fastboot, make sure this is set to Thorough.

7. Creating a Bootable ISO USB.

  1. Download Rufus and your favority Linux distro in ISO format.
  2. Open Rufus, select the ISO file and press start.
  3. After a few minutes you should have a bootable ISO USB.

8. Installing the Linux Distro

  1. Insert your bootable USB into your laptop if it isn't already.
  2. Restart your machine and hit F12 on the Dell logo screen to go into the bios settings.
  3. Change the boot order (make the bootable USB option 1).
  4. Apply and exit -> Your laptop will now boot into your Distro.
  5. Go trough the distro's install process (for Linux Mint you can just press the little CD icon on the desktop).
  6. Remove the bootable USB and restart.
  7. Done! On every boot you will now have the option to select between Windows and your Linux distro.

Let me know if there are any mistakes or if you ran into any problems!

Last updated: 05-05-2021

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