Dell XPS 15 7590 Ubuntu Dual Boot

!dell-xps-15-7590-ubuntu-dual-boot.md

Dell XPS 15 7590 Ubuntu Dual Boot

From Windows

Updating Windows

Make sure you have the latest Windows & Dell updates. Go to Settings > Updates & Security > Check For Updates.

Turning off BitLocker

Ensure that BitLocker is turned off.

Creating a new partition

• In the Windows search bar, type Create and Format Hard Disk Partitions
• Right click on the C: partition and select Shrink Volume
• Choose the desired size for Ubuntu

Switching from RAID to AHCI mode

Type cmd into the Windows Search Bar. Right-click & select Run as administrator.

Type this command to boot into safe mode:

bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal

Reboot, then press F2 to enter BIOS:

• Under System Configuration, change the SATA Operation Mode from RAID to AHCI.
• Save changes and exit.
• Windows should then boot into safe mode.

Open the Command Prompt (as administrator) and delete safe mode:

bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot

Installing Ubuntu

Create a bootable USB with the desired Ubuntu OS. As of this writing, Ubuntu 22.04 is the latest LTS.

• Insert the USB drive & reboot the computer
• Press F12 to see list of boot devices; select the USB drive from the list & press Enter
• Select Ubuntu from the list or just wait... it will start automatically
• Select Install Ubuntu

Wireless

Select I don't want to connect to a wi-fi network right now.

Updates and other software

• Select Normal installation
• Uncheck Download updates while installing Ubuntu
• Check Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware and additional media formats
• Check Configure Secure Boot and create a password

To properly install third-party software, Secure Boot needs to be configured. The password you create will be needed to configure Secure Boot right after installation is completed (see next section).

Installation type

Select Install Ubuntu alongside Windows Boot Manager.

Configuring Secure Boot

After installing Ubuntu & rebooting the system, a blue screen will appear and prompt you to Enroll MOK (Machine Owner Key):

• Select Enroll MOK
• Select Continue
• Select Yes
• Input the password (no character inputs will be displayed) and then press ENTER
• Select Reboot

Useful Utility Applications

Windows 10/11

• mac-precision-touchpad: Windows driver for Apple Magic Trackpad

Ubuntu

• GNOME Tweaks

References

• Ubuntu 20.04 Clean Install on UEFI BIOS with Secure Boot
• My Journey Installing Ubuntu 18.04 on the Dell XPS 15 7590 (2019)

With Windows 10, disable BitLocker before you install Ubuntu.
Start, type "bit", click Turn Off.

Thanks for this nice installation guide!
Two comments:

• Ubuntu does not install when Windows Bitlocker is activated. (help.ubuntu.com/bitlocker) Should be deactivated before ubuntu is installed.
• Don't deactivate secure boot in bios settings (as is somtimes recommended).

I'm curious, what's the advantage of configuring the Secure Boot option?

OP said "To properly install third-party software, Secure Boot needs to be configured."

That's all I know.

Thanks for this nice installation guide! Two comments:

• Ubuntu does not install when Windows Bitlocker is activated. (help.ubuntu.com/bitlocker) Should be deactivated before ubuntu is installed.

Apologies for the (very) late reply! Thanks for this! Updated the instructions.