Installing Two Linux OS As Dual-Boot

bookGatekeepingDevices
smukher2 in

The Imperative of European Digital Sovereignty: A Response to Outsourcing Risks, BigTech and AI Monopolies, and Cybersecurity Threats!

Release 1 on 22nd Jan 2026.

Last Edit 31st Jan 2026 ‘Introduction’ section.

Introduction:

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape of 2025-2026, Europe finds itself at a critical juncture, where Europe recognizes the importance of safeguarding its sovereignty. The outsourcing of digital work, particularly cybersecurity, to overseas entities like India’s TCS, as demonstrated by the UK’s M&S cyberattack, highlights the risks posed to European digital sovereignty. This incident, among others, such as airport disruptions due to cyberattacks or failures of US Amazon cloud services, and US Windows OS failures from the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) attack, Salt Typhoon’s advanced persistent threat attacks, underscore the risks of over-reliance on foreign entities for data storage, AI, and workforce. These incidents highlight the need for Europe to reclaim its digital innovation and development, and develop an in-house workforce collaborating with like-minded ‘middle power’ peers such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea, cause ‘it is no mean happiness, to be seated in the mean’ quote Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare. This journey towards digital sovereignty is not just about technological advancement; it’s about safeguarding autonomy of the ‘European way of life’ i.e. European values, rule of law, science, technology, privacy, culture, art/literature, creativity, innovation and development, in the face of increasing global competition and threats.

This Operating System (OS) installation tutorial on utilizing Linux OS on computers is one such ‘baby step’ in the right direction for Europe and other like-minded ‘middle powers’, towards sovereignty, avoidance of unnecessary conflict and immunity from coercion or harassment. By gradually embracing Linux OS, where Europe is at par if not ahead of other tech savvy countries, Europe can get the basics right, that is, get their computer systems protected from external bad actors, and reduce its reliance on proprietary software from monopolies of tech behemoths, moving towards a more autonomous and secure digital environment. This shift will not only strengthen European cybersecurity but also fosters local innovation and economic growth. Recently, Microsoft ended Windows 10 support to force users to abandon perfectly good computers and increase profit. These users can find a reliable solution in Linux OS with continued LTS (Long Term Support). The path to sovereignty, be it in science and technology, or energy and defense, is long and complex, but the first steps have been taken. By nurturing and investing in homegrown talent, companies and institutes, hackathons, conferences, summer schools, internships, expos, for-profit and open-source software solutions, Europe is leading the ‘middle powers’ from front to reclaim their respective sovereign futures. This internally focused self-development like (German) ‘panzerschreck’ is perhaps complementary to the externally focused EU anti-coercion instrument, nicknamed (French) ‘bazooka’, like ‘yin-yang’, wherein each makes the other stronger especially when they play for the same team, with the common goal of European sovereignty. Indeed, luckily for Europe, Germany who invented ‘panzerschreck’ and France who invented ‘bazooka’, during war times, are now both playing for same team as part of EU towards European sovereignity!

References:

FrameworkDescriptionNotable Distros Using It
CalamaresUniversal, modular installer; supports both live and netinst; highly customizable.Manjaro, Kubuntu https://kubuntu.org, OpenMandriva, ParrotOS and others.
SubiquityCanonical’s modern, fast installer for Ubuntu; uses curtain mode for seamless installation.Ubuntu https://ubuntu.com/desktop , Ubuntu Server, LinuxMint https://linuxmint.com
UbiquityOlder, GTK-based installer for Ubuntu; being phased out in favor of Subiquity.Ubuntu, LinuxMint
AnacondaRed Hat’s installer; supports advanced partitioning, kickstart, and enterprise features.US: Fedora, RHEL, CentOS (comparable to others, will not be discussed further)
Debian-Installer (d-i)Text-based and graphical installer for Debian; highly flexible and modular.US: Debian, Tails (for details installer follow link here for details https://tails.net/ and https://www.debian.org)
YastSUSE’s powerful, modular installer and system configuration tool.OpenSUSE (https://www.opensuse.org From Germany, will be discussed in future versions of this article)
ArchinstallOfficial Arch Linux guided installer; script-based, supports both CLI and menu-driven modes.Arch Linux (https://archlinux.org From Canada, will be discussed in future versions of this article)
TrixiePup64Designed with simplicity in mind for first time linux OS users.PuppyLinux (https://puppylinux-woof-ce.github.io From Australia, will be discussed in future versions of this article)

Calamares

Overview: Calamares is a universal, modular installer designed to be distribution-agnostic. It’s written in C++, and uses Qt libraries. Its highly customizable, making it a popular choice for many Linux distributions. Supports both simple and advanced installation scenarios. More flexible than Ubiquity and Subiquity.

Key Features:

  • Modular Design: Allows distros to enable/disable modules (partitioning, user creation, package selection, etc.).
  • Wide Language Support: Translated into over 30 languages.
  • Live Installer: Works well with live ISO environments.
  • Advanced Partitioning: Supports manual partitioning, LUKS encryption, LVM, and Btrfs.
  • Branding: Distros can easily customize the look and feel.
  • Scriptable: Supports pre- and post-installation scripts.
  • Encryption: Allows, encryption in its target disk even while another OS is installed first.

Linux OS that use Calamares Intaller: Manjaro, Kubuntu, OpenMandriva, ParrotOS and others.

References:

Calamares. https://calamares.io

Calamares (software) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calamares_(software)

Ubiquity and Subiquity

Overview: Ubiquity is the traditional graphical installer for Ubuntu, written in Python/GTK. It’s known for its simplicity and user-friendly interface, though it’s being phased out in favor of Subiquity. Supports both simple and advanced installation scenarios. Stable and well tested, so works on even older computers. Replaced by Subiquity in newer Ubuntu releases. Less flexible than Calamares.

Overview: Subiquity is Canonical’s next-generation installer, written in Python and designed for both desktop and server installations. It’s the default installer for Ubuntu since 20.04. Actively developed and maintained by Canonical. Less flexible than Calamares.

Key Features: Ubiquity

  • Simple UI: Designed for ease of use, especially for beginners.
  • Automated Partitioning: Offers guided partitioning with optional manual override.
  • Language and Timezone Detection: Automatically detects user settings.
  • OEM Install Mode: Allows for system preparation for resale.
  • Integration with Ubuntu: Tightly integrated with Ubuntu’s ecosystem.
  • Encryption: Does not readily allow encryption in its target disk even while another OS is installed first. Thus, for dual boot first OS need to be installed with Ubiquity/Subiquity installer with encryption and then Calamares installer can install the second OS with encryption.

Key Features: Subiquity

  • Modern UI: Uses a “curtain mode” for a seamless, distraction-free installation.
  • Fast Installation: Optimized for speed and efficiency.
  • Server and Desktop: Supports both desktop and server installations.
  • Automated Installations: Supports cloud-init and autoinstall for automated deployments.
  • Network Configuration: Advanced network setup options.

Used By: Ubuntu (up to 20.04), Linux Mint (with modifications), Ubuntu Server and other Ubuntu-based distros.

References:

Subiquity: Canonical prepares a new installer that we can see in Ubuntu 21.10 https://en.ubunlog.com/subiquity-ubuntu-prepares-a-new-installer-that-we-can-see-in-ubuntu-21-10/

Ubiquity (software) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubiquity_(software)

Installation: Target

  • Installation on Computer (Hard Disk, Caution: This will erase your computer data)
  • Installation on USB or microSD external portable device (Caution: This will NOT erase your computer data, but will change boot order so later you need to change the boot order back to the default or preferred OS installed on the computer say windows).
  • How to determine if your USB or microSD card is suitable for linux OS? Suitability here refers to being used as live bootable disk (installer not persistent storage its used to install linux OS on a target disk, like using windows installer bootable usb) and linux OS installation (persistent linux OS like using windows or mac on computer). Here are 3 conditions that are usually characteristic of a suitable disk, lets call it ‘Cartesian Linux Disk Suitability Test’ —name inspired by and in honor of Rene Descartes after whom the Cartesian 3 dimensions xyz mathematical system was named, which he discovered.
Cartesian Linux Disk Suitability Test
1. Size and TypeUSB stick (pen drive) or microSD should be atleast 8GB to 64GB, larger than 64GB usually do not have entire space usable so linux OS cannot be installed. For hard disk or external drive 8GB onwards all sizes are ok. Type 3 USB is preferred, but not essential.
2. Usable SpaceThis is related to size, but here the usable size is tested. Lets say you have a USB, microSD or drive of 8GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 500GB, 1TB etc. Now, fill the entire space with data or files > Safely eject the device and Turn off computer > Turn on computer and plug back in the device. Now are all the files you copied to fill the entire space of the device still there? If yes, then the whole device space is usable so linux os can be installed, if no then the device has bad sectors so whole space is not usable.
3. PartitioningLinux OS installation requires atleast 3 partitions (EFI, Boot, and Root/Home). On Mac ‘Disk Utility’, Windows ‘Disk Management’, and Linux ‘Gnome Disks’ or ‘Gparted’ create 3 partitions manually, put some files in each. Thereafter, safely eject the device and Turn off computer > Turn on computer and plug back in the device > Do the partitions still exist? Do the files still exist? If answer to both questions is yes then the device is good for linux os installation, otherwise not.
P.S. You can also try installing linux OS on any disk and see if it works, if you are in a hurry and don’t want to spent time on this Cartesian Linux Disk Suitability Test’.

Installation: Preparation

  • Backup Laptop and prepare windows os installer to go back to windows os if decide to not use linux os. As mac os can be installed only via internet, just backup no need to make mac os installer.
  • Download linux os iso file. Use Rufus or Balena-Etcher to prepare linux OS bootable live USB or microSD card with the downloaded iso file. These should have atleast 8GB space.
  • In Boot Menu: For computer containing preexisting Windows OS, enable and priotitize USB boot, turn off ‘secure boot’, ‘fast boot’ and ‘bitlocker’ related ‘device guard’ from boot menu during installation — after installation these features can be tuned on. Visit computer manufacturer’s website for details about updating BIOS and booting from boot menu example: ASUS https://www.asus.com/ph/support/faq/1013017/ and MSI https://www.msi.com/support/technical_details/DT_Boot_Priority. For mac computers using ‘Option’ or ‘Apple’ key on keyboard enables switching to linux os.
  • For windows computers the boot order needs to be switched to linux os after installation completes, while for mac computers using ‘Option’ or ‘Apple’ key on keyboard enables switching to linux os.

Installation: As First OS Select Ubiquity and Subiquity Installers

Linux OS NameFor Single Boot, One Linux OS Installation (INSTALL OFFLINE)
Ubuntu OS https://ubuntu.com/desktop LinuxMint OS Cinnamon https://linuxmint.comFirst install on full target disk using ‘Erase disk’ and ‘LUKS’ encryption option.
Linux OS NameFor Dual Boot, Two Linux OS Installation (INSTALL OFFLINE)
Ubuntu OS LinuxMint OS CinnamonFirst install on full target disk using ‘Erase disk’ and ‘LUKS’ encryption option. Then repeat installer but choose ‘something else’ and only resize or format the encrypted ‘luks’ disk to make space for subsequent calamares installer with ‘replace partition option’.

Installation: As Second OS Select Ubiquity and Subiquity Installers

Linux OS NameFor Single Boot, One Linux OS Installation (INSTALL OFFLINE)
Kubuntu OS https://kubuntu.orgFirst install on full target disk using ‘Erase disk’ and ‘LUKS’ encryption option (usb, microSD or hard disk) with encryption. Choose ‘swap to file’ option. Tip: On older computers, type encryption password 3 times > maximum tries exceeded > press ‘Esc’ wait few seconds then when prompted type password (4th trial) to unlock.
Q4OS https://q4os.orgFirst install on full target disk using ‘Erase disk’ and ‘LUKS’ encryption option. Choose ‘swap to file’ option. Tip: If installer fails on older computers, Solution: open terminal and change ‘installEFIFallback: true’ to installEFIFallback: false’ in file /etc/calamares/modules/bootloader.conf and relaunch calamares. Reference: Solution by Joshua Richards https://forum.openmandriva.org/t/installation-from-usb-fails-with-bootloader-script-exception/5718
OpenMandriva https://www.openmandriva.orgFirst install on full target disk using ‘Erase disk’ and ‘LUKS’ encryption option. Choose ‘swap to file’ option. Tip: If installer fails on older computers, Solution: open terminal and change ‘installEFIFallback: true’ to installEFIFallback: false’ in file /etc/calamares/modules/bootloader.conf and relaunch calamares. Reference: Solution by Joshua Richards https://forum.openmandriva.org/t/installation-from-usb-fails-with-bootloader-script-exception/5718
Manjaro https://manjaro.orgFirst install on full target disk using ‘Erase disk’ and ‘LUKS’ encryption option. Choose ‘swap to file’ option. Tip: For Gnome version, the /lib/libSM.so, /lib/libSM.so.6, and /lib/libSM.so.6.0.1 files are broken/non-existant which prevents installation. Solution: Close installer and do 1) or 2) and then relaunch installer.
1) (easy) On terminal type ‘sudo -E calamares -d’ to do installation Reference: Solution by ‘BluishHumility’ https://forum.garudalinux.org/t/installer-fails-to-launch-after-successful-boot-of-live-usb-iso/23091 . 2) (hard) so replace these with equivalent files form ‘pacman’ or previous Manjaro installer iso (I used Manjaro Gnome v21). Tip: For Manjaro KDE or Manjaro XFCE, if installer fails on older computers, Solution: open terminal and change ‘installEFIFallback: true’ to installEFIFallback: false’ in file /etc/calamares/modules/bootloader.conf and relaunch calamares. Reference: Solution by Joshua Richards https://forum.openmandriva.org/t/installation-from-usb-fails-with-bootloader-script-exception/5718
Parrot (Home) https://www.parrotsec.orgFirst install on full target disk using ‘Erase disk’ and ‘LUKS’ encryption option. Choose ‘swap to file’ option. Tip: For Parrot 7 (latest), the grub-efi and (auto-date-time) ntp packages do not launch due to dependency version inconsistency, and wrong date-time. Solution: First, close installer and update the date (in menu type date & time) to current date, click of when pop up ‘Update NTP service failed’. Second, click and allow the update pop-up. Third, open terminal and type the following, ‘sudo apt install grub-efi grub-efi-amd64 ntp’,
‘sudo apt –fix-broken-install’ and ‘sudo apt install grub-efi grub-efi-amd64 ntp’. Fourth, now launch ‘Install Parrot’, all will be ok.
Linux OS NameFor Single Boot, One Linux OS Installation (INSTALL OFFLINE)
Kubuntu OS https://kubuntu.orgApply the corresponding ‘Tips’ provided under For Single Boot, One Linux OS Installation (INSTALL OFFLINE).
Now, in the Calamares installer select ‘replace partition’ and ‘encryption’ — the unformatted space left in Ubuntu and LinuxMint is selected here as the partition to be replaced by Kubuntu OS.
Q4OS https://q4os.orgSame as above
OpenMandriva https://www.openmandriva.orgSame as above
Manjaro https://manjaro.orgSame as above
Parrot (Home) https://www.parrotsec.orgSame as above

Installation: Finishing

  • Sometimes during installation the computer may hibernate, just move mouse to wake system up, if that does not work gently press power button to wake system up. If prompted for password, check the distribution website, example for Parrot OS the password is ‘parrot’ and for Manjaro OS the password is ‘manjaro’.
  • For newer windows computers boot menu will show both encrypted linux os, but for older computers in the boot menu one needs to select which encrypted linux os one wants to boot under the ‘hard disk priorities’ menu. A quick way ot enter boot menu is by typing on terminal, ‘systemctl reboot –firmware-setup’, alternately just use ‘efibootmgr’ to change os boot order. For mac just use ‘Option’ or ‘Apple’ key.
  • New users, please be patient with the system at first run as default swap is pretty low on linux os. Increase swap to make system faster. If linux os hangs, it will show ‘Force Quit’ accept it, and even then if after waiting several minutes system stays frozen power off the system, enter boot menu to again make linux os the first to boot, then restart computer and all will be ok.
Increase Swap By 8GB For Ext4 formatted Drive (all linux OS discussed above except Parrot OS) by Typing following commands on TerminalIncrease Swap By 8GB For Btrfs formatted Drive (all linux OS discussed above except Parrot OS) by Typing following commands on Terminal Note: -l 8G where -l is small L
free -h swapon –show sudo swapoff /swapfile sudo fallocate -l 8G /swapfile sudo chmod 600 /swapfile sudo mkswap /swapfile sudo swapon /swapfile free -hfree -h swapon –show sudo swapoff /swapfile sudo btrfs filesystem mkswapfile –size 8G /swapfile sudo chmod 600 /swapfile sudo mkswap /swapfile sudo swapon /swapfile free -h
  • If you care about privacy and security, it is recommended to only minimally connect to internet so as to install security software such as clam anti virus and VPN, before actively using the computer and updating the system.
  • So as not to break the system by update, consider using an external USB with linux os (‘dummy’) to text if system works well after installation of updates before installing on the real computer system.

Future Direction:

More detailed steps with screenshots/video will be provided for this article.

Short URL https://fairwissenschaft.eu/?p=1264