Step-by-Step Guide to Dual‑Boot Windows 10 and Ubuntu Kylin on a ThinkPad X240s
This tutorial walks you through preparing a ThinkPad X240s, backing up data, disabling fast startup and Secure Boot, creating a bootable Ubuntu Kylin USB, partitioning the drive, installing Ubuntu alongside Windows 10, and configuring EasyBCD for seamless dual‑boot operation.
Recently I returned to Ubuntu for my graduation project, using a ThinkPad X240s with Windows 10, and successfully set up a dual‑boot of Windows 10 Education and Ubuntu Kylin 15.10. Below is a detailed log of the process (many pictures).
Installation Methods
Virtual Machine Installation Materials : Ubuntu Kylin ISO, VMware or VirtualBox Pros : All‑in‑one service, safe and simple Cons : Poor user experience, feels like a band‑aid
Wubi Installation Materials : Ubuntu Kylin ISO, wubi.exe Pros : Click‑and‑run, default Windows boot entry Cons : Prone to crashes, standby and network issues
USB Installation Materials : Ubuntu Kylin ISO, UltraISO, EasyBCD, USB (≥2 GB) Pros : Simple, safe, genuine dual‑system Cons : Ubuntu becomes the default boot entry
Installation Environment
My principle is to play the authentic way, so I chose the USB image dual‑boot method.
1. Data Backup
Before proceeding, ensure you have backed up all important data.
2. Create Disk Partition
Press Win + X and select "Disk Management".
Select a large free space, right‑click and choose "Compress Volume" to shrink the E: drive by about 50 GB.
After compression, a 50 GB "Unallocated Space" appears.
3. Disable Fast Startup (Optional)
Fast Startup can interfere with GRUB. Open "Power Options" via Win + X , then change the setting to disable it and save.
4. Disable Secure Boot
Secure Boot also blocks dual‑boot. In Windows Settings go to "Update & Security" → "Recovery" → "Advanced startup" → Restart, then navigate to BIOS and set Secure Boot to Disabled.
5. Create Ubuntu Boot USB
Back up the target USB, open UltraISO, load the Ubuntu ISO, then choose "Write Image" → "Write to USB Device" and accept the default options.
6. Install Ubuntu from USB
Boot from the USB (e.g., press F1), select "Install Ubuntu Kylin", and allocate partitions: /: 10‑15 GB for system files swap: twice the RAM size /home: remaining space for user data /boot: 200 MB for the boot loader
During installation, create a 16 GB primary partition for "/", a logical partition for swap, another logical partition for "/boot", and assign the rest to "/home". Ensure the boot loader is installed to the same device as "/boot".
7. Configure EasyBCD
Open EasyBCD, add a new entry, choose Linux/ BSD, and select the Linux partition (~200 MB). After adding the entry, reboot – both Windows 10 and Ubuntu should appear in the boot menu.
Final Note
When you no longer need Ubuntu, simply delete its partitions in Windows Disk Management and remove the corresponding EasyBCD entry.
Author: Volcanoo
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