Using this method it appears that there is no longer a requirement to turn off secure boot.

This enables you to choose the default option for installing alongside Windows 8.1 The Ubuntu installer therefore also recognises the existence of the Windows 8.1 partition. The software is free to use as well although there is a paid for version for extra options.Ĭreating a UEFI bootable only Ubuntu USB drive ensures that Ubuntu is installed to a GPT partition. I have used Macrium Reflect for creating system images and restoring them (even after moving images around) and it works. For instance if you create a recovery image on an external hard drive and then copy it to another external hard drive or NAS drive there is no guarantee that Windows 8.1 will recognise it. (especially if you move the recovery image around). In essence I have found the Windows recovery tools to be flaky with regards to restoring from a system image.

Instead of using the 'something else' option the new guide allows you to use the default install alongside Windows 8.1 option.

The USB drive created uses a new method to create a UEFI bootable USB drive.

The backup section advises only using Macrium Reflect for creating system images.

There are a few differences to the instructions below using the new method which are mainly as follows: I have written a new guide for dual booting Windows 8.1 and Ubuntu. It may be tempting to jump in and skip the steps that show you how to back up your Windows files but I can't impress on you enough the importance of doing so.

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