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[Solved] Step-by-Step Guide: Installing Windows 7 Alongside Linux Mint with USB & Handling Partitions

sunza 6933 11
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  • #1 16911608
    sunza
    Level 9  
    Posts: 25
    Rate: 6
    Hello,
    I would like to ask you for help and to explain step by step what and how to do it. As a result of a few coincidences, I have a Mint that works pretty well, but needs programs that unfortunately don't work here (even for wine).
    I would like to install windows 7, but it crashed when booting, so I did the format, but then messed it up, and finally the matter with my partitions looks like the picture below:
    Link

    Can anyone help me, how can I make partitions (with what program, step by step) that will be suitable for windows, I say in advance that I can not install it from a CD only from usb.

    greetings
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  • #2 16911625
    willyvmm
    Level 31  
    Posts: 1754
    Help: 164
    Rate: 356
    For a few programs, install Windows in VirtualBox.
  • #3 16911626
    Pedros050
    Level 43  
    Posts: 17906
    Help: 2471
    Rate: 3901
    First, I installed Windows and then Linux Mint with an iso image and made partitions on the linux disk for me. Currently you only have 1Mb and that's not enough to set up the system and partition NTFS.
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  • #4 16911629
    sunza
    Level 9  
    Posts: 25
    Rate: 6
    willyvmm wrote:
    For a few programs, install Windows in VirtualBox.

    Anything more? I see there is virtualbox in the repository, but what next?
    I need solidworks or inventor to run.

    Added after 45 [seconds]:

    PITERRR wrote:
    First, I installed Windows and then Linux Mint with an iso image and made partitions on the linux disk for me. Currently you only have 1Mb and that's not enough to set up the system and partition NTFS.


    Therefore, I am looking for help on how to make a partition in NTFS.
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  • #5 16911638
    Pedros050
    Level 43  
    Posts: 17906
    Help: 2471
    Rate: 3901
    GParted and reduce the Linux partition so that there is a place to create a partition under Windows, but I do not know if it can be done because you have an ext4 boot and if it is possible to shorten this partition. Because linux may not boot afterwards.
  • #6 16911645
    sunza
    Level 9  
    Posts: 25
    Rate: 6
    PITERRR wrote:
    GParted and reduce the Linux partition so that there is a place to create a partition under Windows, but I do not know if it can be done because you have an ext4 boot and if it is possible to shorten this partition. Because linux may not boot afterwards.


    its size cannot be changed :(
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  • #7 16911648
    Pedros050
    Level 43  
    Posts: 17906
    Help: 2471
    Rate: 3901
    Well, that's what I was afraid of and proposes to reset the disk, install win 7 and then Linux MINT.
  • #8 16911655
    sunza
    Level 9  
    Posts: 25
    Rate: 6
    Ok, that's what I already did, but there was a problem with booting. I tried to install the system from a flash drive and either it did not read, or when the installation of windows began, a blue screen appeared.
    Can you clean up partitions from the BIOS level so that they are NTFS?
  • #9 16911662
    Pedros050
    Level 43  
    Posts: 17906
    Help: 2471
    Rate: 3901
    sunza wrote:
    that's what I did before but there was a problem with booting
    First you need to reset the disk with MHDD iso to pen. And after that you will be able to install Windows. And from the BIOS level, you won't do anything with Partitions.
    https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic2125622.html
  • #10 16949257
    0ceanborn
    Level 25  
    Posts: 1176
    Help: 19
    Rate: 79
    sunza wrote:
    Ok, that's what I already did, but there was a problem with booting. I tried to install the system from a flash drive and either it did not read, or when the installation of windows began, a blue screen appeared.
    Can you clean up partitions from the BIOS level so that they are NTFS?

    As long as I live, I have never been able to install any system from a flash drive, and what did not come out of the flash drive, I always succeeded from the disc. So a piece of advice - if you're not going to devote your life to studying computer science, don't figure out why that's the case, just do what works. Get yourself an external DVD drive and install what you need.
    Partitions do not have to be all NTFS, it is enough that one will be the one on which you want to install Windows. I would do NTFS as the basic one and all Linux in the extended one.
    I understand that you may not waste the time devoted to installing and configuring Linux, but since you have reached the point that you do not care, clean the disk and re-create partitions, it means delete all and set up a new partition table.
    You can do it, for example, in Parted Magic running with HirensBootCD.
    sunza wrote:

    its size cannot be changed :(

    Maybe there would be some way to do that in the right program.
    If you want to install Windows after installing Linux (and not the other way around) you will encounter a Linux boot problem that I suppose you won't be able to solve.
  • Helpful post
    #11 16951266
    Bielsky
    Level 21  
    Posts: 333
    Help: 30
    Rate: 19
    0. Make a data backup
    1. Run linux mint from pendrive (I think the mint install is a live distribution).
    2. On this distribution, live should be gparted. The ext4 partition on the hard drive is not mounted, so you should be able to shrink it.
    3. Create an NTFS partition, at least 100GB just in case
    4. Install windows.
    5. Restart the mint pendrive.
    6. In order for mint to run, you need to do spells according to the scheme:
    https://dug.net.pl/tekst/77/przywraca_grub2_za_pomoca_chroot/
    Your distribution will probably have grub2-install and update-grub2 instead of grub-install and update-grub.
    And the drive will be called / dev / sda
    grub-install / dev / sda (execute without partition number)
    update-grub should create grub menu with mint boot by default and possible windows selection.
  • #12 19204623
    sunza
    Level 9  
    Posts: 25
    Rate: 6
    problem solved according to the instructions above
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around installing Windows 7 alongside Linux Mint using a USB drive, addressing partitioning issues. The user initially faced booting problems and partition mismanagement after attempting to install Windows. Suggestions included using VirtualBox for running Windows applications, utilizing GParted to resize the Linux partition, and creating an NTFS partition for Windows installation. A step-by-step guide was provided, recommending backing up data, using a live Linux Mint environment to shrink the ext4 partition, creating an NTFS partition, and reinstalling Windows. After installation, instructions for restoring the GRUB bootloader to access both operating systems were shared. The user confirmed the problem was resolved following the provided instructions.
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FAQ

TL;DR: Dual‑boot Linux Mint and Windows 7 by shrinking ext4, creating a 100 GB NTFS partition, installing Win7, then restoring GRUB. “Create an NTFS partition, at least 100GB.” [Elektroda, Bielsky, post #16951266]

Why it matters: This FAQ helps Mint users who can’t run needed Windows‑only apps and want a reliable USB‑based dual‑boot setup.

Quick Facts

How do I dual‑boot Windows 7 with Linux Mint from a USB stick?

Back up data. Boot Mint live, open GParted, shrink ext4, and create a new NTFS (≥100 GB). Install Windows 7 on the NTFS partition. Then boot Mint live again and restore GRUB with grub-install /dev/sda and update-grub. [Elektroda, Bielsky, post #16951266]

What should I try first if the Windows installer shows a blue screen or won’t start?

Reset the disk using an MHDD bootable USB, which clears problematic structures before reinstalling Windows. BIOS can’t clean partitions for you, so use MHDD, then retry installation. “First you need to reset the disk with MHDD.” [Elektroda, Pedros050, post #16911662]

USB installs keep failing—should I switch to an external DVD drive?

Yes. If the installer won’t boot from USB or fails mid‑install, use an external DVD drive. Many users report DVD installs working when USB does not. “Get yourself an external DVD drive and install what you need.” [Elektroda, 0ceanborn, post #16949257]

Can I create or edit partitions in BIOS/UEFI to make them NTFS?

No. BIOS/UEFI does not manage filesystems like NTFS. Use tools such as GParted, Parted Magic, or the Windows installer to create and format partitions. [Elektroda, Pedros050, post #16911662]

Which tool should I use to shrink ext4 and create an NTFS partition?

Use GParted from a Mint live session. Because the disk’s ext4 partition isn’t mounted when running live, you can shrink it and then create a new NTFS partition. [Elektroda, Bielsky, post #16951266]

How big should the Windows 7 partition be?

Allocate at least 100 GB for Windows 7 and applications. This sizing accommodates system files and larger programs. “Create an NTFS partition, at least 100GB.” [Elektroda, Bielsky, post #16951266]

I installed Windows after Linux and lost GRUB—how do I boot Mint again?

Boot Mint live, chroot into your system, then run grub-install /dev/sda followed by update-grub. This restores the GRUB menu and Mint boot entry. [Elektroda, Bielsky, post #16951266]

Can I avoid dual‑booting and still run a few Windows programs?

Yes. Install Windows inside VirtualBox on Mint for lighter applications. This avoids repartitioning, but heavy CAD apps may still need native Windows. “For a few programs, install Windows in VirtualBox.” [Elektroda, willyvmm, post #16911625]

Why can’t I create an NTFS partition—GParted shows only ~1 MB free?

You don’t have enough unallocated space. Shrink the Linux partition first to free space, then create the NTFS partition for Windows. 1 MB is insufficient. [Elektroda, Pedros050, post #16911626]

Is there any risk to shrinking the ext4 partition?

Yes. If you shrink the wrong partition or interrupt the process, Linux may not boot afterward. Work from a live session and back up first. [Elektroda, Pedros050, post #16911638]

Do all partitions need to be NTFS for Windows 7 to work?

No. Only the target Windows partition must be NTFS. Keep Linux partitions in their native formats, optionally inside an extended partition. [Elektroda, 0ceanborn, post #16949257]

What is GRUB2, and why does Windows overwrite it?

GRUB2 is Mint’s bootloader. Installing Windows after Linux replaces the bootloader, so you must reinstall GRUB2 to restore dual‑boot. Follow the grub-install and update-grub steps. [Elektroda, Bielsky, post #16951266]

What is GParted?

GParted is a graphical partition editor. Run it from a live Mint session to resize ext4 and create NTFS before installing Windows. [Elektroda, Bielsky, post #16951266]

Is there a proven sequence that worked for the original poster?

Yes. The OP confirmed the issue was solved by following the backup, GParted resize, NTFS creation, Windows install, and GRUB restore steps. [Elektroda, sunza, post #19204623]

Quick three‑step how‑to for restoring GRUB after installing Windows?

  1. Boot Mint live and chroot into your installed system.
  2. Run: grub-install /dev/sda.
  3. Run: update-grub and reboot to see Mint and Windows in the menu. [Elektroda, Bielsky, post #16951266]
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