Multiboot vs. virtual PC vs. live DVD: Which is best for multiple OSes?

Do you normally use Windows 11 and just want to have a quick look at a Linux distribution such as Linux Mint or start the computer with a rescue system to remove a malware infection, for example? Then booting the system with a live DVD or from a USB stick is a good option.

The advantage: You don’t have to install anything and no changes are made to the Windows configuration — the live system therefore leaves no traces: If you remove the DVD or USB stick, your PC will boot the permanently installed operating system, such as Windows 10 or 11, after the restart.

If, on the other hand, you want to try out Linux Mint (or another operating system) properly and also install applications, then a virtual computer may be the better choice as a first step.

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A virtual computer behaves more or less like a real PC and you can even exchange data with the host (usually your Windows computer) or other devices in the network. However, as the virtual Windows or Linux guest is isolated from the host and network by default, it is primarily suitable for software tests and surfing potentially dangerous websites. Good: You can freeze the system status and return to a backup point at a later time with the click of a mouse.

Another option is the parallel installation of two or more operating systems on a hard drive or SSD, known as multiboot. After switching on the PC, you select which operating system should start in the boot manager.

This allows you to use Windows 11 and Linux Mint on an equal footing and access stored data — regardless of whether it is available locally or on a network share.

Tip: 5 easy tasks that supercharge your digital security

Advantages and disadvantages of virtual PCs

Sam Singleton

Sam Singleton

Sam Singleton

You can learn more about virtual machine tools in our guide on the subject.

We would like to take this opportunity to explain the main advantages: Virtualization technology has been part of everyday life in company networks and data centers since the 2000s. It allows the number of dedicated computers to be reduced and the existing hardware to be optimally utilized. Many other virtual servers can run independently of each other on a host server. This saves energy and administration costs.

For home users, desktop virtualization solutions offer a sophisticated way of testing different operating systems without a large PC base, using Linux under Windows or even Windows under Linux.

But virtualization has its limits: While virtualization environments can translate the commands of the guest operating system to CPUs and memory with little loss of speed, this is not so easy with other hardware components. The graphics performance is not sufficient for complex games. The memory in the virtualization software is usually limited to 128MB — even if much more is available.

The biggest advantage of virtualization: You always have a clean guest system, no matter what you do with it. Ideally, your host system remains completely untouched in the event of accidents and infections in the virtual machine.

You can also make changes to the settings within the virtual machine to your heart’s content and try out tips. With one click, you can return to the original state — on a real PC, a major crash can result in costly repair measures under certain circumstances.

Advantages and disadvantages of Multiboot

IDG

IDG

IDG

With multiboot — whether with a live system or a permanently installed operating system — you utilize the available resources of the PC. Processor, RAM, and graphics memory are available without restriction — as are all other hardware components such as printer, webcam, and scanner.

A multiboot system can be used in combination with Windows 10 and Linux Mint, for example, if the installation of Windows 11 fails due to the lack of hardware requirements. In addition, typical work on the PC can be separated and PCs can be clearly divided for private and business use. The disadvantage is the double administration effort.

This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.