Solve dual-boot problems

When Ubuntu is installed, it adds a boot manager called GRUB, which should detect Windows and enable you to switch between loading Ubuntu and Windows on every startup. Sometimes this doesn’t work – particularly if you’re forced to partition your drive manually – and Windows isn’t detected. Here’s what you can do to try and bring it back.

First, boot from your Windows rescue media and choose the option to repair your PC. This brings Windows back, but removes GRUB. Next, boot from your Linux install media and choose Try Ubuntu when prompted. Now open a Terminal windows (press Ctrl+Alt+T) and type the following: $ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yannubuntu/ boot-repair $ sudo apt-get update $ sudo apt-get install -y boot-repair && bootrepair Next, open BootRepair from the Dash and choose the recommended repair. The steps involve copying (Ctrl+C) and pasting (right-click and choose Paste) commands into the Terminal. Other keyboard shortcuts you’ll need: Tab and cursor keys to jump between options, space to select options, and Enter to proceed.

When complete, rebooting should now work. If GRUB appears but there’s no Windows option, it may have added itself to the UEFI boot menu. Press the key to bring it up on startup and you may find options to switch between Windows and Ubuntu, which you can use going forward.