How to Dual Boot Windows and Android on Your PC

Just like Windows, you can also install Android on your PC. But doing so will dedicate your PC to Android only. And if you wish to use Windows, it will not be possible unless you format your HDD and install Windows again. However, if you dual boot Windows with Android on your PC, you can enjoy both of them.

Installing Android with Windows is quite similar to dual booting two Windows operating systems in one PC. But with Android, you need to make sure to install Grub otherwise, you will lose your Windows. So, before you start, make sure you have Windows already installed in your PC.

SEE ALSO: How to Install Remix OS 3.0 on your PC alongside Windows 10?.

Dual Boot Android KitKat 4.4 and Windows 7 on your PC

In this tutorial, we have used Windows 7 with Android KitKat 4.4. So, you need to install Windows 7 first. Besides Windows 7, you can also install Windows 10 as well. After you are done with Windows, you can follow these steps to install Android KitKat on your PC. You can download Android KitKat 4.4 ISO file from here.

Step 1: Create Bootable Installation Media for Android KitKat

First of all, you need to create bootable installation media from downloaded ISO file. The ISO file which you have downloaded, is a bootable ISO file. So, you can simply burn it to CD disc.

Besides bootable CD, you can also create bootable USB disk using Rufus or using Windows image burner utility or even Command Prompt.

Step 2: Insert Installation Media and Restart your PC

After you have created Bootable media from downloaded ISO file, you need to setup your PC to boot from CD or USB Drive. Please note that you will have to make changes to BIOS for that.

After that, insert this bootable CD or USB into your PC. You should be able to see it in My Computer or This PC.

Now, restart your PC to boot from installation media. So, go to Start and in Shutdown menu, select Restart. After restart, you will be able to boot from CD or USB to dual boot your existing Windows with Android.

Step 3: Select to Install Android on your PC

Your PC or Laptop will boot from Android KitKat CD or USB. You will see boot menu showing several options for Android. Here, you can even try Android OS before actually installing it on your PC.

So, to install Android on your PC and dual boot with existing Windows, select “Installation – Install Android-x86 to harddisk” option and press Enter.

Step 4: Format the Hard Disk Partition to Install Android KitKat

If you have Windows 7 or above installed on your PC or Laptop, you will see list of available drives on your Hard Disk. Usually sda1 is System reserved partition for Windows, so, you have to select second option i.e. sda2 for Android installation. You can also create separate partition to dual boot Android KitKat with Windows if you have unallocated free space.

Select second option and press Enter to install Android on this partition. Remember, we are installing Android on the same partition as of Windows. Though it is not recommended, yet we are doing it for testing purpose.

Android setup will ask you to format this partition. Remember, DO NOT format this partition otherwise you will loose your Windows installed on that partition. So, select Do not format option and press Enter.

Step 5: Install GRUB to Dual Boot Android and Windows

Now, you will be asked about installing boot loader GRUB, so, select Yes and press Enter. It is necessary to detect existing Windows installation and dual boot Android with it.

Android installer will look for other installations on that partition. Once it detects already installed Windows, it will ask you to create boot item for Windows.

This is most important step to follow. So, make sure to select Yes and press Enter to make boot screen entry for Windows. If you select No, you will not be able to use Windows after Android installation.

Step 6: Install Android and Dual Boot with Windows

It’s time to make your installation directory read-write. It is recommended for debugging. Select Yes and press Enter.

Finally, Android installation will start. It will write Android files on selected partition. This may take some time.

Android installer will create disk image for saving user data, minimum size for disk image is 512MB, you can select any value between 512MB to 2047MB. Select Yes and press Enter.

An input box will appear, enter size of size of disk image and press Enter. This disk image will act as RAM for Android.

After you enter the size, installer will create disk image. It will finish in less than a minute.

Finally, Android has been installed successfully. You can start it from here or you can reboot your PC. Select an option and press Enter. Now you can dual boot Android with Windows.

Step 7: Use Windows or Android from Boot menu

Eject Android KitKat bootable CD or USB and reboot your PC or Laptop after Android installation. On startup you will see boot options as shown below.

First four options are for Android KitKat 4.4 and last option is for Windows. If you want to run Android select first option and press Enter. And if you want to start Windows, select last option and press Enter. Rest 3 options in between are used for Android Debugging. You should not mess with them unless you are an expert. 

After Installation you need to configure your Android like you do in Android Phones. You can check here to see how to configure Android for first Use.

SEE ALSO: How to install Google Play Store in Windows 11 and run Android apps?

Install Android and Windows together on your PC

Now you have both Android and Windows installed on your PC. You can use whichever you want. Just reboot your PC and on startup select which one you want to start and press Enter. You can also install latest Android Marshmallow 6.0 based Remix OS alongside your Windows.

Hope you liked this tutorial. Should you face a problem with installation, comment below. Comments are always welcome.