How to change boot options permanently (Win 10 not being default)?

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  1. Posts : 12
    Windows 10
       #1

    How to change boot options permanently (Win 10 not being default)?


    I am trying to have my computer boot Linux by default, from an external hard drive, while my internal drive has Windows 10 on it. Unfortunately I cannot get it to work: Windows 10 boots automatically at every restart and cold start.

    Steps I've taken so far:
    The boot order I want is set and saved in BIOS. There's no uEFI on my computer.
    Windows 10 fast startup option is disabled. I also disabled the hibernation option just in case.

    Still, I can only get Linux to boot by going into BIOS every time and selecting the (already selected) external hard drive again. When I then try to mount the internal (Win 10) disk from within Linux, I get an error saying it cannot be mounted because Windows 10 is still using it.

    Any ideas how to solve this and give full boot control back to BIOS?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 298
    Win-10 Pro x64
       #2

    Hey Kinimod,

    Have a look HERE. (However I just noted you want to boot from an external drive, so I'm not sure if this is applicable)

    b1rd
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 12
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi b1rd, thanks but those instructions are for Vista. Windows 10 doesn't seem to have those configuration options.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 298
    Win-10 Pro x64
       #4

    I just now found the below article, but again, I'm not sure if it works with externals. This one, however, does indicate Win-10 though. (From this site too).
    Operating System to Run at Startup - Choose Default in Windows 10
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 12
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks, those are useful settings. However, all of the described approaches show Windows 10 as the only OS option to me. Actually this makes sense because Windows can't read disks or partitions that are formatted for Linux (ext4 file system). So I think the OS needs to be chosen before Windows takes control of the boot process. This is what my BIOS settings are supposed to do, but it seems Windows still gets in there because somehow it's not completely shut down, despite the settings I described above. Anyone have more ideas?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 191
    Windows XP, 10; Knoppix [Debian] linux
       #6

    Kinimod said:
    Thanks, those are useful settings. However, all of the described approaches show Windows 10 as the only OS option to me. Actually this makes sense because Windows can't read disks or partitions that are formatted for Linux (ext4 file system). So I think the OS needs to be chosen before Windows takes control of the boot process. This is what my BIOS settings are supposed to do, but it seems Windows still gets in there because somehow it's not completely shut down, despite the settings I described above. Anyone have more ideas?
    1. In Windows 10, turn off fast startup using the power options in the control panel.
    2. Under Windows 10, install EasyBCD and edit the boot configuration to reflect your preferences.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 12
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    1. As I said, fast startup is already turned off.
    2. We are talking about basic computer functionality. There must be a way to do this without buying a third-party tool.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 7,128
    Windows 10 Pro Insider
       #8

    You can download and use EasyBCD for free as long as it's for personal use. EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 191
    Windows XP, 10; Knoppix [Debian] linux
       #9

    Kinimod said:
    1. As I said, fast startup is already turned off.
    2. We are talking about basic computer functionality. There must be a way to do this without buying a third-party tool.
    Sorry - I missed that in your OP you did say fast startup and hibernation were disabled.
    As for using third-party tools, the "community edition" of EasyBCD is free. It's a versatile tool worth having, I'd give it a try.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,249
    Windows 8.1, Win10Pro
       #10

    Kinimod said:
    When I then try to mount the internal (Win 10) disk from within Linux, I get an error saying it cannot be mounted because Windows 10 is still using it.

    Any ideas how to solve this and give full boot control back to BIOS?
    The problem is with FastStartup disabled, it still depends on HOW you shut down Win10. If you select Restart, it ignores the FastStartup setting and hibernates, anyway. You must select Shut Down.
      My Computer


 

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