Do you want to try Windows 11 24H2 but don’t want to give up your Windows 10 installation? You don’t have to. In this guide, I show you how to dual boot Windows 11 24H2 and Windows 10 on the same drive, even if your PC doesn’t officially support Windows 11.
Update (October 2026): Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, and Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro stopped getting updates on October 13, 2026. Microsoft’s download page now gives you a newer Windows 11 version. For the latest method on unsupported PCs, see How to Install Windows 11 26H2 on Unsupported PC.
In this article
Why Dual Boot?
Dual booting is a great way to test Windows 11 without upgrading for good. Both systems are installed on the same drive, and you choose which one to start every time you turn on the PC. You can check Windows 11’s features, compatibility and performance while Windows 10 stays untouched.
If you decide Windows 11 isn’t for you, removing it is easy and you go back to using Windows 10 as before. This method is ideal for older PCs and unsupported hardware that don’t meet all Windows 11 requirements.
What You’ll Need
- A Windows 11 24H2 ISO file (from Microsoft’s download page)
- Rufus (to create a bootable USB drive)
- EaseUS Partition Master (to partition your drive)
- A USB flash drive (at least 8 GB, ideally 16 GB or larger)
- Basic knowledge of partition management
Warning: Resizing partitions and converting disks always carries some risk. Back up your important files before you start.
Step-by-Step: Dual Boot Windows 11 and Windows 10 on the Same Drive
Step 1: Check Your Processor
Even on an unsupported PC, your processor must be able to run Windows 11 24H2. The free tool CPU-Z shows in the Instructions field whether your CPU supports SSE4.2, which 24H2 needs. To see your TPM version, press Windows + R, type tpm.msc and press Enter.
Step 2: Download the Windows 11 24H2 ISO
Go to the Microsoft website and download the Windows 11 ISO. Make sure you select the right language and edition for your system.
To check your current Windows language, run this command in Command Prompt:
dism /online /get-intlStep 3: Create a Bootable USB Drive with Rufus
Open Rufus, select your USB drive and the ISO file. Set the Partition scheme to GPT, which modern UEFI systems need. If you pick MBR by mistake, Windows 11 setup may refuse to install.
When you click Start, Rufus shows a Windows User Experience window. Tick the option to remove the requirement for Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 if your PC doesn’t meet them.
Tip: Rufus erases the USB drive, so copy any important files from it first.
Step 4: Make Space for Windows 11
Now create space for Windows 11. In EaseUS Partition Master, shrink your Windows 10 partition and create a new partition in the free space. You can also use Windows Disk Management, but EaseUS makes the process simpler and safer. For a step-by-step guide, see How to Partition C Drive in Windows 11 Without Formatting.
Setup needs at least 52 GB for Windows 11, so make the partition at least 60 GB. Microsoft’s official minimum is 64 GB of storage, so give it more if you have the space.
Step 5: Convert MBR to GPT (If Needed)
If your drive uses MBR and Windows 11 setup shows an error about it, convert the disk to GPT. EaseUS Partition Master can convert the drive without losing data.
You can also do it with Command Prompt (run as administrator). First check that the disk can be converted, then convert it:
mbr2gpt /validate /allowFullOS
mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOSImportant: After converting to GPT, switch your BIOS from Legacy (CSM) to UEFI mode, otherwise Windows 10 will not start. I show how in my guide How to Prepare Your PC to Support Windows 11 (TPM 2.0, UEFI and Secure Boot) and in this video:
Video tutorial: How to Enable TPM 2.0 | Secure Boot | Convert to UEFI | Prepare for Windows 11
Step 6: Boot from the USB Drive and Install Windows 11
- Plug in the USB drive and restart your PC.
- Open the boot menu (the key depends on your PC, often F8, F9, F11, F12 or Esc) and choose the USB drive.
- When setup asks where to install Windows 11, select the partition you created in Step 4.
- Start the installation.
Warning: Do not select, delete or format the Windows 10 partition during setup.
Step 7: Finish the Installation
When Windows 11 is installed, your PC restarts and asks you to choose between Windows 10 and Windows 11 at startup. Congratulations, you now have a dual-boot system!
Step 8: Test the Dual Boot
Restart your computer to make sure the dual boot works. You should see the option to select Windows 10 or Windows 11 when the system starts. Now you can switch between them whenever you need.
Troubleshooting Common Errors
- Partition size too small: If you get an error about the partition size, make sure the Windows 11 partition is at least 52 GB. If it’s smaller, resize it with EaseUS or Disk Management.
- GPT partition requirement: If Windows 11 won’t install because the drive is MBR, convert it to GPT as shown in Step 5.
- TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot: If setup says your PC doesn’t meet the requirements, recreate the USB drive with Rufus and tick the option that removes the TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements (Step 3).
Optional: Remove Windows 11
If you decide Windows 11 isn’t for you, removing it is simple:
- Start Windows 10. Press Windows + R, type
msconfig, open the Boot tab, select the Windows 11 entry and click Delete. This removes it from the startup menu. - Open Disk Management or EaseUS Partition Master and delete the Windows 11 partition.
- Extend your Windows 10 partition to take back the space. Disk Management can only extend into free space that sits right after the partition; EaseUS can also move partitions if needed.
Watch the Video Tutorial
For the full walkthrough, watch the video at the top of this page, where I cover every step, including how to solve common errors during installation.
EaseUS Partition Master Giveaway
EaseUS Partition Master giveaway license for the first 100 devices!
Get EaseUS Partition Master here: https://bit.ly/4h8tU0C
EQ2VZ-ZFPCP-4FFTY-2ZL5N-M1812Note: This key was limited to the first 100 devices, so it may already be used up.
Final Words
Dual booting Windows 11 with Windows 10 on the same drive is a practical way to try the new system without committing to a full upgrade. It’s perfect for unsupported PCs and for anyone who wants to test Windows 11 24H2 before switching. And because you can remove Windows 11 easily, there’s no risk in giving it a try!
If you have questions or run into problems, leave a comment below or reach out on my YouTube channel. 👍
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