Ubuntu 22.04 → 24.04 Upgrade (Dual Boot with Windows)

This guide documents how to safely replace Ubuntu 22.04 with Ubuntu 24.04 on a dual-boot system while preserving Windows.

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System Setup

Single internal SSD (nvme0n1) with:

• nvme0n1p1 → EFI partition (Windows Boot Manager)
• nvme0n1p3 → Windows (NTFS)
• nvme0n1p4 → Windows Recovery
• nvme0n1p5 → Ubuntu 22.04 (to be replaced)

This layout can be verified by running:

lsblk -o NAME,SIZE,TYPE,MOUNTPOINT

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Goal

• Replace Ubuntu 22.04 → Ubuntu 24.04
• Keep Windows untouched
• Avoid triple boot setup
• Preserve EFI partition

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Step 1 — Create Bootable USB

Download Ubuntu 24.04 ISO and create a bootable USB using Balena Etcher or similar.

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Step 2 — Boot from USB (MSI)

1. Insert USB
2. Reboot system
3. Press F11 to open boot menu

   Note: The key to access the boot menu depends on your motherboard or laptop manufacturer.
   Common keys include: F11 (MSI), F12, ESC, or F9.

4. Select UEFI: USB

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Step 3 — Start Installer

Once you boot from the USB, you will see the first screen:

Select Try or Install Ubuntu.

You will then go through a series of initial setup screens:

• Choose your language
• Accessibility
• Keyboard layout
• Connect to internet
• Updates available → skip
• Select Install Ubuntu
• Choose Interactive Installation
• Select Default selection

The following GIF shows the flow of these steps:

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Recommended Software Options

On the next screen, make sure to select both:

• Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware
• Download and install support for additional media formats

This ensures:

• Proper GPU drivers
• Wi-Fi compatibility
• Media playback support

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Step 4 — Choose Installation Type

Select:

• Manual installation

Do NOT select:

• Install alongside
• Erase disk

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Step 5 — Partition Setup

Important: This is the most critical step of the entire process.
Make sure you select the correct disk and partition. Choosing the wrong one can lead to data loss.

If unsure, stop and verify your partitions first:

lsblk -o NAME,SIZE,TYPE,MOUNTPOINT

or:

sudo fdisk -l

In this case:

• Disk: nvme0n1 (internal SSD)
• Partition: nvme0n1p5 → Ubuntu 22.04

This partition will be formatted and replaced with Ubuntu 24.04.

Identify the correct disk:

• nvme0n1 → internal SSD (target)

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Configure Ubuntu Partition

Select:

• nvme0n1p5

Set:

• Filesystem → Ext4
• Mount point → /
• Format → enabled

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Configure EFI Partition

Select:

• nvme0n1p1

Set:

• Mount point → /boot/efi
• Format → disabled

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Bootloader Location

Set:

• Device for bootloader installation → nvme0n1

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Step 6 — Final Check

Ensure:

• Only nvme0n1p5 is formatted
• Windows partition (nvme0n1p3) is untouched
• EFI partition is NOT formatted
• Bootloader is installed on nvme0n1

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Step 7 — Review and Install

Before starting the installation, carefully review the summary:

• Installation disk: nvme0n1
• EFI partition: nvme0n1p1 → used for /boot/efi (not formatted)
• Root partition: nvme0n1p5 → formatted as ext4 and used for /

Make sure:

• Only nvme0n1p5 is being formatted
• The Windows partition (nvme0n1p3) is not listed for formatting
• The EFI partition is used but not formatted

If everything looks correct, click Install to begin the installation.

This will:

• Replace Ubuntu 22.04 with Ubuntu 24.04
• Keep Windows intact
• Configure the system to use GRUB for dual boot

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Step 8 — Reboot

After installation:

• Remove USB
• Reboot system

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Expected Result

GRUB boot menu appears with:

• Ubuntu 24.04
• Windows Boot Manager