Hi. I’ve not really used Windows since the early 2000. Even then not much.
I have a single mini PC with windows on. And use it only for device firmware updates. As a ham radio nerd. You get many devices that can only be modified via windows.
Anyway it was set up with dual boot the normal way. Windows first as it came with it. Then make a real Linux partition to use the PC on my boat while travelling.
Now the issue is I am upgrading the Mini PC. Basically replacing memory and the tiny 128gb ssd. So need to install it all from scratch.
I have order a copy of windows 11 from ebay. (At a price I consider acceptable for the crap)
But its going to take several days to arrive. And I would like to be more efficient.
So I am hoping folks can advice me on the best way to set up the PC with Linux first then install Windows 11 later. Knowing windows has a habit of messing up grub etc.
Could always attempt firmware updates from within a Windows VM but I suspect your mileage may vary and there’s always the risk of bricking a device when updating firmware (and a VM may increase that risk, I don’t know).
I would echo the suggestion of others, simply add a second drive, don’t dual boot, just change the target device for boot in the UEFI settings when you need to load windows. Also, I wouldn’t bother buying windows if you will only boot it for firmware updates and that’s it — waste of money — and with what MS is doing with windows as of late (ads, Recall, etc), I have personally dumped windows altogether.