Install Linux on Windows 8 tablet - how it works

In this practical CHIP tip, you will learn how to install Linux on your Windows tablet in addition to Windows 8.

Linux on the Windows 8 tablet: prepare boot medium

Before installing Linux on your tablet, you must first prepare a boot medium on which Linux is stored.

The first thing to do is to find out which image you need for your tablet. In this example the Linux distribution "Ubuntu" is used. You can choose between a 32-bit, a 64-bit and ARM variant. Tablets usually have an ARM processor.
Also download the Win32 Disk Imager program and install it.
For the installation you also need a USB stick with at least 4 GB storage capacity. Format this USB stick first with FAT32 and then start the program Win32 Disk Imager. Select the downloaded Ubuntu file under "Image File" and the drive of your USB stick under "Device". Finally click on "Write".

Next you have to let your tablet boot from the USB stick. However, this does not always work as easily as with a normal computer.

Shut down your tablet PC and insert the USB stick. Then restart your tablet. This should now automatically boot from the stick.
However, if your tablet starts up normally, switch it off again and press the volume up button and the power button on your tablet at the same time to access the UEFI (BIOS). Here you can now set that the tablet should boot from the stick.

Now you can install Linux on your tablet as normal. However, if you want to use Windows later, you have to take care of a little thing.

During the installation, select "Install Ubuntu next to Windows 8". You can then partition your tablet's memory dynamically. Later you can use both Linux and Windows on your tablet.

You can find even more practical tips on Linux here.