220-1102 Operating Systems Practice Question
A technician is setting up a new computer for a user who wants to dual-boot Windows 10 and a Linux distribution on a single SSD. The technician has a blank drive. Which of the following is the MOST important step to perform FIRST before installing Linux?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often think disabling Secure Boot is mandatory for Linux, but the CompTIA 220-1102 exam tests the critical boot order requirement to prevent Windows from overwriting the Linux bootloader.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Install Windows 10 first on the entire drive
Installing Windows 10 first on the entire drive is the most important step because Windows uses its own boot manager and will overwrite the Master Boot Record (MBR) or GPT boot sector. If Linux is installed first, Windows will replace the Linux bootloader (e.g., GRUB) with its own, making Linux unbootable without repair. Installing Windows first ensures that the Linux bootloader can be installed afterward to manage the dual-boot menu.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Create a separate partition for Linux during Windows installation
Why it's wrong here
Creating a separate partition for Linux during Windows installation is a flawed first step because the Windows 10 setup expects to manage the entire disk's layout, and it will create hidden system partitions such as the EFI System Partition (ESP), MSR, and recovery tools. If you manually carve out space for Linux at this stage, you risk leaving unallocated sectors that Windows may not align correctly or may later repurpose. The correct workflow is to install Windows on the full drive, then use the Disk Management utility to shrink the NTFS volume or use the Linux installer's 'install alongside Windows' option to create the necessary partition cleanly.
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Disable Secure Boot in the BIOS
Why it's wrong here
Disabling Secure Boot in the BIOS is not the first action required when setting up a dual-boot system with Windows 10 and Linux. While several Linux distributions, especially older ones with unsigned third-party drivers, fail to boot when Secure Boot is active, Windows 10 installs fine with Secure Boot enabled and actually relies on it for security. You should install Windows 10 first, and only disable Secure Boot immediately before booting the Linux installer, because doing it earlier does not influence the Windows installation and might unnecessarily lower system security for that interim period.
- ✓
Install Windows 10 first on the entire drive
Why this is correct
Installing Windows 10 first on the entire drive is the correct initial step because Windows' boot manager is not designed to detect and chainload an existing Linux distribution; it will overwrite the EFI boot entries without offering a Linux option. In contrast, Linux bootloaders such as GRUB are explicitly built to detect installed Windows systems and add a menu entry that chainloads the Windows boot manager. By letting Windows own the disk first, you guarantee that the final boot sequence is GRUB → Windows Boot Manager → Windows, which is stable and recoverable, whereas installing Linux first would lead to Windows Setup clobbering the boot1st entry and rendering Linux unbootable.
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Configure the BIOS to boot from a USB drive
Why it's wrong here
Configuring the BIOS to boot from a USB drive is a necessary logistical step for launching either operating system's installer, but it is not the most important decision for a dual-boot configuration. This setting simply tells the firmware to look for bootable media on a USB port, and it will be changed again after the Windows installer reboots and when you later boot the Linux live USB. The critical factor is the installation order—Windows must be installed to the internal drive before Linux—because no USB boot order tweak can prevent the bootloader overwrite that occurs if Linux is installed first.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
BitLocker Drive Encryption
Key term
GUID Partition Table
A GUID Partition Table (GPT) is a modern standard for organizing and managing partitions on a storage drive, replacing the older Master Boot Record (MBR) system.
Key term
Windows 10
Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft that combines the familiarity of Windows 7 with the modern features of Windows 8, designed to run on a wide range of devices from desktops to tablets.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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