How do I put two Ubuntu OSes on the same hard drive?

Question

I don't want windows at all. I want two Ubuntu OSes on the same hard drive on my laptop. I use one OS for security and the other as a regular laptop since linux is so much faster than windows on old laptops. How do I install two ubuntu OSes on the same hard drive? Any webpages that show a step by step instruction?

Answer 1

Assuming there is nothing you want to preserve on your hard drive, you can do the following:

1. When you install the first instance of Ubuntu, at some point during installation there will be a window called "Installation type". Choose "Something else".
2. On the next window you can erase and create partitions. Make sure you create at least two partitions large enough for Ubuntu installations.
3. Select the partition on which you want to install the first instance of Ubuntu and press Change. Select Ext4 under "Use as" and "/" under "Mount point".
4. Go ahead, finish the installation.
5. Boot from the installation USB again and repeat step 1.
6. No need to repartition, as that was done in step 2. already.
7. Select the second partition and repeat Step 3. for it.
8. Go ahead, and finish the installation of the second instance.

The next time you boot the computer Grub will allow you to boot to whichever instance you want.

Answer 2

Each instance of Ubuntu or an Ubuntu family OS requires its own partition. You can run the installer for the second version you wish to install, and choose 'Something Else' when you get to Installation Type, and let it share the same drive; just not the same partition. See this step-by-step workflow illustration for Ubuntu 18.04 LTS.