What does it mean to install two OS's alongside each other?

Posted by Josh on Super User See other posts from Super User or by Josh
Published on 2013-06-28T11:46:01Z Indexed on 2013/06/28 16:25 UTC
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I currently have Windows 7 installed on my PC. However, I just tried out Ubuntu via booting from a disc and I love it. I want to install it onto my HDD, but I don't want to get rid of Windows 7. I know HOW to do this, but I am a little unsure what the consequences might be. What does it mean to install Ubuntu alongside Windows? Do they share the same resources? Also, I have my HDD already partitioned into two sections, a 70 GB section where Windows is installed and then another 400 GB section where all my data is stored. There is currently 26 GB free on the 70GB partition. I know Ubuntu doesn't take up much space. However, if I install Ubuntu in that space, will I still be able to install programs on Windows in the future? My main concern is that I am going to short-change my hard drive space for future installations.

EDIT: I guess another big question I have is if I install a program on one OS, will the other be able to use it?

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