Install Ubuntu 24 on a Separate Disk: A Standalone Setup Guide Looking to keep Windows and Ubuntu isolated during installation? This guide shows you how to install Ubuntu 24 on a separate disk — without interference from other operating systems.
What “Separate Disk” and “Standalone” Actually Mean
A separate disk setup installs Ubuntu on its own physical drive, ideal for maintaining clean OS boundaries. Standalone installation means no other OS is connected during setup—Windows included. If your PC has Windows installed, disconnect its disk before installing Ubuntu. Once done, you can reconnect it and choose which OS to boot via BIOS or boot menu. This ensures GRUB installs only to the Ubuntu disk.
What You’ll Need
Ubuntu 24 Installation Media: Create a bootable USB using tools like Rufus.
Access to BIOS/UEFI: You’ll adjust boot priority or launch from boot menu.
For help creating USB media or booting from USB, check out the linked articles below.
How To Download Linux Ubuntu 24 ISO - Latest Version - Official
How To Create Linux Ubuntu 24 Bootable USB Drive with Rufus
How To Boot from a USB Flash Drive
Start the Installation Process
Boot from your Ubuntu USB and choose Try or Install Ubuntu. If you face graphical issues, select Safe Graphics.
Follow these steps:
Choose language → Next
Select keyboard layout → Next
Choose internet connection → Next
Leave default Install Ubuntu & Interactive Installation → Next
Select app set → Next
Enable proprietary software → Next
Disk Setup (Partitioning)
Linux identifies disks as sda, sdb, nvme0n1, etc. Choose Erase Disk and Install Ubuntu for automatic partitioning, or go manual:
New Disk? Click disk → New Partition Table
Used Disk? Delete old partitions
Simple Scheme (MBR):
Root partition (/) in ext4
Optional swap partition
GPT Scheme + UEFI:
Create EFI partition
Create root (/) partition
Optionally create swap
Ubuntu uses a swap file by default, so the swap partition is optional. If creating one, use the same size as your RAM (or 2x for low-memory systems).
Ensure the bootloader device matches your Ubuntu disk.
Final Setup & Installation
Enter name, computer name, username, and password.
Optionally disable password login.
Select time zone
Review choices and click Install
Once done, hit Restart Now
Now your Ubuntu 24 system is ready to roll! With your Windows disk safely untouched, you’ve set up a clean dual-boot system the smart way.