Dual Boot System Boots Directly Into Windows 11 Without The Menu Showing

Ensuring Accessible Boot Selection on a Dual-Boot System: Achieving Default Boot into Linux Mint on HP Pavilion 15 Gaming Laptop

Many users of dual-boot configurations seek a seamless startup experience that allows them to select their preferred operating system without additional steps. If you’re running a system with both Windows 11 and Linux Mint installed, you might notice that your device automatically loads into Windows 11 upon startup, bypassing the boot menu. This can be inconvenient if you frequently switch between the two operating systems.

Understanding the Default Boot Behavior

Modern computers equipped with UEFI firmware often prioritize Windows Boot Manager as the default boot option. As a result, the system boots directly into Windows 11 unless manually overridden. While this setup offers quick access to Windows, it can hinder users who wish to choose their operating system at each startup.

Objective

The goal is to configure your HP Pavilion 15 Gaming laptop so that it defaults to displaying the boot menu during startup, allowing you to select either Windows 11 or Linux Mint without manually entering the boot menu every time.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Access the UEFI Firmware Settings

2. Restart your laptop and press the key to enter the UEFI/BIOS setup. On HP devices, this is typically the Esc or F10 key.

3. Alternatively, from within Windows 11, navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced Startup > Restart Now. After the system restarts, select Use a Device > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Firmware Settings, then restart.

4. Modify Boot Priority Settings

5. Once inside the UEFI/BIOS settings:

   • Locate the Boot menu.
   • Set your Linux Mint’s boot entry as the first priority if it’s registered.
   • Alternatively, find the option to show a boot menu or select “Boot Menu Timeout” or similar settings.

6. Enable Boot Menu on Startup

7. Check for a setting called Boot Mode or Boot Order. Changing the boot order ensures that your system prompts for boot selection.

8. Enable or set the Boot Menu to be active during startup, often by setting a specific timeout period.

9. Configure Boot Manager for Dual-Boot

10. Linux Mint, installed alongside Windows, typically uses GRUB (the Linux bootloader) to manage multiple OS entries.

11. Ensure that GR