Install Omarchy on a Windows Partition (Dual Boot)

Omarchy is not installed as a Windows application. To install Omarchy on a Windows partition, shrink the Windows volume into unallocated space, boot the Omarchy ISO, and select Free space install. Omarchy officially supports this dual-boot path, and its new partition still uses LUKS encryption by default.

Can you install Omarchy on Windows?

You can install Omarchy alongside Windows, not inside it as a normal app. Windows Disk Management creates unallocated space; the Omarchy installer creates its own Linux and boot partitions there. If you only want to evaluate the desktop without repartitioning, use a virtual machine.

1. Back up and decrypt in Windows

Store the BitLocker recovery key on another device and create a restore-tested file backup. Open PowerShell as Administrator and inspect the state:

manage-bde -status

Turn encryption off through Settings → Privacy & security → Device encryption, or run:

Disable-BitLocker -MountPoint "C:"

Decryption can take time. Run manage-bde -status again and proceed only when Conversion Status reports fully decrypted. On a work machine, also turn off Windows Fast Startup and perform a full shutdown so NTFS is not left hibernated.

2. Create space with Windows Disk Management

1. Search the Start menu for disk management.
2. Open Create and format hard disk partitions.
3. Right-click the Windows volume and choose Shrink Volume.
4. Enter the capacity for Omarchy; it includes Omarchy's boot and system space.
5. Confirm the result is shown as Unallocated.

Do not create a new NTFS volume in that space and do not delete the EFI, Windows, or recovery partitions. Capture the existing layout before installation.

3. Boot the Omarchy ISO

Create media with the ISO and USB guide and boot it in UEFI mode. Follow the current official Secure Boot/TPM guidance; do not clear the TPM on Windows hardware.

Re-check keyboard, user, timezone, and password on the installer confirmation page. Select the same physical disk that contains the new unallocated area. Never guess from a tutorial's /dev/nvme0n1 example.

4. Select Free space install

After selecting the disk, enable Free space install. On the final confirmation, verify that only unallocated space will be consumed. If it proposes erasing the disk or formatting Windows, EFI, or recovery partitions, go back or exit.

Keep default LUKS encryption and begin. Do not switch to the no-encryption alternative at formatting confirmation unless this is a disposable machine explicitly containing no sensitive data.

5. Add Windows to Limine

Limine becomes the default bootloader after installation. If Windows is absent from its menu, run in Omarchy:

limine-scan

Read the discovered entries, select the real Windows Boot Manager, allow the tool to update Limine configuration, then reboot to verify:

systemctl reboot

Do not overwrite EFI files as an experiment. If limine-scan does not discover Windows, first confirm Windows Boot Manager still exists in UEFI, then collect lsblk -f and efibootmgr -v for diagnosis.

6. Test both systems and retain recovery

• Boot Omarchy from Limine and verify unlock, network, and reboot.
• Boot Windows and verify files, network, and updates.
• Re-check Windows device-encryption state; do not assume it re-enabled itself.
• After firmware or major Windows updates, inspect UEFI boot order first.
• Retain Windows recovery media and the BitLocker recovery key.

Prefer a separate physical disk or VM when the only disk is production-critical, recovery media is missing, or downtime is unacceptable. If BitLocker, disk selection, formatting, or the first reboot stops, follow the installation troubleshooting guide before changing partitions again.

Sources: Omarchy Dual Boot Install and Microsoft Disk Management.