Grub and Windows update

[Liam Proven]

On Fri, 31 Jan 2020 at 18:51, Bill <bstanle at wowway.com> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I am installing Linux for a friend that has a nasty Windows virus.
> Rather than pay mucho dollars to have the virus cleaned from her
> computer, she decided to migrate to Linux instead.  (Good idea!)

OK. Are you going to do a clean install of Win10 to eliminate any
malware traces?

> The issue is that she wants to dual boot her computer and use Windows
> for only playing games (not online) and use Linux for everything else.
> The problem is Windows update.  Since Grub will replace the Windows boot
> loader, can Windows update affect the Grub boot loader in any way.

It is possible but unlikely.

I found doing the Win7 → Win10 upgrade did not work when GRUB was
installed, because the Win10 installer temporarily needs to tweaks
Windows' bootloader. It can't if you're not defaulting to Windows'
bootloader.

The Win10 1909 upgrade also killed GRUB on my machine but it's a
fragile box with difficult UEFI. Not seen this on any other machine.

>  I
> have dual booted my computers with no problems ( I have no experience
> with Windows 10)

All other versions of Windows are out of support now and I would not
recommend using any of them any more.

>  but hers is Windows 10 and I heard that Windows update
> can be more intrusive affecting even the BIOS.  How could I disable the
> network (in Windows only, not Linux) so there is no internet access when
> she is using Windows?

I don't think you can without breaking changes.

> Another possible issue is UEFI.  Should I disable UEFI in the BIOS?

You can't.

UEFI is an alternative to BIOS. You have one or the other.

You can disable Secure Boot mode. This is a good plan for Linux.



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