New build with Dual boot installation

I'm building an all new tower. I want to set it up to dual boot W7 Pro and Linux Mint. I have been researching how to dual boot and there are a load of different methods, some involving extra software and some not. Some say to install Windows first and then add Linux. Some say to put one of them into a Virtual Machine (whatever that is). And there is a lot of advice about partitions which I don't really get. I have been using W7 for a long time and will stick with it as long as I can but at the same time I want to get familiar with Linux for the sad day I have to jump ship. They all say Linux will be simple but different. I'm sorry guys, it looks like being a near vertical learning curve for me and there is very little documentation to help me along the way.

Can anyone suggest the best way to achieve my dual boot? I can't risk bricking my existing W7 machine by making a mess of adding Linux to it so that's why the new build.

A virtual free PC is bomb proof you down load free virtual box run it and install Linux on it just like a normal install you don't need with partitions boot etc so it's safe. There will be lots of tutors on YouTube

Thanks for the response. I'll look into that.

New hardware requires new drivers that aren't on the Win 7 installation disk. You have to add them to the installation disk (SATA, USB3.x, MVMe)

Update your Win 7 installation media.

Integrate7 script – automatically download and slipstream all updates!

SIW2 said:

If you are planning on running win7 you will need to choose new components with a bit of care.
For example win7 requires CSM in the bios. AMD chips with on board graphics ( ending in G ) should be avoided. On some motherboards the usb3 ports do not work with win7 - for those an add in card can be used.

That is a most important point. I only found out by chance while reading the various specs on the Asus motherboard site. Apparently you can't install W7 on anything past a 6th generation processor. I have purchased:
Asus Intel Prime H270-Pro LGA 1151 ATX
and
Intel Core I3 6100 BX8066213600 Skylake
3.7ghz Dual core

These should be OK with W7.

Megahertz07 said:

New hardware requires new drivers that aren't on the Win 7 installation disk. You have to add them to the installation disk (SATA, USB3.x, MVMe)

Update your Win 7 installation media.

Integrate7 script – automatically download and slipstream all updates!

Thanks for the links. It looks like I'll have quite a bit more preparation to do before getting on with the installation. As always, I ask one question and end up with two more to solve.

I stand corrected. I must have got the wrong idea from the Asus *techno blurb.
It certainly made it difficult sourcing the parts. The board was discontinued ages ago and the processors are getting a bit thin on the ground as well. Still, on the bright side, when they are superseded they get heavily discounted.

*
"Windows® 8.1 64-bit and Windows® 7 32/64-bit are only supported when using 6th Generation Intel® Processors"


Taking a break now. Back this pm.