Yes, this is usually quite easy. Depending on the linux distribution, there might be an installer to set up most of it automatically. Most have a guide for how to do it. I haven't installed Windows myself since the days of XP, but I think more modern ones should also dual boot just fine. Good luck!

MeneerJansen

I think you are going about it all wrong. Let me expand. AFAIK you have a working distro that can no longer be upgraded and you want to put a new distro on your hard drive.

At some point of time, in any install of any distro....your system is unbootable so do not fuss about that.

Secondly if you choose a live cd/usb that can connect to the internet and also offer install....your fears should be allayed.

So IMHO.....use a live cd/usb ....user root powers to delete all partitions and start a new design.
I am a big fan of not having any UEFI or GPT stuff....I love MBR and I love simple partitions. You already seem to have had that.

Do not let some old choices control your thinking please. You are in control. Start afresh....welcome to the journey of learning.

I always keep a live usb around, actually I use one specifically for imaging of my partition using a command line tool called fsarchiver, but other people like things like clonezilla and such. Your choice of live cd/usb does not have to be the same as your install. eg in the old days I used Knoppix which still exists.

Good luck