I'm a student looking to learn Linux, but I'm unsure about the best approach. I have experience with Pop!_OS from a friend's old LG laptop, but I'm worried about messing up my main Windows setup. Should I stick with a virtual machine for now, or is it okay to try dual booting? Also, any recommendations for resources where I can learn Linux command prompts would be great!
3 Answers
I'd recommend starting with a virtual machine. It keeps your main system safe while you explore Linux without any risks. If you feel comfortable after some practice, then you can think about dual booting later. Just make sure to back up your data first—it's super easy to accidentally mess with partitions and lose everything if you're not careful!
I'd suggest using either a VM or, if possible, a second machine. I love Linux but wouldn't risk my Windows system, especially since it can be a bit finicky with dual boots. Better safe than sorry with your data! Just tinker away in a VM for now and see how you like it!
Using a VM is a smart way to go! I also suggest checking out the resources on [this wiki page](http://www.reddit.com/r/linux4noobs/wiki/faq) for some great reading material to get started with command lines and Linux concepts in general. If you start experimenting in a VM, you'll find it much easier when you're ready to dual boot!
For sure! And Smokey's tip is spot on: understand commands before hitting Enter—it saves so much headache!
Definitely back up! I've seen friends lose their entire Windows setup just because they weren't paying attention during installation.