How Can I Install Linux Without Losing My Data?

First off, I really recommend finding a way to back up your data. It's crucial to have at least one backup copy. Even if you think your data is safe, hard drives can fail unexpectedly. If you can get a cheap external drive, it’ll save you a lot of stress down the line. And if your backup is currently broken, try to focus on saving the most important files first before proceeding with the install.

You don't need to back up all your data, just the important stuff you absolutely want to keep. Drives can fail at any time, so it's best to prioritize what you most care about. If you can save space by zipping files that aren't frequently accessed, that might help too!

You can totally run Linux straight from a thumb drive! It might be a bit slow, but it won't affect your main drive unless you tell it to. This way, you can use Linux for now while you sort out your storage situation. It's a perfect temporary solution until you figure out how to install it fully without losing any data.

At the end of the day, if you’re serious about this, you’ll probably need to invest in a new hard drive or SSD. There's really no hack to fit all your data into a smaller space without some risk of losing things during the install.

If your files are stored on external USB drives, just make sure to select your main PC's storage during the installation process. However, if you're dual-booting with Windows, remember that any Windows partitions will be erased unless you set them up correctly. Just be very careful during the installation to only format what you want to!