Hey everyone! I'm looking to try out Linux Mint alongside my Windows 11 installation, and I could use some guidance. I've got two SSDs: a 512GB one with Windows on it and a 1TB drive for games and media. Here are my questions:
1. Can I dual boot from the 512GB SSD where Windows is already installed, or would it be better to install Linux on the 1TB drive? I'd really like to use the smaller drive since it's mostly empty.
2. If I decide to go fully with Linux, what's the best way to wipe Windows? And likewise, if I want to revert to Windows later, what's the process?
For now, I'm not planning to wipe Windows until July since I've got an Xbox Game Pass subscription that I want to make the most of. Thanks for any tips!
3 Answers
Installing Mint on the 1TB SSD is a solid call! That way, you can keep your setup clean and just continue using your Windows installation. Plus, if you do decide to switch over completely, you can easily reformat that 512GB SSD for extra storage later. Check out this article for a step-by-step guide on dual-booting with Mint and Windows on separate drives.
You can definitely install Linux on the 512GB SSD if you don't have anything else on there. Just set up your Linux home folder on the 1TB drive to save space! If you eventually want to remove Windows, the easiest way is to reinstall Linux and it’ll give you the option to wipe Windows clean during setup. Just be careful if you decide to manually change partitions later on—it's tricky without some experience!
Also, just check that Windows hasn't put some files on your 512GB drive by default. If those get wiped, it might mess with your booting!
Honestly, it’s really up to you! Installing Linux on a separate SSD can be a bit easier since it keeps things organized. There are tons of tutorials online to help with the dual-boot setup. Remember to back up everything first; it's super easy to accidentally wipe data. If you choose one OS permanently down the line, you can just remove the partitions for the one you don’t need. Also, consider testing things out in a virtual machine before committing!
Thanks for the insight! Would it be better to have both OSes on the same drive with separate partitions, or should I go for installing Linux on its own drive? Also, can I access my files from both operating systems in either case?