I'm new to Linux and planning to run Linux Mint Cinnamon for a trial without fully switching yet. I spent hours looking for answers and still have some questions.
1. Can I test Linux without affecting my files on the C-drive? I can't do a full backup right now.
2. If I install Linux on an external drive, can I plug it into another computer and pick up where I left off?
3. What size external drive should I use for installing and running Linux?
4. Can I access files between both systems? If I save a file in Linux, will I be able to access it on Windows and vice-versa?
5. Are there any long-term effects on my hardware or data corruption concerns from running Linux this way?
For context, I have an HP All-in-One 24-df0xxx with an Intel Core i3 10th gen and 8GB RAM. I'm currently running Windows 11. Also, sometimes my PC blacks out when playing videos, which I believe is linked to my graphics driver. I'm hoping Linux will help with this issue.
1 Answer
1. Yes, you can test-drive Linux without messing with your existing files on the C-drive!
2. Absolutely, you can take that external drive to another PC and continue using it.
3. For a basic Linux installation, 50GB should be okay, but around 100GB is better if you plan to install additional applications.
4. You can access basic data from Windows if you mount the Linux drive, but getting files the other way is tricky since Windows doesn't natively support the ext4 file system. There are third-party drivers, but their reliability can vary.
5. As for your hardware, no long-term negative effects should arise, but there’s a small chance of data issues over time, especially since NTFS support on Linux isn't perfect. However, this typically happens over a long duration and is fixable through Windows.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for the clear breakdown! Very helpful!