I just got a new laptop and I'm looking to set up a dual boot system with Windows 11 and Linux Mint. The built-in SSD is only 256GB, and I don't want to partition it further. Instead, I have a 1TB M.2 SSD, but since there's only one slot on the laptop, I need to clone Windows to the larger drive. Can I do this using an external drive, or what's the best way to proceed? I have a Thinkpad T14 Gen 6 with Windows 11 installed, and I'm new to Linux.
2 Answers
Be careful when messing with BIOS or disk configurations as it might lead to data loss. Always make sure to back up your data before making any major changes! As for your setup: since the laptop is new, if you're logged into your Microsoft account, download the Windows 11 installer from the official site and create a bootable USB. Replace the small SSD with the new 1TB drive, boot from the USB, and install Windows 11 there. Just choose to wipe the old partitions and leave some free space. Your Windows 11 should automatically activate when you log back in. After that, you can install Linux Mint in the unallocated space without any issues!
That's a solid plan! Just make sure to disable Fast Startup and consider turning off hibernation in Windows. This helps avoid boot issues between Windows and Linux. If you leave hibernation on, you might have trouble booting into Linux after using hibernation in Windows! Good luck with your dual boot!
Thanks for the tip! I had no idea that could mess things up. I'll follow your advice!