Installing a New OS on a Blank Drive: Do I Need to Disconnect My Main SSD?

You can safely install your new OS on the second drive without disconnecting the first one. Just remember, if you have specific programs that don't work well on Linux Mint, they might not work on other distros either. If all else fails, you always have the option of installing Windows on that second drive!

When you say you want to 'put something' on the second SSD, are you looking to install an OS or just add files? If it's another OS, no need to unplug the main drive. But if you're looking at running Windows programs, you might want to consider using tools like Wine or Bottles on Mint. Just keep in mind some programs may still run better on Windows.

You don't need to disconnect your primary SSD when installing on the second one. It's generally safe to do the installation without that step, but it's a good idea to keep backups just in case you accidentally overwrite something. You can still run Windows programs on Linux Mint, so if you're considering sticking with it, that's an option too.