I'm looking to create a fully customized, fast, and lightweight version of Arch Linux, but I don't have a spare machine to use for the install, and I want to keep my current data safe. Is it possible to set up an Arch installation from scratch in a virtual machine and then transfer it to my physical machine once I'm satisfied with it? Would this be a good approach?
4 Answers
Yes, you can definitely build your install in a VM! After you're satisfied with your setup, you can convert the image to a raw format that can be installed on your target drive. Make sure to check your bootloader settings and any specific hardware requirements. It might sound complicated, but you’ll figure it out!
For sure, using a UEFI VM and passing through a whole drive can save you the trouble of transferring files later. However, I recommend getting comfortable with everything in the VM first before you switch to your hardware.
That’s a solid plan! Just make sure to keep a detailed log of any tweaks you make. It's also a good idea to back up your dot files to GitHub so you can easily transfer them later. But cloning the VM drive might not be feasible, so keep that in mind.
Absolutely, you can do that! The easiest method would be to experiment in the VM and replicate your configurations once you've got something you like. Just make sure to document every step you take for future reference.
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