I'm looking to dual boot Linux and was wondering if I can use the same external hard drive that I plan to run Linux on to also install it, instead of using a flash drive. Is this possible?
3 Answers
Generally, you wouldn't boot an installer from the same USB you're installing to. It's technically possible with advanced skills, but not recommended for beginners. Most Linux distributions perform best when you stick to using a USB for installation, so I suggest picking up a normal USB stick to keep it simple.
You really need some form of bootable media to kick off the installation process, like a USB stick. Trying to install Linux directly on the same external hard drive can be risky. Just grab a 16GB USB for a couple of bucks; it's a much safer option!
Honestly, a USB drive is pretty cheap—around $20 for a decent one. It’s definitely worth it to avoid the headaches of trying to install directly from your external drive.
Thanks, that’s super helpful!