I'm new to Linux and want to replace everything on my computer with a full-disk installation rather than set up a dual boot. Most tutorials I've found use a USB drive, but I don't currently have one. Are there safe alternatives, such as booting an ISO from the existing hard drive or using network installation?
4 Answers
Booting an ISO directly from the hard drive with a bootloader can work, but it’s an advanced and riskier approach. Also, full-disk encryption adds another layer of complexity. If this is your first Linux installation, it’s better to use normal installation media and get comfortable with an unencrypted setup before attempting a more complicated method.
Network installation tools such as netboot.xyz may work if your computer supports booting from the network and you have a reliable wired connection. The exact steps depend on your computer’s firmware and the Linux distribution, so this is usually less beginner-friendly than using installation media.
Yes, it’s possible, but the installation method and the choice between full-disk and dual-boot are separate issues. You can use network booting, a CD/DVD, or sometimes boot an ISO stored on the internal drive. The full-disk installer option will still work once you reach the installer.
The simplest and safest option is still to borrow or buy a basic USB drive. It doesn’t need to be large or expensive. Workarounds involving shrinking a partition, extracting the ISO, configuring the bootloader, and then deleting the old system are more complicated and could leave the computer unable to boot if something goes wrong.
So creating a temporary partition for the ISO shouldn’t affect whether I choose full disk or dual boot during installation?