I'm adding another SSD to my Alienware 16 Aurora and want to install PikaOS on it. Can I install Linux while the existing Windows SSD remains connected, or is it safer to remove or disconnect the Windows drive during installation?
2 Answers
The safest approach is to temporarily remove or disconnect the Windows SSD, install PikaOS on the new drive, and then reconnect the Windows drive afterward. You can use the UEFI boot menu to choose which drive to start from. This avoids accidentally selecting the wrong disk or placing the Linux bootloader on the Windows drive.
It is possible to install Linux with both SSDs connected, but pay close attention during setup. Verify that the new SSD is selected for the Linux partitions and bootloader. Disconnecting the Windows drive first is less convenient, but it greatly reduces the chance of modifying or overwriting the Windows installation.
Using separate drives works well, and you can set Linux as the default boot option while still selecting Windows from the UEFI menu whenever you need it.