I recently replaced the SSD in my gaming PC, so the computer now has a fresh Windows 11 installation and my old SSD is available separately. I want to try Linux, probably Ubuntu, because I do not rely on games with anti-cheat software and I am increasingly uncomfortable with Microsoft. Before replacing Windows, I mainly want to check whether Discord, voice/audio, and a fairly recent multiplayer game such as Big Walk work properly.
My idea was to put the old SSD in a USB enclosure, install Ubuntu on it, and boot from that drive whenever I want to test Linux. My boyfriend thinks I should instead shrink the Windows partition on the new SSD and install Linux alongside Windows. I am still learning the technical side of this and would rather avoid changing the new Windows installation until I know Linux will meet my needs.
Does dual-booting provide any meaningful advantage for this kind of trial, or would using the old SSD be a sensible approach? I am also open to suggestions about Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or other beginner-friendly distributions.
5 Answers
Using the old SSD is a perfectly sensible way to test Linux, and it leaves the new Windows installation untouched. Put the old drive in a USB enclosure, install Linux to that drive, and use the BIOS boot menu or boot-order settings to select it. Your files, settings, and installed programs will persist between reboots, unlike a temporary live USB session. USB storage may be somewhat slower for gaming, but it should be adequate for checking Discord, audio, and whether the game runs.
If you install Linux on the old drive, make sure the installer puts the Linux bootloader on that drive too. Then you can choose the Linux or Windows drive from the BIOS boot menu. This keeps the two installations relatively independent, so a problem with Linux is less likely to interfere with Windows. Be extremely careful during installation and verify the target disk, because selecting the wrong drive could erase your Windows installation. Back up anything important first.
For software compatibility, Discord generally works on Linux, but check the specific game before committing. ProtonDB is useful for seeing how games perform through Steam's compatibility layer, and it is worth checking microphone, voice-chat, controller, and anti-cheat reports specifically. A live USB can test basic hardware, but it is temporary and usually does not preserve changes. Installing to the old SSD is better for a multi-day trial.
Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, and gaming-focused options such as Bazzite can all be reasonable choices. Mint often feels familiar to Windows users, while Ubuntu has extensive documentation and broad hardware support. The best choice depends on your hardware and preferences, so trying one from the old SSD is a low-risk way to compare them before changing the main drive.
There may be a misunderstanding about what “partitioning” means. Any drive used by an operating system has partitions, but your boyfriend may mean shrinking the Windows partition to create space for a dual-boot Ubuntu installation. You do not need to do that. You can install Linux to the old SSD instead and select that drive at startup. If you later decide Linux is right for you, you can install it internally or replace Windows after making backups.
I think dual-booting is what he meant: keeping Windows and adding Ubuntu to another partition on the same SSD. I would rather avoid modifying Windows until I have tested everything.
That is what I was hoping to do. Keeping the new SSD unchanged makes me much more comfortable, and the installation process looks manageable.