I want to replace the operating system on my SSD with Linux and leave the files on my separate HDD alone. Can I install Linux without formatting the HDD, and what should I watch out for?
Can I install Linux on my SSD and keep the files on my HDD?
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27Grommet
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Yes, Linux can use the SSD for the system while the HDD remains a separate data drive. The safest way to avoid selecting the wrong disk during installation is to shut down and disconnect the HDD first. Install Linux to the SSD, then reconnect the HDD after the installation is complete.
Still make a backup of anything you cannot replace before changing disks or installing an operating system. Once the HDD is connected again, do not accept any prompt to format it. Check that its existing partitions and files are visible before making changes.
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You can leave both drives installed, but be very deliberate in the installer. Identify the SSD by its capacity and device details, and use only that disk for the Linux installation. If you are unsure which entry is which, stop and verify before applying the changes.
Disconnecting the HDD is simpler and removes much of that guesswork. Either way, an installer choice or a mistaken format operation can erase data, so a separate backup is the sensible precaution.
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For a first Linux install, Ubuntu is a reasonable starting point if you want lots of beginner documentation and a familiar desktop. If learning the command line is the main goal, you can do that on many distributions. The choice of distro does not require putting your data drive at risk.
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27Grommet:
If the HDD is connected again afterward, should Linux be able to read the existing files without formatting?
bracketed-ink:
Usually, yes, provided the drive uses a filesystem Linux can read and the disk is healthy. If it is encrypted, you may need to unlock it first. A format prompt is a reason to stop and check the disk rather than proceed.