Hey everyone! I'm looking to set up Linux alongside my existing Windows installation as my main operating system. I've created a second partition on my main drive, but the installation process hit a snag. Do I need to get another hard drive for Linux installation? If that's the case, how much storage do you recommend? I'm planning to use Fedora 42 and Nobara, and I've had experience with them on my laptop and friends' PCs. Thanks in advance!
5 Answers
Honestly, I’d recommend getting an extra hard drive. Dual booting on one disk can lead to headaches if something goes wrong, and if you regret it, you might end up reinstalling Windows. If a new hard drive isn’t an option, consider using a USB stick to install Linux. It runs pretty well from there!
While it's true some might not have the option for extra drives, dual booting can work fine on the same drive. Just watch out for those NTFS resizing issues! It's often better to keep the OS on SSDs instead of magnetic drives.
Going with an M.2 drive is a solid choice! Regarding files on an NTFS drive from your Windows days, you should be able to access them in Linux, but NTFS can sometimes be tricky. Just be prepared for some troubleshooting if needed!
NTFS can be finicky, but most issues are solvable. Just keep that in mind!
You can definitely install them on the same partition, just ensure you have enough space and that your EFI partition is large enough. However, many folks prefer using two drives since it's less likely you'll encounter issues with your bootloader during Windows updates.
I think giving Linux its own drive is the safest route. It minimizes the risk of messing things up while managing both OSs, especially during updates.
It's usually best to resize your Windows partition before you try to install your Linux distribution. Be careful though! Look for tutorials on dual booting with your specific distro to avoid any mishaps. Good luck!
Got it! I'm planning on getting a 1TB M.2 drive since my motherboard has a free slot. Swapping out a failed HDD seems easier, too. Thanks for the quick response!