Hey everyone, I have a bit of a question about installing a new operating system. I've been exploring various Linux distributions and finally settled on Arch Linux. I'm planning to do a clean install, but I've previously had other operating systems on my machine. Should I completely remove the old OSes, or will the installation process take care of that? Last time I tried this, I ended up with leftover partitions that I couldn't delete, and I want to avoid that this time. Any advice would be really appreciated!
4 Answers
When you start the installation, you can choose to re-partition or format your drive. Doing this will overwrite everything currently on it, giving you a clean install. Just a heads-up, if you're finding this question tricky, Arch might be a bit challenging for beginners. But hey, every Linux user starts somewhere! Good luck!
Absolutely, mastering the install process is a big part of using Arch. Just make sure you're comfortable with the steps before jumping in.
During the installation, you'll be asked where to install. If you select the entire disk or choose the 'something else' option, you can wipe existing partitions. Generating a new GPT partition table will clear out anything left from previous systems.
For a clean installation, you can opt for a full disk install, which will erase everything on the disk. You'll just have to deal with some old boot entries, but they'll not affect your system's performance.
Make sure to install over an Ethernet connection for a smooth experience, and remember to remove the installation media afterward! It helps avoid boot issues.
Totally agree! Arch is for those ready to dive deep. If you're unsure about the install process, consider trying something like Mint first.