Hey everyone! I just got a 512GB SSD and want to dive into Linux Mint as my primary OS to see what all the fuss is about. My setup is an old Dell Optiplex 7020 SFF, and I've flashed the Linux Mint image to a USB stick with Balena Etcher. However, my USB isn't showing up in the UEFI Boot menu, which I've learned is often fixed by disabling Secure Boot.
Here are my questions:
1. Should I disconnect my Windows 10 drive before installing Linux Mint on the SSD? Will it simplify the process?
2. After disabling Secure Boot and possibly Fast Boot in the BIOS, should I leave them off after installation? I'm a bit uneasy about the security implications of having Secure Boot disabled.
3. Once Linux Mint is installed, should I boot into Linux before reconnecting my Windows drive? I expect that's when I can set the boot order for my OSs in BIOS.
Just a little anxious about this transition, but I'm excited to start this journey! Appreciate any tips or guidance you can offer. Thanks!
4 Answers
You're definitely on the right track. Disabling Fast Boot is essential, and you might opt to turn off Secure Boot too. There's some debate about its actual security benefits, so it's ultimately your call! Also, be sure your SATA mode is set to AHCI to avoid problems with Windows.
Since you’re working with two drives, disconnecting the Windows drive during installation has its perks. Installing Linux with the Windows drive plugged in means Linux might default to using the Windows EFI partition. But if you disconnect it, you'll have a clean install with its own setup. You can later use `os-prober` to detect Windows when you're ready to reconnect it!
Oh, and don’t forget to disable Fast Startup in Windows settings too! That can cause issues with dual booting later.
1. Yeah, disconnecting the Windows drive before the installation is a smart move! It removes the risk of messing up your Windows system and can help keep things tidy during the Linux install.
2. I usually keep Secure Boot and Fast Boot disabled. I haven’t run into any issues this way, but definitely do what feels right for you. Many distros require Secure Boot to be off for a smooth install.
1. Honestly, you can install Linux Mint with the Windows drive connected. It's designed to let you select the drives during the install. But if you're feeling anxious about it, unplugging the Windows drive won’t hurt.
2. Personally, I keep Secure Boot off too. This way, you avoid any risk of bricking your install, which is always a concern. Most distros, like you mentioned, work better this way anyway.
3. Correct! After installation, you should definitely boot into Linux first. It’ll install the GRUB menu that helps you access both OSs anytime. I’d recommend prioritizing Linux in the boot order for easier access.
No, it matters! There’s a known bug that puts GRUB in the first EFI partition found. If Windows is connected, it might take over that partition instead. That's why it’s safer to disconnect the Windows drive.