I'm planning to switch to Linux before Windows 10 stops receiving support, and I've come across tutorials suggesting I should split my hard drive to keep my files safe. However, I already have two hard drives: my SSD has Windows installed, and my important files are on a separate HDD. Can I still install Linux on the SSD while preserving everything on the HDD?
4 Answers
You can totally install Linux on your SSD while keeping your important files on your HDD safe. Since you're using Windows, both drives will likely be formatted as NTFS, and Linux can read those files. To avoid any mishaps, a good idea is to unplug your HDD during the installation—this way, you won't accidentally wipe anything important.
Before you proceed, double-check that all the files you want to keep are on your HDD. After that, you can install your chosen Linux distro on the Windows SSD. Your HDD will remain intact with your files. Just remember that if you're concerned about things like your Steam save files, it's good to look into how they work on Linux.
I strongly recommend making a backup of your important files on a drive that you can physically disconnect from your system. I've seen people accidentally delete their backups while installing Linux, and it’s not pretty. So yes, it's fine to have everything on the second drive, but just be careful!
It's great that you're switching to Linux! Just so you know, Windows 10 does have extended security updates available for free. But if you really want to go with Linux, make sure to back up your Windows drive first. It's usually best for first-timers to install Linux on a separate drive to avoid mistakes. Stick to the default settings during the install, and try a user-friendly distro like Mint or Ubuntu!
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