I'm currently running Windows on my boot disk, and I've set aside a partition for Linux. I want to know how to switch to Linux without losing my data. Ideally, I'd love to convert my existing Windows installation into a virtual machine instead of doing a complete reinstall. I have a total of 3.5TB of data spread across multiple drives: 2TB on an NVME SSD, 1TB on an HDD, and over 500GB on my boot drive (also NVME SSD). The boot drive is 1TB, but due to its current usage, I've only managed to allocate around 274GB for new partitions. Is that enough space for Linux? And what steps should I take to ensure a smooth migration? Please keep in mind that English isn't my first language, so I appreciate any kindness in the responses!
2 Answers
You should have more than enough space for your Linux installation with 274GB! Just make sure to do a manual partition during the setup. Also, since your drives aren't encrypted, you shouldn't run into issues accessing your data from Linux. Check out the Linux Mint and Ubuntu installation documentation for step-by-step guides. Good luck!
You might want to visit the migration page in the Linux wiki for guidance on switching from Windows to Linux. There are also some helpful tips in the sticky posts. Just remember to be cautious with root access when using Linux and always verify your ISO downloads. It's a great way to start your Linux journey!
Thanks for the advice! I'll make sure to check those docs before starting.