Hey folks! I'm really into Python and Java, especially machine learning, and I've been diving into a lot of IT stuff like deploying web apps, which often rely on Linux. I'm kind of done with Windows and want to explore Linux deeper and customize it to fit my needs. However, I don't want to get rid of Windows entirely, so I'm planning to set up a dual boot. I was thinking of trying Void Linux, but I'm worried it might be too complicated for a beginner. Any advice on how to get started?
3 Answers
Before you start, can you let us know if you have a desktop or a laptop and what your system specs are? For some setups, you can add a second drive just for Linux, or you can partition your existing drive for dual booting. Also, back up your entire system just in case! You can check out some distros online or create a bootable USB drive to give them a test drive.
Don't overthink it! Just dive in and install a mainstream distribution first. You'll find plenty of help along the way, and trust me, it's a fun experience!
Make sure to install Windows first; otherwise, you might overwrite the bootloader. If you have a spare USB stick, consider loading some live distros on it to try them out. I used Ventoy to test various ones until I settled on Mint Cinnamon. Each distro has its own charm and quirks, so it’s worth exploring a few before committing!

I'm a bit worried about messing up my Windows files if I do that.