Hey everyone! I'm in the process of transitioning away from Windows and looking to dual boot Linux (specifically Arch with KDE Plasma) alongside Windows 10 on my main PC. I plan to install Windows first, but I'm a bit confused about how to properly set up the drives. Here's my current setup:
- C: 500GB SSD for OS and programs
- D: 2TB HDD for storage and Windows folders/games
- E: 2TB SSD specifically for games
- F: 4TB HDD for external storage
I'd like to install both OS on the C: drive, but I want to keep D, E, and F accessible from both systems for files and gaming. However, I have a feeling that it won't be as straightforward as that. What are the best practices for this? Additionally, since I'm using NVIDIA GPU, will installing the proprietary drivers through archinstall be sufficient? I'm looking for any tips on partitioning as I'm still getting the hang of Linux installations. Thanks a bunch!
2 Answers
If Windows is already installed, you can shrink your C: drive to make room for Linux. Try to reduce it to about 250-300 GB for Windows, then use the unallocated space for Linux. As for the other drives, yes, Linux can read NTFS fine but it’s better to have Linux-specific installations for your games to ensure they run smoothly. Also, be sure you know how Linux names drives since it doesn't use letters like in Windows!
I'd recommend against mixing Windows and Linux on the same drive. It's much safer to create a separate partition for each OS. Windows and Linux can interfere with each other's bootloaders, and you might run into filesystem issues since Linux primarily uses EXT4, while Windows uses NTFS. If you must dual boot, definitely set aside some space on your C: drive for Linux after shrinking it. Also, for games, I suggest installing them on the Linux side to avoid instability when accessing NTFS drives directly.
Got it! So you're saying if I partition them, the chances of messing up would be lower, right? Thanks for clarifying!
Thanks! So if I plan to clean install Windows first and then partition, I should keep it separate afterward?