I'm thinking about adding Ubuntu to my Windows PC but I'm a bit hesitant because I've heard scary stories about Windows updates potentially causing problems, like data loss and even bricking the machine. I have two drives in my PC: one for Windows and my important files, and a second one with some games that I can easily reinstall. If I create a partition on the second drive and install Ubuntu there, will that help reduce the risks I've heard about?
6 Answers
It doesn't guarantee safety, but it can help. The main issue is that Windows updates can disrupt the Linux boot loader if they're on the same drive. So, be cautious with putting both operating systems on the same drive.
Setting Ubuntu up on a separate drive can definitely help if done right. Ideally, keep the bootloader on the Linux drive instead of the Windows one to avoid complications.
There's not really a risk of data loss if you’re careful. Installing Ubuntu on a second drive doesn't change that much; just be careful not to accidentally mess with the Windows partition.
Nah, it won't really change the risks involved.
I've done a dual boot setup with Windows 11 and a Linux distribution on a single drive without any data loss experiences. Occasionally, Windows updates might mess with the boot loader, but it's usually easy to fix. Personally, I like having my Windows, Linux, and a data drive on separate drives for convenience, so I don't have to deal with partitioning issues as I switch between distros.
One of the main concerns is that Windows might overwrite the default boot loader, which can be easily fixed in most cases. Just keep that in mind when setting up your dual boot.
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