I'm considering trying out Linux Mint Cinnamon alongside Windows 11 since I mainly use my laptop for casual browsing and note-taking. I've tested Linux Mint through a live USB and liked it, but I have a few concerns about the installation process. Specifically, I have a 237 GB SSD with about 132 GB free. Here are my questions: 1. Is it safe to dual boot on a single SSD? I've read that Windows updates might cause issues. 2. Am I at risk of losing data in either Windows or Linux? I'm not very tech-savvy, so I won't be making any changes that involve terminal commands. 3. The Mint website suggests a minimum of 100 GB for the Linux partition, but I was considering starting with 70 GB and resizing later if necessary. I've heard resizing can be problematic, so should I just allocate the full 100 GB from the start? Thanks for any help!
2 Answers
I've had a successful dual boot on a single SSD for almost a decade now. The UEFI setup with modern systems makes it more stable. Just make sure to back up your data first! Follow the installation prompts, and you should be fine. Data loss is rare, but it's good practice to backup regularly just in case. As for the partition size, I'd recommend going for 100 GB right off the bat. Resizing can be risky, so it's better to start with enough space.
Dual booting from a single SSD can be tricky, but I've been doing it for years without major issues. Sure, Windows does its own thing and sometimes messes with boot settings, but with a good guide, you can navigate that. A 70 GB partition is manageable if you don't plan on installing many programs. Just keep things light!
So, should I just ignore the hassle of GRUB and proceed with the dual booting? I’m new to all this!
Thanks for the advice! I think I'll go ahead with the 100 GB partition to be safe. Looking forward to diving into Linux!