I'm seriously considering switching from Microsoft OneDrive to Linux once my subscription ends. A friend suggested making the jump, but I have a massive amount of data—10TB worth! I've heard that using NTFS long-term on Linux isn't a good idea. I'd hate to reformat everything because not only would I risk losing data, but it would also be a ton of work. Plus, I have a bunch of games on Epic Games, and last time I tried it on another Linux setup, the cloud sync didn't work well at all. Transferring save data is also tricky, especially since games containerize their files with Proton. I want to know if it's really worth the hassle to switch with all this data at stake. I'm also running a Jellyfin server for streaming, so syncing data between Windows and Linux would be another challenge. All in all, I'm just worried about whether I'll like Linux or end up choosing the wrong distro. Linux seems a bit less user-friendly than Windows, and I know I'll have to use the terminal at times. What are your thoughts?
4 Answers
Making the leap to Linux can be a bit daunting, especially with 10TB of data, but it's definitely doable. What you can do is keep your data drives formatted as NTFS for now; Linux has pretty solid support for it. Just avoid putting your Linux home folder or any critical files on NTFS long-term. Ideally, install Linux on a separate partition with a recommended file system like ext4, and use dual-boot to keep your comfort level high. Also, you shouldn't worry about syncing Jellyfin—just decide which OS will run your server and keep your media accessible from both. Take it slow! No need for a complete overhaul on day one. Multiple systems let you keep experimenting while minimizing risk.
Yeah, dual-booting is a great safety net. You'll gain confidence after trying out Linux!
Switching to Linux can totally handle your data volume without issues. Just keep your saves and game libraries on NTFS for now since Linux can access it easily. However, using NTFS for high-performance apps like Steam is not the best idea. Setting your workspace up in a NAS could also centralize your data beautifully, letting you choose any OS for your workstations without worrying about file systems. Plus, you'd be moving towards a self-hosted solution which is cool!
That sounds like a solid plan! I’m definitely leaning towards a NAS if I transition.
Yeah, self-hosting truly feels empowering compared to just relying on others!
There are plenty of user-friendly distros out there! I suggest checking out different desktop environments first; I really like KDE Plasma because it's sleek and familiar if you've used it before. For your data management, if possible, consider a NAS setup. It helps keep everything manageable over your network, almost like having your own cloud! Gradually porting data one drive at a time could work, but I see how that can get tedious.
KDE Plasma is awesome! I love how customizable it is.
Agreed! A test run on a secondary system might save you some headaches.
Honestly, you’ve pretty much laid out your concerns and addressed them yourself. It’s just an operating system, at the end of the day. If you're not ready to reformat 10TB, then sticking with Windows makes sense. But if you’re really looking to switch, take those steps one at a time. There’s a learning curve, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming!
True! Sometimes a gradual approach works best.
Definitely! I appreciate the input, I’ll take it one step at a time.
That makes a lot of sense! Starting slow seems like the safest way to transition.