I have a Plex server running Ubuntu, Ubuntu on a MacBook, and I'm considering installing Zorin OS properly on my desktop after trying several live environments. The desktop is mainly used for gaming and media, but I'd also like to use Linux for creative projects.
The PC currently has three drives: a roughly 250GB SSD containing Windows 10, a 2TB hard drive, and a 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD used mostly for Steam and game storage. The NVMe drive has about 190GB free, although I could remove a large game if necessary. I could also store files on the hard drive.
I'm nervous because a previous Linux installation on my MacBook accidentally erased the drive before succeeding on the second attempt. This desktop contains data I care about, so I want to avoid losing anything. Would it be safer to buy an inexpensive SSD and install Zorin on that, or should I partition the existing NVMe drive? If partitioning is reasonable, how much space should I allocate for the operating system? I've also heard that using an existing Windows Steam library from Linux may not be reliable.
2 Answers
Linux can read and write NTFS, but using a Windows game-library partition as Linux’s main system space is not ideal. A Linux filesystem such as ext4 is a better choice for the OS. Steam games can sometimes be shared between Windows and Linux, but compatibility varies by game, Proton version, launcher, and filesystem permissions, so keeping the library separate avoids unnecessary complications.
If the 190GB on the NVMe drive is genuinely free, you can shrink its existing partition from a live Linux environment and install Zorin into the newly unallocated space. However, buying a cheap, known-good SSD is a reasonable choice if the data on the current drives is valuable and you want a clean, isolated installation. Avoid relying on an untested second-hand drive without checking its health first.
The safest approach is to make a proper backup first, then physically disconnect the drives containing Windows and your important data while installing Linux. Leave only the new or intended target drive connected. That makes it much harder to select the wrong disk in the installer. Once installation is complete, reconnect the other drives and configure the boot order.
A separate SSD is convenient and reduces the risk of an installer mistake, but it isn’t strictly required. If you partition the NVMe drive, make sure you have a current backup and verify the disk name and size carefully before applying changes. Around 50–100GB is plenty for a normal desktop Linux installation, though giving it 100–150GB leaves room for applications, updates, and personal files.
Disconnecting the other drives during installation is probably the most reassuring option here. It protects against choosing the wrong disk, but it does not replace a backup of anything important.