I'm looking to install Linux Mint on my Thinkpad, which currently runs Windows 10 on an SSD. I plan to create a partition on my 500GB HDD, but it has a lot of important data on it. I'm concerned about the potential risk of losing data during the installation. Is there any chance that my existing data could be erased even if I only install Linux on a separate partition? Also, what would be a recommended partition size for Linux given that my HDD has about 200GB of free space?
4 Answers
You might want to consider buying an additional 120GB SSD for your Linux install. They’re pretty affordable now, and it could make your setup easier and safer for your data.
Since I'm planning to switch completely to Linux because Windows 10 support has ended, I just want to familiarize myself with it first before making the leap.
Yes, there’s definitely a risk of erasing data when you resize a partition. Whenever you’re changing file systems or partitions, you run the risk of data loss or corruption if something goes wrong. Be very careful to select the correct partition during the installation process to minimize this risk!
Absolutely, you should be concerned about potential data loss. That's why backing up data is crucial. As for partition size, think about what you'll be using Linux for and how much space you might need. You can always adjust the partitions later on if needed, but just make sure you have a backup handy before you start the installation.

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