Hey everyone! I'm planning to switch to Linux soon and would like to set up a dual boot with Windows on a new SSD. Something I've been wondering about is my existing HDDs. If I have files downloaded on Windows stored there, will I still be able to access them once I start using Linux? Any tips or considerations I should be aware of for managing those files?
4 Answers
Your Windows drive should be safe when installing Linux on a separate drive. Modern Linux can read and write to NTFS, so you'll have access to your Windows files as long as both drives are connected. Going for a separate drive for Linux is definitely a wise choice to keep things straightforward!
Accessing your Windows files from Linux is straightforward, but I highly recommend disabling secure boot and fast boot in your BIOS to avoid potential issues. And make regular backups as you explore your new setup! Good luck with the transition!
Check your partition tables—if you need more space for Linux, you might have to shrink your Windows partition. Also, it's a good idea to set up an exFAT partition for easy sharing between the two OSs in the long run. Just remember to back up important files before making any changes. Safety first!
To share files easily between Windows and Linux, consider formatting the partitions in exFAT. Just a heads up: make sure to disable hibernation in Windows and properly shut down before accessing the drive in Linux. That way, everything should work smoothly without any file losses.
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