What should I back up before switching from Windows to Linux permanently?

For long-term backups, keep more than one copy, ideally with one disconnected or stored somewhere else. A local backup plus a NAS or cloud copy protects against drive failure, while an offline or off-site copy helps with theft, damage, or disasters. Organizing everything into consistent folders such as Documents, Pictures, and Mail also makes it much easier to access your data regardless of which operating system you use.

Make two kinds of backups: a complete disk image for recovery, and a separate file backup for everyday access. A tool such as Clonezilla can create an image of the entire Windows drive, while an external drive can hold your Documents, Desktop, Downloads, photos, videos, music, and anything else you actually need. After verifying the files open from the backup, you’ll have both a safety net and a clean source for restoring your data.

Go through your user folders carefully, including any folders you moved elsewhere. Don’t forget browser bookmarks, profiles, passwords, email archives, password-manager data, game saves, application settings, and files hidden in AppData or other program directories. Making a checklist and waiting a day or two before wiping the drive can help you remember things you use less often.

I copied my important files to an external drive, installed Linux on a new SSD, and kept the old Windows drive untouched for a while. That’s a less stressful approach than immediately erasing everything. You can later reuse or wipe the old drive once you’ve confirmed that your documents, hardware, applications, and any Windows-only software are all accounted for.

Most ordinary files transfer easily, but Windows applications themselves generally won’t. Make a list of the programs you rely on and check whether there’s a Linux version, a suitable replacement, or a need to keep Windows in a virtual machine. Some people prefer testing Linux alongside Windows first, but if you’re committed to wiping the drive, a full image and a verified external data backup are the important safeguards.