Hey everyone! I'm looking to set up a dual boot with Linux and Windows on my PC. I have a 512GB SSD and a 750GB HDD, but I can't just install one OS on the SSD and the other on the HDD because it would slow things down for one of the systems. My plan is to create a shared drive on the HDD and partition the SSD into two sections—one for Linux and one for Windows. I mostly play lighter games, so I'm wondering if using the HDD for games will be an issue. I'd really appreciate any advice on whether this setup sounds good or if you have any tips for a beginner like me. I've also heard that Windows prefers to occupy the second partition—any thoughts on that? Thanks!
4 Answers
The tricky part can be reducing an existing Windows partition without losing data, which involves shrinking the file system first. You could also create a separate EFI partition for Linux on the HDD instead of mixing it with Windows. Just a heads-up: Windows can sometimes mess with Linux boot settings.
For your setup, I have dual NVMe drives in my main PC that run Windows 11 and Ubuntu Studio without issues. I split one NVMe 60/40 for both systems. The second NVMe is NTFS, which allows both OSs to access it for shared storage.
Make sure you install Windows first, then Linux. This can help you use tools like Grub Customizer for managing your boot options later. It's a crucial step that can save some hassle down the road.
I'd recommend just getting a cheap 120GB SSD for Linux. Using an HDD can be pretty sluggish in comparison. Keeping each Operating System on its own drive usually makes for a smoother experience. This way, you'll be able to boot each one independently without any headaches.
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