I just got a new laptop with a 500GB SSD that has Windows installed, and I've added a second 1TB SSD that I want to dedicate solely to Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS. My goal is to set up a dual boot system using these separate disks. During the installation process, when I hit the "How do you want to install Ubuntu?" page, I see three options:
1. Install Ubuntu alongside Windows Boot Manager
2. Erase disk and install Ubuntu
3. Manual installation
I'm a bit confused about which option to select. The first option looks like it lets me pick my 1TB SSD and use all the space for Ubuntu, but I worry it might mess with Windows. The second option also allows me to choose the 1TB SSD, but what if I don't want to erase everything? The third one would require me to create a partition tree myself, which I'm not very experienced with—I'd prefer something a bit more automated. Any advice on the best route to take?
2 Answers
If you're serious about keeping your Windows installation intact, it might be a good idea to actually disconnect the Windows drive while you install Ubuntu. Then you can safely use the "Erase disk and install Ubuntu" option on the 1TB SSD. This way, you keep the boot partitions for both systems independent, which can help avoid any booting issues down the road. Once you have Ubuntu set up, you can reconnect the Windows drive and update GRUB for dual booting.
Check out the migration page in the Linux wiki. It has some useful migration tips if you're transitioning from Windows to Linux. Also, when you install Ubuntu, it’s often better to stick with the basics and avoid using third-party repos unless you really need something. And yeah, once you're booted into Ubuntu, be sure to verify the checksums of your ISO after download—it's a good practice!
That sounds smart! But wouldn’t just using the erase option without disconnecting work too?