I'm planning to install Linux on one of my SSDs and format it, but I need to know if the second SSD will also be affected during this process. I want to keep my data on the other SSD intact. What's the best approach here? Should I disconnect the drive with important files just to be safe?
4 Answers
In theory, the installer should only touch the drive you choose to format, but it's always wise to back up your important data just in case. Keeping a backup on a separate drive that isn't connected is a safe bet.
Yes, formatting one SSD should not impact the other. But to avoid any risk of messing things up, disconnect the SSD you want to keep. Also, since you have two bootable drives, you might need to adjust BIOS settings or use a boot selector key.
If BitLocker is on for your Windows SSD, you may run into problems. It can encrypt any drive it has access to, so make sure to disable it before installing Linux to avoid any issues accessing your files later on.
The installer will only modify the partitions you specify, so if you're careful, your data on the second SSD should remain unharmed. However, it's a good idea to unplug the drive with important files just to be on the safe side.
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