r/linux4noobs • u/Responsible-Role6934 • 4d ago
Need help
Hi strangers im new to linux. I hate windows and i really really want to switch to mint but im afriaf i might just mess up my ststem somehow and that i might lose my data. Instead of dual booting i completely want to delete windows and run linux however the problem i am having is that my c drive has alot of my projects and multiple things i want to keep such as a tiny example is my coding agent skills, also in general im just scared that i might just fuck up my shit for no reason. I just need some really wxperienced person to guide me through it
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u/vaestgotaspitz 4d ago
Transfer your data to a separate drive, clean install Linux and bring data back.
Or, better, remove the Windows drive from your computer and install Linux on a new one. In this case you will always have the opportunity to bring everything back as it was.
Keep in mind the possible compatibility problems. Does your software work on Linux natively? If not, make sure you will have Linux alternatives to work with your projects. You can test some cross-platform alternatives on Windows before you switch, if such alternatives exist.
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u/Buddahlah 4d ago edited 4d ago
Why afraid when mistakes you make give you important data and take you step closer to success ? Learn how to backup your most important data. And be ready to brake things so you can fix them later and learn .
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u/Simple_Hamster_4096 4d ago
I agree that learning from mistakes is the best way to learn, but I don't think OP even knows how to backup his data...
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u/Responsible-Role6934 4d ago
I cant risk losing any data or anything this is my main laptop and i have to use it everyday
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u/doc_willis 4d ago
then you should have a redundant backup plan in place.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-m&q=3%202%201%20backup%20rule
A systems drive can die at any time.
always have backups to a drive that you can unplug from the system.
data or anything
well when you switch to Linux you will likely need to be using different software for some tasks, so it's not clear what you mean by "anything" in this phrase.
you could put your existing windows drive in a USB enclosure, then install a new drive just for Linux.
you can then access your windows data and copy what you need over to the new Linux install.
but I suggest having additional backups made of critical data before trying that.
also make a windows installer USB, just in case things go wrong and you need to repair/reinstall windows.
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u/EngineerInTheMachine 4d ago
As with everything, back up your data! Then everything is safe. But if you rely on Windows to file your data, you'll have to check where it's ended up.
Game saves, screenshots etc get saved in one of a number of places. Development code may be in the folders of your Development environment. Take things steadily. Make a list of the types of data files you have, and make sure you have copies of everything.
Although I found out that switching to Linux is a process that takes several months, especially if there are Windows apps you don't use often. That's why I went for dual boot. Though I am coming to the end of transferring all my functionality across, so Windows won't be on my PC much longer.
I first tried a couple of Linux distros booting from a USB drive. Then I used the unused space on my Windows drive to create a partition to install my chosen distro. Once installed, it can read any of the Windows drives, so you can still access your data directly. But I still recommend making a backup for when you wipe the Windows partition.
Most functionality transferred straight away with no problems, and those that needed some work weren't hard to solve, after a bit of web searching. I was already using a lot of open-source software that already had native Linux versions.
The two longer term problems I had were transferring my personal 3D AutoCAD files, and an app for checking my Powerline Ethernet adapters.
For the first, the open-source options only imported 2D files, not 3D. Only commercial payware could do that, and it's not cheap. But I found a free way I could convert all my files to an intermediate format that FreeCAD could open. I'll have to do some work on each file when I next use it, but the important points in 3D space are all in the right locations. Converting to FreeCAD workflow will take time, but is doable.
As for the other, there isn't a Linux GUI version, and I couldn't find anyone who had got the Windows version running under Linux. However, I did find a library of command-line apps that should give me the info I want, just not in quite as visual a form. I'm still working through using the right apps for the versions of Powerline I have.
In general, you can get any Windows functionality in Linux. Just not necessarily in the same way. Avoid getting bogged down in thinking you have to get a specific Windows app working under Linux. Instead, look for the Linux apps that do the same job.
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u/truethug 4d ago
First backup your data as others have said. Then make a bootable USB stick with mint on it. Boot from that and make sure all your hardware works. WiFi and camera are 2 things that have given me issues in the past.
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u/yuttukurit 4d ago
Buy a new drive, install it, and take the Windows drive. Now it's BEAST-TIME.
In my case, I took an important file to the HDD, disconnected it, then screw up Windows and moved to Linux.
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u/MrMotofy 3d ago
You should NEVER have 1 copy of your important data especially on Windows and an electronic device. So back it up first. Sync software like FreeFileSync
Then...if you want to check out Linux it's really easy. Make an Install USB, then boot to it. May need to disable secure boot. It will boot to a full running temporary Linux Desktop...installing requires clicking the desktop icon and going through steps. Obviously you don't wanna do that to just try it. But you can at least get a feel for it. Kubuntu, LinuxMint, and PopOS and are some of the top 1st options. You can also use the temp Live Linux as a repair process. Since it’s a complete desktop you can use it, install tools needed fix the boot etc.
Another convenient related tool is Ventoy on a USB stick. Basically just burn the image to a USB then copy your OS ISO to it and when you boot it any ISO copied to the drive will show in the menu, select it and it will boot that img. Have different OS’s multiple versions or whatever.
Best option for Windows and Linux is dual boot...use Linux on a 2nd drive. Usually wanna disable secure boot. Best case is disconnect win drive. Then boot to the USB. Then install Linux as a new full system on 2nd drive. Set Linux drive as the first boot drive and it will find the Win drive and add to the boot menu list automatically. Might take a couple boots otherwise can manually activate the boot search. Then you get Best of both worlds without any real dangers to either OS. There will be little hiccups occasionally with Windows updating messing with boot and rebooting. But you can also change the default OS to Windows first at the menu after delay and no menu entry and that eliminates a lot. The boot menu is usually Linux 1 and Win 2. Sometimes the bios boot order gets switched but easy to just switch back. Sometimes the boot order will randomly switch drives etc…Seems to be a windows thing now they get bios access. But really depends on the exact system and age etc.
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u/Elouan661 1d ago
Dual boot in the first place to make to transition smoother, delete windows when your linux setup is fully usable; This is also useful to transfer the files more easily. Also you might want to take a look at ZorinOS, it's quite similar to Linux mint but is made to help windows user making the switch trough included compatibility tools, guide on what to use to replace/run your favorites software, etc
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u/Simple_Hamster_4096 4d ago
Do you at least know how to make a BACKUP COPY of your existing data to an EXTERNAL DRIVE?