What to know before Dual Booting Windows + Linux?

Otter@lemmy.ca to Linux@lemmy.ml – 86 points –

I'm looking to finally use Linux properly and I'm planning to dual boot my laptop. There's enough storage to go around, and while I'm comfortable messing around I'd rather not have to run and buy a new device before school while fixing my current one.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VaIgbTOvAd0

This was the general guide I was planning to follow, just with KDE Plasma (or another KDE). I was going to keep windows the default, and boot into Linux as needed when I had time to learn and practice.

I assume it should be the near similar process for KDE Plasma?

I'm ok with things going wrong with the Linux install, but I'd like to keep the Windows install as safe as possible.

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Boot with a live USB image first. Check and see if everything is working. Don't be married to the first Linux distro you try.

That's fair, I'll take some time to explore them :)

On the other hand, try not to get into distro hopping hell

This is really the best advice. Dual boot via USB. Once something clicks, then look at dual booting.

USB boot is the second most fun way to learn Linux. Esp with high speed 40Gbs flash, there isn’t a ton of reason not to.

However backing up then trashing your windows environment will really teach one — it is a commitment!! But the learning will defn happen, there is no turning back after the windows partition gets scratched and GRUB enters the scene.

“Monitor scan line cfg don’t fail me now!”

“Interesting, mobo WiFi is MIA. Where did that 20’ Ethernet cable go?”

“Audio device not found. Okkkkkl”