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Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive?

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On 2026-05-10 10:48, Oguz Kaan Ocal wrote:
> I've wanted to switch to Linux for years but one thing keeps stopping 
> me: all my stuff is still on Windows.
> 
> Not just documents and photos. I mean everything. Old projects, music 
> collections, browser profiles, saved passwords, software archives, 
> random folders from 10+ years ago, game saves, old chats, drivers, 
> forgotten utilities, etc. My current Windows drive basically feels like 
> a digital attic.
> 
> Part of me wants to do a clean break and force myself to fully adapt to 
> Linux.
> 
> Another part of me thinks that would be stupid and I'd eventually need 
> something from the old system again.
> 
> So lately I've been considering installing Linux on a completely 
> separate SSD and just keeping the Windows drive disconnected and 
> untouched instead of wiping it.
> 
> Did anyone else here transition this way?
> 
> Was keeping the old drive useful in the long run, or did it just slow 
> down the transition because Windows was always there as a fallback?

Keep it, of course. Install on a new disk.


> I'm also curious about the non-technical side of this. I've used Windows 
> for most of my life, so changing operating systems feels oddly bigger 
> than just installing another OS.
> 
> Any regrets, advice, or things you wish you had backed up before switching?
> 
> Also interested in hearing whether people still dual boot in 2026 or if 
> most have moved to VMs / secondary machines / old preserved drives instead.
> 
> Thanks.

When I transitioned to Linux there were no virtual machines, so I double 
booted. Now you have the choice.

It is a slow process.

-- 
Cheers, Carlos.
ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;

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Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? Oguz Kaan Ocal <oguzkaanocal3169@hotmail.com> - 2026-05-10 11:48 +0300
  Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? Borax Man <boraxman@geidiprime.invalid> - 2026-05-10 12:25 +0000
  Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-05-10 19:29 +0200
  Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-05-10 17:40 +0000
    Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2026-05-10 17:08 -0700
      Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-05-12 19:55 +0000
        Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2026-05-12 15:44 -0700
          Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-05-12 23:42 +0000
            [OT] Booting Windows system partition on a VM (was: Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive?) Nuno Silva <nunojsilva@invalid.invalid> - 2026-05-13 09:48 +0100
              Re: [OT] Booting Windows system partition on a VM (was: Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive?) Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-05-13 19:47 +0000
          Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-05-13 04:38 +0000
    Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? Chris Ahlstrom <OFeem1987@teleworm.us> - 2026-05-11 07:07 -0400
    Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-05-11 12:52 +0100
      Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-05-12 19:55 +0000
        Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-05-13 09:49 +0100
  Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-05-10 18:21 +0000
  Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-05-10 20:08 +0000
    Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? Borax Man <boraxman@geidiprime.invalid> - 2026-05-11 14:02 +0000
  Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? jayjwa <jayjwa@atr2.ath.cx.invalid> - 2026-05-10 20:14 -0400
  Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? Steve Hayes <hayesstw@telkomsa.net> - 2026-05-11 04:34 +0200
    Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-05-11 03:29 +0000
      Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-05-11 01:08 -0400
      Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-05-11 11:14 +0200
        Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-05-11 12:37 -0400
      Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? Steve Hayes <hayesstw@telkomsa.net> - 2026-05-12 07:26 +0200
        Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-05-12 01:32 -0400
  Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows drive? The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-05-11 12:32 +0100
  Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows Jack Strangio  <jackstrangio@yahoo.com> - 2026-05-14 04:20 +0000
    Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-05-14 10:24 +0100
    Re: Thinking about moving to Linux permanently, should I keep my Windows rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-05-14 17:17 +0000

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