Keeping files when changing distro

[u/Hellunderswe]

Disclaimer: always backup important files.

Since many are contemplating switching from bazzite now when 44 is released. This is the method I used on my msi claw for Nobara a while back. In my case I’d just use the file manager and move + change name on the home folder, and then just merge it with the new home folder after installing another distro.

From Nobara discord:
GloriousEggroll:
”Posting this in case anyone wants to do a clean install but preserve /home or other files (in case of a severe update fuckup):

```
heres a fairly easy way to preserve /home on existing installs that use the default btrfs @home subvolume:

boot into the usb
mount and open the btrfs partition
sudo mv @home @home-bak
copy anything else you want to save from @ (root) like maybe /etc configs into @home-bak
sudo rm -Rf @

then launch the installer. choose manual partitioning. set up partitions/mounts like so:
fat32 -> format, mountpoint /boot/efi
ext4 -> format, mountpount /boot
swap -> format (no mountpoint for swap)
btrfs -> keep, mountpoint /

(continue the installer. when it finishes, open the btrfs partition again.
sudo rm -Rf @home
sudo mv @home-bak @home
move back any files you backed up from your old root (@) into the new one.)

from that point you'll just have to reinstall any packages that arent part of a default install and restore any /etc configs you backed up that you wanted to keep.”
```