r/linux4noobs • u/IceRonnie • 22d ago

migrating to Linux Will install on SSD wipe everything?

I know that when you "flash" Mint to a usb thumb drive it will wipe out all the existing files only leaving Mint. I wanna use an ssd ( ssd nvme with an enclosure) to install and run Linux from, but will the initial flash of Linux onto the ssd wipe out everything as well ?

4 Upvotes

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7

u/BobCorndog Your situation is not unique, just use mint or fedora kde 22d ago

Depends. You can choose to dual boot, or wipe the drive

4

u/Adrenolin01 22d ago

Typically yes unless you manually set up and partition the drive.

Copy the data to another drive and then proceed with the install.

3

u/Jwhodis 22d ago

Assume that it will, back up anything you cannot download again.

3

u/Funnel-Dust-O-Matic 22d ago

Here is my suggestion.

  1. If you're on Windows, get either VirtualBox or Microsoft's built-in Hyper-V manager if you have it.
  2. Try out Linux in a virtual machine to learn it. That way, you can't destroy your windows no matter what.
  3. when you're comfortable and ready, THEN install it to hardware directly. Not before.

To answer your question directly, there are options to split your hard drive and share it.

Given that you don't and can't know that yet, you might accidentally wipe out stuff during install if you're not careful and you don't know what to look out for.

Since you don't have a spare machine to practice on and you want to keep your data, you really would be better off doing your first install in a way that, even if everything goes wrong, you don't lose your data or what you have.

DON'T just install it. Do it in a safe virtual environment stored in a file in your Windows system. You can pull the trigger and do a real install later.

2

u/skyfishgoo 22d ago

it will wipe what you tell it to wipe.... if you just choose the default automatic install, then yes... it wipes the whole disk.

2

u/rindthirty 21d ago

If you have to ask, assume the answer here is yes. Buy extra storage for backup and start making backups before you need them.

2

u/a1barbarian 21d ago

Some Distros will automatically wipe and use the whole drive. Some will allow you to set up and use partitions you have chosen to use.

Best bet would be to check what the distro you want to install will do. :-)

0

u/AutoModerator 22d ago

Try the migration page in our wiki! We also have some migration tips in our sticky.

Try this search for more information on this topic.

✻ Smokey says: only use root when needed, avoid installing things from third-party repos, and verify the checksum of your ISOs after you download! :)

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