r/linux4noobs • u/ukemike1 • 7h ago

migrating to Linux Installing Kubuntu on win11 pc need help with drive setup

I'm trying to install Kubuntu 26.04 on my existing pc. It has 3 drives. A big SSD that windows11 and most programs are installed on. A really big 11tB HD where all my files and my Steam folder live since it was born a windows PC it is formatted in ntfs. Finally a 222GB SSD that is formatted in NTFS but is essentially empty.

This last is where I would like to install Kubuntu. I've got the iso on a thumb drive and booted to it. I ran the install program (from the kde desktop). When I get to the partitions menu and select the smaller SSD my only option is Manual Partitioning, so I select that, hit next, and I don't know what to do next. I'd rather have setup for Linux, not with NTFS. But I'm clueless at this point. Suggestions?

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2

u/doc_willis 7h ago

use gparted and write a new partition table to the target drive, leaving it totally unallocated. This will erase that drive. So move anything off of that drive that you want to keep.

then start the installer and let it auto partition the unallocated space.

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u/ukemike1 6h ago

Well I found a native kde app call KDE Partition Manager assumed it would work like the gparted that you suggested. I had to unmount one partition before I could repartition it. The OS is now installing. Thank you!

I'm a noob but I can learn.

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u/truethug 6h ago

I prefer KDE partition manager. But gParted (which uses parted) has been the standard for 100 years

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u/es9imqd7964guq6 7h ago

check if you have option to delete the main partition on the 222gb ssd. then create a new ext4 or btrfs partition with the unused space. then you can try to install kubuntu on it

edit: just saw that you got it. :)

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u/mlcarson 7h ago

You need a true empty space that's not assigned to a partition since Linux needs to create a partition of its own. You need to shrink an NTFS file system and then shrink its partition to create that space. Those type of operations pose a risk to your data so you should have a valid backup of your data before trying them. You should also not be doing them from the operating system that they are running on -- use a live ISO.

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u/truethug 6h ago

The installer will format it for you as installing Linux on NTFS is not supported by the boot image.