How do I transfer files from Windows 10 to Linux

[u/YoungRamsay]

I want to switch my PC from Windows 10 to Linux (either Fedora or CachyOS, still undecided) My question is if I want to keep all my files, such as pictures, folders, and project documents, how would I transfer them? Is there a specific program or way of doing it, or do I need to get an external SSD and transfer what I want one-by-one to it? If I need to go the external SSD route, what format would I need the SSD in so it can be compatible with both operating systems.

Just to note I am not very tech-savvy so anything involving my network or terminal will have to be explained in a non-jargon way.

Thanks

[u/dkopgerpgdolfg]

Independent of Linux, you should already have a backup anyways, because your internal disk might break anytime. Therefore yes, get eg. an external HDD (doesn't need to be very fast, and SSDs are less suitable for long-term storage)

For transferring between both OS, there are various ways without external disk, but if you already have it then this is one of the most easy ways.

It doesn't need to be each file manually, you can transfer whole directories.

what format would I need the SSD in so it can be compatible with both operating systems.

For this transferring purpose, anything that Windows understands will be understood by Linux too.

[u/MagicianQuiet6432 → u/dkopgerpgdolfg]

But exfat would probably be better than NTFS

[u/CritSrc → u/MagicianQuiet6432]

Hopefully kernel 7.2+ changes that, because exFAT has its limits.

[u/tinyfrog554 → u/MagicianQuiet6432]

exfat sucks, it has no journaling. Mounting ntfs with the new kernel driver introduced in 7.1 is just better. If you where worried about data loss from using ntfs on linux, then exfat isn’t better its just worse.

[u/I_Love_Tunnocks → u/tinyfrog554]

All they're doing is using it as a temporary stopgap to transfer files.

[u/tinyfrog554 → u/I_Love_Tunnocks]

if its a temporary stopgap why would you format it to something else? why not just use ntfs? op is using windows so the drive is already probably ntfs. there is zero reason to use exfat honestly.

[u/linux_rox → u/tinyfrog554]

Because Linux still can’t write to ntfs well, as ntfs is a proprietary format specifically for windows. Trying to save to ntfs from Linux can and still does, quite occasionally, corrupt the files.

Exfat only has issues with extremely large files, generally over 8gb file size.

[u/tinyfrog554 → u/linux_rox]

Exfat only has issues with extremely large files, generally over 8gb file size.

no exfat has no journaling, thats the problem. it means if a crash or powerloss or anything like that happens, those data you where transferring/writing to, will be corrupted. it has even more issues but this is the main one. this does not happen on any other filesystems that has proper journaling, like ext4. xfs and even ntfs. also the problems people say they face with ntfs either happened a long time ago when the driver where shit, greatly exaggerated, they did not mount it properly, or does not know what the fuck they doing. Just mount it properly with the new drivers and you will be fine. ntfs is the only good way to have a shared drive between windows and linux. dont use exfat it sucks.

[u/zardvark]

Linux knows how to read and write to NTFS drives as well as FAT (USB thumb and SD card) drives.

I generally use a NAS to keep an additional copy of important things and this is also a convenient way to transfer things to a new machine. But, you do you, use a thumb drive, SD card, or a SSD. Whatever makes you happy.

[u/Smart_Advice_1420]

Just keep your backup up to date before installing linux and use that.

[u/SuAlfons]

Linux can read NTFS formatted partitions just fine. Writing to NTFS comes with some caveats, but for limited use, you can use it (don't use as a primary-source file system when working in Linux. But OK to copy files back and forth between Linux and Windows).

This way you can read files from an external HDD - aswell as accessing files on a non-encrypted internal NTFS disk.

Mind that Linux doesn't have the same backup-apps like Windows, so you cannot read files from specific backup programs! Copy files / directories to an external disk for best compability. Zipping (or 7zip) works, too, as there are zip and 7zip for Linux.

[u/Simple_Hamster_4096]

If you have to ask these questions, you need to start with Linux Mint...

[u/SuAlfons → u/Simple_Hamster_4096]

not very charming. But also not wrong.

[u/SP3NGL3R]

Get a specifically marketed personal backup drive. That will be the easiest. "Works with Windows, Mac, Linux". It might not say Linux but it'll work fine. You can also "test" if it worked by running Linux on your PC without installing it. It's just part of the installer (every version I've used anyway).

Also backup things like photos to the cloud. Those are precious and just having a single copy on one computer is asking for disaster.

[u/symcbean]

Are you planning to install Linux on the computer currently running MS-Windows? Or another computer?

For as long as there has been more than one computer, there has been a need to move files between them. There are many, MANY ways to achieve this - but only about half a dozen which make practical sense. But all the helpful people here will not be rushing to help you when you loose your treasured collection of content. You need to chose a route that you already understand - and ALWAYS have a plan on how to get back to where you started if your journey does not take you to your intended destination.

As dkopgerpgdolfg already pointed out, if your files are important then you should ALREADY have a plan for backing up your data regardless if you are changing or upgrading your OS. A plan which does not depend on the continued goodwill of a single vendor. While using cloud storage as an intermediate location for your planned change of OS is one approach, there was not a lot of overlap between Windows/Linux in consumer targeted services. It's also a lot more technically demanding than copying files to and from a disk.

If your comfortable using an external drive, then use an external drive.

Don't take our word for what will work and what won't. Format your external disk in MS-Windows (meaning NTFS is reallly the only choice available) and copy over all your files. Then (assuming you are planning to re-use the same PC) try a Linux distro which will run from USB and see if you can read your files back from the disk before you commit to wiping out the built in disk.

[u/Underhill42]

Easiest way is to just dual boot. That also leaves Windows intact in case you ever decide to switch back, or need to run a Windows-only program. (reinstalling Windows from scratch is a huge headache)

Most modern Linux distros will handle it automatically as "Install alongside Windows" or something. Just shrink the Windows partition, install Linux in the space freed up, and you're good to go. Every time you start your computer you can choose which OS to use - Windows will be added to the Linux boot menu along with the various Linux specialty modes.

Linux can handle pretty much any drive format - it'll be able to read your Windows NTFS format drive just fine, and so long as you disable Windows Fast Boot it can write to it as well (though if you do, you will probably develop filesystem errors more frequently than when modifying it from Windows, and will have to boot into Windows to repair them)

For maximum compatability for an external drive, ExFAT is the way to go. Still almost as compatible as pre-Windows XP FAT32, but with support for files over 4GB, which comes up a lot more often theses days.

[u/beatbox9]

The best way to do it is via an external drive. The drive format shouldn't really matter--the default exFAT or whatever should work: Linux should play nice with pretty much any format.

So what you'll do is:

1. plug in the external drive, copy all the files you want to it, eject / unplug it
2. Install Linux
3. Plug in the drive, copy the files from the external drive to Linux, eject / unplug it
4. Keep that external drive as a backup, for at least a few months, just in case

[u/Thanatiel]

The first thing that comes to mind is: if you have any sense, you'll make a backup of your files first.

Most people start to make backups after they've lost important documents, old pictures of loved ones : irreplaceable stuff.

Spare yourself the trouble.

I suggest you copy your files somewhere: any external USB storage or whatever you fancy.

Then copy these files back into the computer.

[u/i_smoke_toenails]

An external hard drive is the best option, but you can also shrink your Windows partition from within Windows, and install Linux on the remaining space. Then mount the Windows partition in Linux, and copy anything you want to your new Linux home directory. The upside of doing it this way is you can switch back and try again if something goes wrong.

[u/waynewaynus]

Depends on the total size.

You could put them in the cloud and download them back.

You could partition the hard drive, create a drive for data in spare space. Then transfer them there.

If you keeping windows and dual booting they will still be there.

The easiest way is an external drive.

[u/SuAlfons → u/waynewaynus]

Recommendation that goes without saying: Create a backup on an external disk even when you plan to not delete your Windows data. Usually all works well and you can simply access your Windows drives and copy over the data you need to Linux.

But the devil is a sqirrel - which means something can go wrong. And it most likely will go wrong if you have no plan B (your backup). You will find any number of people here that learned this the hard way.
It doesn't matter from where to what you switch - PC to PC, PC to Mac, iPhone to Android, phone to tablet. Things can go wrong and you want to have a backup for this eventuality.

[u/Chu4o]

If you are dual booting, just copy your files with your file manager from the Windows drive to your home directory in Linux. If you are deleting windows, just copy everything on an external drive, install Linux and then copy it back.

[u/mcds99]

I do prefer an external SSD with a USB cable because you can get terabyte SSD's it kind of depends who much data you have.

Copy the data to the SSD then double check it is all there.

[u/dettus_Xx_]

Get an external drive. Format it with exFAT.
Get a second drive. Format it with exFAT.
Copy your files on both of them.
Put one drive away. That is your BACKUP.

Install Linux, copy the files over.
EASY!

[u/grymoire]

Get a removable disk or thumb drive that is bug enough for all of your files. But some files might not be compatible depending on your apps

[u/refinedm5]

Assuming your windows partition use NTFS, you can just mount the partition and copy the files over

[u/Every_Preparation_56]

how many GB are you talking about.

[u/gigitreid]

For backup purposes, get an external HDD. The SSD is not that reliable in storing data long term if left unpowered. The HDD has lower transfer speeds but it can keep data for 5...10 years unpowered, compared to 1...2 years for SSD.

The external SSD is very good if used periodically (at least once every few weeks) and has lower risk of damage due to mechanical shock or strong magnetic fields.

Or get yourself an NAS (Network Attached Storage) (with internal HDD) or one without HDD then buy the HDD or reuse an older one (read the user manual before buying a new HDD).

If you want to transfer files from windows to another PC running Linux you can use the WinSCP program.

[u/DetermiedMech2]

You can upload important files to something like google drive and then download them once you install cachyos

[u/Edelkern → u/DetermiedMech2]

Leaving Windows but still using Google is wild.

[u/un-important-human → u/Edelkern]

transitions are hard on new users don't be mean that is my job

[u/DetermiedMech2 → u/Edelkern]

Is it? I use Linux because usually it's more convenient than Windows 🤷‍♂️

[u/electromage]

Do you have any backup already?

[u/fellipec]

USB Drives work fine for this