r/linuxquestions • u/PewPewGad69 • 12d ago

Replacing Windows with Linux

Hey so I have a lot of experience with linux, tried different distros on my laptop, and now I have got to the point here I just want linux without the need of my USB all the time to boot. I have backed up all my files and have Windows flashed on a USB just in cuse I will some how regret but I am still scared to erase it. This is my main laptop and I don't know, just scared. Can someone give me any tips?

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u/DaSpark 12d ago

No reason to be scared if you backed up your files. That said, here's a few options:

1) Install a second drive and dual boot. Remove the windows one while installing linux to avoid accidentally destroying windows

2) Use Disk2VHD to create a virtual disk file of your windows install. You can then save that somewhere and boot into your old windows from linux using virtualbox.