Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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How easy is it to switch back to windows? (lemmy.blahaj.zone)

submitted 5 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

114 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I'm considering switching to linux but I'm not a computer savvy person, so I wanted to have the option to switch back to windows if unforeseen complications (I only have 1 pc). Is it just a download on usb and install? And what ways can I get the product key or "cleaner" debloated versions.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (3 children)

If you're nervous about the switch consider dual-booting. Then you're not fully committed to the switch & you can have your old Windows system back whenever you want it.

Main steps are:

Run a defrag on your Windows machine to physically consolidate all your Windows data to one area.
Break that partition into two (Linux will go one the new empty side)
Install Linux from a USB as normal, but don't choose to wipe your drive completely. Choose a manual option instead where you specifically indicate your intended Linux partition from above.
Optional: Once installation is complete you can set up another partition to hold files which can be available to both OSs.
- Boot into Linux & define the remaining unused space in the Linux partition as a new NTFS partition & give it a name which makes it obvious what it is (i.e. "sharedspace")
- Then boot into Windows and move the existing data you'd like to share between OSs here (work documents, movies, music, etc.)

Some useful links:

Video on setting up a dual boot
Howtogeek used to have a great walkthrough for doing this but I'm getting a 404 error when I try to follow the link now :(
Optional: Setting up Linux symlinks to point to the shared space partition

[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 months ago (2 children)

I would argue that it is better to have two separate drives for the installation. It simplifies things for non tech savvy people, and I believe Windows has less of an opportunity to mess with your linux install, such as messing with the efi partition.

[–] NutWrench 4 points 5 months ago

Same here. I installed Linux Mint on my internal D: drive and left my Windows C: drive completely untouched. Then, I changed my boot order in bios to boot from drive D: This lets you play with Linux without messing with the bootloader on your Windows drive, or fiddling with partitions.

Once I decided to keep Linux, I modified the D: drive bootloader ("sudo update-grub") so it would show both drives when I booted from D: Now I can boot into either OS without having to change the boot order in BIOS.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

THIS all fucking day for new and even experienced users. Setting up a dual boot is fairly easy. But the moment you decide that you just need Windows (mostly new/non-tech users) and delete the Linux partition. Shit will break booting and lead to so much panic and/or frustration just getting Windows booting again. And that ignores the additional fuck-ups that can happen with just making a small mistake doing anything with partitions no matter the OS. It is much less frustrating to just disconnect the second drive in a desktop (or just format the drive and have as a data drive). Or to just swap one drive for another in a laptop with one drive bay/slot. Opening a laptop might be annoying depending on the model.

But at least your data and OS won't be lost. Lots of people can understand using a screwdriver and spudgers while watching a video and some care. But lots of video and written guides for complex software can be worse. Lots of my frustrations with Linux guides over the years has to do with some steps being just left out due to the person(s) showing or writing it just assume certain steps as being super "obvious" or "common sense." Though some folks are at least good at pre-facing stuff as assuming certain levels of knowledge. So it is easier to know that I might need to also research whatever they mentioned.

And if someone is experienced, it is still good to keep your OSes on physically different drives. Reduce the amount of problems that can come from a drive going bad and taking both (or however many) OSes down together. Of course backups are to be made for reasons that include a drive failing. But shit happens, and minimizing impact and the work needed to get everything working again is always a good idea. It is also nice to know that if you get the itch to distro-hop, you can just nuke the one drive without worry as much as you want. Keep your "I need to know this won't be impacted" drive safe, and your play drive liquid.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago

Dual booting is more complex and should be avoided if possible. If someone doesn't like Linux they can just go back to Windows. I dual booted for years and I can say it was totally useless.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

Here is an alternative Piped link(s):

Video on setting up a dual boot

Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.

I'm open-source; check me out at GitHub.