techsupport

2518 readers

6 users here now

The Lemmy community will help you with your tech problems and questions about anything here. Do not be shy, we will try to help you.

If something works or if you find a solution to your problem let us know it will be greatly apreciated.

Rules: instance rules + stay on topic

Partnered communities:

You Should Know

Software gore

Recommendations

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

GatoB

Will installing windows on a separate drive break my current linux install? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by [email protected] to c/techsupport

17 comments fedilink hide all child comments

So, i use linux, i don't have any windows install on my disk, but someone wants me to install windows on their HDD, so, if i plug said HDD on one of my sata ports and try to install windows 10 on it, will it mess with my linux boot? if yes, is there a way to prevent that without physically disconnecting my main drive? (my main is an nvme ssd, that's why I'd rather not remove it, already suffered enough trying to screw that in ther

Edit: Fortunally i got to convince the person to bring their whole PC, so now i won't have to deal with this anymore! Thank you very much for all the answers everyone

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] ShunkW 12 points 10 months ago (4 children)

Windows is notorious for fucking with GRUB and other bootloaders. You might be able to go into your BIOS and disable your main drive while doing the install to prevent any issues. But it's been so long since I've tried to do that, maybe verify before taking my advice.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (3 children)

Sadly only SATA ports can be disabled on my board, that doesn't seem to be possible to do to the nvme port, but thanks there!

[–] circuitfarmer 5 points 10 months ago

I'd even suggest unplugging the Linux drive entirely. Let Windows install as if it is on the only drive. When complete, plug everything back in and set up your boot order accordingly. Manually add the Windows drive to your Linux bootloader.

load more comments (2 replies)