Is it safe to format C: drive in order to deploy Linux on a Windows 10 machine?
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
I have deployed several distros on Windows, such as Open SUSE Enterprise Server 15, Kali, and Ubuntu, but want to turn my currently Windows 10 machine to a Linux machine.
Is Virtual Machine the best way to go, or is it better to possibly format and wipe my machine and start from scratch?
I have deployed the Windows Subsystem, but I want a completely Linux machine.
linux windows-subsystem-for-linux
edited Dec 24 '18 at 20:17
ctrl-alt-delor
10.9k41957
asked Dec 22 '18 at 23:53
Angelfirenze
86
|
show 2 more comments
I have deployed several distros on Windows, such as Open SUSE Enterprise Server 15, Kali, and Ubuntu, but want to turn my currently Windows 10 machine to a Linux machine.
Is Virtual Machine the best way to go, or is it better to possibly format and wipe my machine and start from scratch?
I have deployed the Windows Subsystem, but I want a completely Linux machine.
linux windows-subsystem-for-linux
edited Dec 24 '18 at 20:17
ctrl-alt-delor
10.9k41957
asked Dec 22 '18 at 23:53
Angelfirenze
86
What is your definition of safe? If you format C, you will definately loose some data.
– ploth
Dec 23 '18 at 0:01
I am wondering if formatting my C: drive will destroy my computer and whether partitioning or something else would be better. I currently have everything on my C: drive and recovery drive backed up to an external hard drive.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 0:10
1
If you do not care about the data on the disk you can wipe it. The distro's installer will write a new partition table for you. If anything goes wrong you can install Windows again if needed, it will write it's own partition table again.
– DaLynX
Dec 23 '18 at 0:29
formatting the C: drive does not destroy a computer
– jsotola
Dec 23 '18 at 0:35
While you do not understand that much how a computer works, I would advise staying with WSL to get the hang of it
– Rui F Ribeiro
Dec 23 '18 at 0:50
|
show 2 more comments
I have deployed several distros on Windows, such as Open SUSE Enterprise Server 15, Kali, and Ubuntu, but want to turn my currently Windows 10 machine to a Linux machine.
Is Virtual Machine the best way to go, or is it better to possibly format and wipe my machine and start from scratch?
I have deployed the Windows Subsystem, but I want a completely Linux machine.
linux windows-subsystem-for-linux
edited Dec 24 '18 at 20:17
ctrl-alt-delor
10.9k41957
asked Dec 22 '18 at 23:53
Angelfirenze
86
I have deployed several distros on Windows, such as Open SUSE Enterprise Server 15, Kali, and Ubuntu, but want to turn my currently Windows 10 machine to a Linux machine.
Is Virtual Machine the best way to go, or is it better to possibly format and wipe my machine and start from scratch?
I have deployed the Windows Subsystem, but I want a completely Linux machine.
linux windows-subsystem-for-linux
linux windows-subsystem-for-linux
edited Dec 24 '18 at 20:17
ctrl-alt-delor
10.9k41957
asked Dec 22 '18 at 23:53
Angelfirenze
86
edited Dec 24 '18 at 20:17
ctrl-alt-delor
10.9k41957
asked Dec 22 '18 at 23:53
Angelfirenze
86
edited Dec 24 '18 at 20:17
ctrl-alt-delor
10.9k41957
edited Dec 24 '18 at 20:17
ctrl-alt-delor
10.9k41957
edited Dec 24 '18 at 20:17
ctrl-alt-delor
10.9k41957
10.9k41957
asked Dec 22 '18 at 23:53
Angelfirenze
86
asked Dec 22 '18 at 23:53
Angelfirenze
86
asked Dec 22 '18 at 23:53
Angelfirenze
86
86
What is your definition of safe? If you format C, you will definately loose some data.
– ploth
Dec 23 '18 at 0:01
I am wondering if formatting my C: drive will destroy my computer and whether partitioning or something else would be better. I currently have everything on my C: drive and recovery drive backed up to an external hard drive.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 0:10
1
If you do not care about the data on the disk you can wipe it. The distro's installer will write a new partition table for you. If anything goes wrong you can install Windows again if needed, it will write it's own partition table again.
– DaLynX
Dec 23 '18 at 0:29
formatting the C: drive does not destroy a computer
– jsotola
Dec 23 '18 at 0:35
While you do not understand that much how a computer works, I would advise staying with WSL to get the hang of it
– Rui F Ribeiro
Dec 23 '18 at 0:50
|
show 2 more comments
What is your definition of safe? If you format C, you will definately loose some data.
– ploth
Dec 23 '18 at 0:01
I am wondering if formatting my C: drive will destroy my computer and whether partitioning or something else would be better. I currently have everything on my C: drive and recovery drive backed up to an external hard drive.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 0:10
1
If you do not care about the data on the disk you can wipe it. The distro's installer will write a new partition table for you. If anything goes wrong you can install Windows again if needed, it will write it's own partition table again.
– DaLynX
Dec 23 '18 at 0:29
formatting the C: drive does not destroy a computer
– jsotola
Dec 23 '18 at 0:35
While you do not understand that much how a computer works, I would advise staying with WSL to get the hang of it
– Rui F Ribeiro
Dec 23 '18 at 0:50
What is your definition of safe? If you format C, you will definately loose some data.
– ploth
Dec 23 '18 at 0:01
What is your definition of safe? If you format C, you will definately loose some data.
– ploth
Dec 23 '18 at 0:01
I am wondering if formatting my C: drive will destroy my computer and whether partitioning or something else would be better. I currently have everything on my C: drive and recovery drive backed up to an external hard drive.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 0:10
I am wondering if formatting my C: drive will destroy my computer and whether partitioning or something else would be better. I currently have everything on my C: drive and recovery drive backed up to an external hard drive.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 0:10
1
1
If you do not care about the data on the disk you can wipe it. The distro's installer will write a new partition table for you. If anything goes wrong you can install Windows again if needed, it will write it's own partition table again.
– DaLynX
Dec 23 '18 at 0:29
If you do not care about the data on the disk you can wipe it. The distro's installer will write a new partition table for you. If anything goes wrong you can install Windows again if needed, it will write it's own partition table again.
– DaLynX
Dec 23 '18 at 0:29
formatting the C: drive does not destroy a computer
– jsotola
Dec 23 '18 at 0:35
formatting the C: drive does not destroy a computer
– jsotola
Dec 23 '18 at 0:35
While you do not understand that much how a computer works, I would advise staying with WSL to get the hang of it
– Rui F Ribeiro
Dec 23 '18 at 0:50
While you do not understand that much how a computer works, I would advise staying with WSL to get the hang of it
– Rui F Ribeiro
Dec 23 '18 at 0:50
|
show 2 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
Yes, you can do that and Windows will be gone together with all its applications, data, ...
However, as you're new to Linux (I'm impressed with all the stuff you have running under Windows if you're really a N00b), why not go multi-boot?
So take a CloneZilla Live system backup on an external HD before you start, shrink the Windows C: drive to the minimum + 15%, install Ubuntu as that's the easiest to install on 3 partitions:
/for the OS/homefor its dataswapequal to SQRT(RAM) if you do not plan on using hibernation in any Linux Distro and RAM+SQRT(RAM) if you do plan on using hibernation.
then install OpenSUSE on 2 extra partitions:
/for the OS/homefor its data- the existing
swappartition can be reused by OpenSUSE!
And for heaven's sake: Keep Kali on a USB stick and only insert the USB stick to boot Kali when you need it!
It's a very specialised distro not for the faint at heart!
answered Dec 23 '18 at 0:49
Fabby
3,66511228
Part of it was looking Linux up in the Microsoft Store once I found out they now list Linux distros and you can download them. Other resources were the Complete Privacy and Security Desk Reference by Michael Bazzell and Justin Carroll, which also had resources.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 0:58
1
Part of what I learned has been the result of both programming learning websites like Team Treehouse and Pluralsight and, I say a bit guiltily, paying obsessive attention to the details while watching Mr. Robot...
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:02
So I need to delete the Kali distro I downloaded from the Microsoft Store?
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:45
Well... As you're asking: Forget about Kali! Come back to Kali in a few months/years when you've got much more experience... ¯_(ツ)_/¯
– Fabby
Dec 23 '18 at 1:47
Got it. I'll just let it sit until then.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:48
|
show 2 more comments
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Yes, you can do that and Windows will be gone together with all its applications, data, ...
However, as you're new to Linux (I'm impressed with all the stuff you have running under Windows if you're really a N00b), why not go multi-boot?
So take a CloneZilla Live system backup on an external HD before you start, shrink the Windows C: drive to the minimum + 15%, install Ubuntu as that's the easiest to install on 3 partitions:
/for the OS/homefor its dataswapequal to SQRT(RAM) if you do not plan on using hibernation in any Linux Distro and RAM+SQRT(RAM) if you do plan on using hibernation.
then install OpenSUSE on 2 extra partitions:
/for the OS/homefor its data- the existing
swappartition can be reused by OpenSUSE!
And for heaven's sake: Keep Kali on a USB stick and only insert the USB stick to boot Kali when you need it!
It's a very specialised distro not for the faint at heart!
answered Dec 23 '18 at 0:49
Fabby
3,66511228
Part of it was looking Linux up in the Microsoft Store once I found out they now list Linux distros and you can download them. Other resources were the Complete Privacy and Security Desk Reference by Michael Bazzell and Justin Carroll, which also had resources.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 0:58
1
Part of what I learned has been the result of both programming learning websites like Team Treehouse and Pluralsight and, I say a bit guiltily, paying obsessive attention to the details while watching Mr. Robot...
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:02
So I need to delete the Kali distro I downloaded from the Microsoft Store?
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:45
Well... As you're asking: Forget about Kali! Come back to Kali in a few months/years when you've got much more experience... ¯_(ツ)_/¯
– Fabby
Dec 23 '18 at 1:47
Got it. I'll just let it sit until then.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:48
|
show 2 more comments
Yes, you can do that and Windows will be gone together with all its applications, data, ...
However, as you're new to Linux (I'm impressed with all the stuff you have running under Windows if you're really a N00b), why not go multi-boot?
So take a CloneZilla Live system backup on an external HD before you start, shrink the Windows C: drive to the minimum + 15%, install Ubuntu as that's the easiest to install on 3 partitions:
/for the OS/homefor its dataswapequal to SQRT(RAM) if you do not plan on using hibernation in any Linux Distro and RAM+SQRT(RAM) if you do plan on using hibernation.
then install OpenSUSE on 2 extra partitions:
/for the OS/homefor its data- the existing
swappartition can be reused by OpenSUSE!
And for heaven's sake: Keep Kali on a USB stick and only insert the USB stick to boot Kali when you need it!
It's a very specialised distro not for the faint at heart!
answered Dec 23 '18 at 0:49
Fabby
3,66511228
Part of it was looking Linux up in the Microsoft Store once I found out they now list Linux distros and you can download them. Other resources were the Complete Privacy and Security Desk Reference by Michael Bazzell and Justin Carroll, which also had resources.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 0:58
1
Part of what I learned has been the result of both programming learning websites like Team Treehouse and Pluralsight and, I say a bit guiltily, paying obsessive attention to the details while watching Mr. Robot...
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:02
So I need to delete the Kali distro I downloaded from the Microsoft Store?
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:45
Well... As you're asking: Forget about Kali! Come back to Kali in a few months/years when you've got much more experience... ¯_(ツ)_/¯
– Fabby
Dec 23 '18 at 1:47
Got it. I'll just let it sit until then.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:48
|
show 2 more comments
Yes, you can do that and Windows will be gone together with all its applications, data, ...
However, as you're new to Linux (I'm impressed with all the stuff you have running under Windows if you're really a N00b), why not go multi-boot?
So take a CloneZilla Live system backup on an external HD before you start, shrink the Windows C: drive to the minimum + 15%, install Ubuntu as that's the easiest to install on 3 partitions:
/for the OS/homefor its dataswapequal to SQRT(RAM) if you do not plan on using hibernation in any Linux Distro and RAM+SQRT(RAM) if you do plan on using hibernation.
then install OpenSUSE on 2 extra partitions:
/for the OS/homefor its data- the existing
swappartition can be reused by OpenSUSE!
And for heaven's sake: Keep Kali on a USB stick and only insert the USB stick to boot Kali when you need it!
It's a very specialised distro not for the faint at heart!
answered Dec 23 '18 at 0:49
Fabby
3,66511228
Yes, you can do that and Windows will be gone together with all its applications, data, ...
However, as you're new to Linux (I'm impressed with all the stuff you have running under Windows if you're really a N00b), why not go multi-boot?
So take a CloneZilla Live system backup on an external HD before you start, shrink the Windows C: drive to the minimum + 15%, install Ubuntu as that's the easiest to install on 3 partitions:
/for the OS/homefor its dataswapequal to SQRT(RAM) if you do not plan on using hibernation in any Linux Distro and RAM+SQRT(RAM) if you do plan on using hibernation.
then install OpenSUSE on 2 extra partitions:
/for the OS/homefor its data- the existing
swappartition can be reused by OpenSUSE!
And for heaven's sake: Keep Kali on a USB stick and only insert the USB stick to boot Kali when you need it!
It's a very specialised distro not for the faint at heart!
answered Dec 23 '18 at 0:49
Fabby
3,66511228
edited Dec 23 '18 at 1:03
answered Dec 23 '18 at 0:49
Fabby
3,66511228
answered Dec 23 '18 at 0:49
Fabby
3,66511228
answered Dec 23 '18 at 0:49
Fabby
3,66511228
3,66511228
Part of it was looking Linux up in the Microsoft Store once I found out they now list Linux distros and you can download them. Other resources were the Complete Privacy and Security Desk Reference by Michael Bazzell and Justin Carroll, which also had resources.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 0:58
1
Part of what I learned has been the result of both programming learning websites like Team Treehouse and Pluralsight and, I say a bit guiltily, paying obsessive attention to the details while watching Mr. Robot...
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:02
So I need to delete the Kali distro I downloaded from the Microsoft Store?
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:45
Well... As you're asking: Forget about Kali! Come back to Kali in a few months/years when you've got much more experience... ¯_(ツ)_/¯
– Fabby
Dec 23 '18 at 1:47
Got it. I'll just let it sit until then.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:48
|
show 2 more comments
Part of it was looking Linux up in the Microsoft Store once I found out they now list Linux distros and you can download them. Other resources were the Complete Privacy and Security Desk Reference by Michael Bazzell and Justin Carroll, which also had resources.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 0:58
1
Part of what I learned has been the result of both programming learning websites like Team Treehouse and Pluralsight and, I say a bit guiltily, paying obsessive attention to the details while watching Mr. Robot...
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:02
So I need to delete the Kali distro I downloaded from the Microsoft Store?
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:45
Well... As you're asking: Forget about Kali! Come back to Kali in a few months/years when you've got much more experience... ¯_(ツ)_/¯
– Fabby
Dec 23 '18 at 1:47
Got it. I'll just let it sit until then.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:48
Part of it was looking Linux up in the Microsoft Store once I found out they now list Linux distros and you can download them. Other resources were the Complete Privacy and Security Desk Reference by Michael Bazzell and Justin Carroll, which also had resources.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 0:58
Part of it was looking Linux up in the Microsoft Store once I found out they now list Linux distros and you can download them. Other resources were the Complete Privacy and Security Desk Reference by Michael Bazzell and Justin Carroll, which also had resources.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 0:58
1
1
Part of what I learned has been the result of both programming learning websites like Team Treehouse and Pluralsight and, I say a bit guiltily, paying obsessive attention to the details while watching Mr. Robot...
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:02
Part of what I learned has been the result of both programming learning websites like Team Treehouse and Pluralsight and, I say a bit guiltily, paying obsessive attention to the details while watching Mr. Robot...
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:02
So I need to delete the Kali distro I downloaded from the Microsoft Store?
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:45
So I need to delete the Kali distro I downloaded from the Microsoft Store?
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:45
Well... As you're asking: Forget about Kali! Come back to Kali in a few months/years when you've got much more experience... ¯_(ツ)_/¯
– Fabby
Dec 23 '18 at 1:47
Well... As you're asking: Forget about Kali! Come back to Kali in a few months/years when you've got much more experience... ¯_(ツ)_/¯
– Fabby
Dec 23 '18 at 1:47
Got it. I'll just let it sit until then.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:48
Got it. I'll just let it sit until then.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 1:48
|
show 2 more comments
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What is your definition of safe? If you format C, you will definately loose some data.
– ploth
Dec 23 '18 at 0:01
I am wondering if formatting my C: drive will destroy my computer and whether partitioning or something else would be better. I currently have everything on my C: drive and recovery drive backed up to an external hard drive.
– Angelfirenze
Dec 23 '18 at 0:10
1
If you do not care about the data on the disk you can wipe it. The distro's installer will write a new partition table for you. If anything goes wrong you can install Windows again if needed, it will write it's own partition table again.
– DaLynX
Dec 23 '18 at 0:29
formatting the C: drive does not destroy a computer
– jsotola
Dec 23 '18 at 0:35
While you do not understand that much how a computer works, I would advise staying with WSL to get the hang of it
– Rui F Ribeiro
Dec 23 '18 at 0:50