Hello guys,

I bought a new SSD (WD black sn770 2 TB) for my laptop and I also got a USB-C hub which includes a slot for an SSD. My old SSD is 512 GB

So here is what I want to do: I want to change to Linux from Windows 11. I want to keep my old SSD in the USB-C hub with Windows still installed in case I need it for some software/games but Linux will now be my main OS.

Are there any tips or recommendations on things I should look out for when doing this?

I also don’t know if I can just install Linux in what is ATM the external SSD and then swap it out afterwards with the SSD inside the laptop without having to do anything extra and if it will just work like that.

I plan on following this tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfWdnCIrcxk.

Also any recommendations on how I can safely transfer some files? Do I need a special software?

In case interested this is the distro that I plan on using: https://garudalinux.org

As a side note, I did check that the SSD is compatible with my computer and has everything right.

  • CaptDust@sh.itjust.works
    7·
    5 months ago

    I wouldn’t recommend swapping afterwards, moving devices around is a good way to confuse a bootloader and run into problems.

    I think you should create your installation medium, remove the Windows SSD from laptop, install your new one, then install Linux.

    You won’t need anything special to transfer files, but keep in mind windows 11 uses bitlocker by default, you’ll probably want to disable that while windows SSD is still in the laptop, otherwise that drive will remain encrypted and inaccessible by Linux.

    Good luck!

    • Mexigore@lemmy.worldOP
      1·
      5 months ago

      I would only be swapping once and then having the windows SSD in the USB C hub. Would you still recommend that I install the SSD straight away in the laptop and set it up from there?

      • CaptDust@sh.itjust.works
        2·
        5 months ago

        Well, if Garuda’s installer does what it’s supposed to do and assigns your boot drive by UUID, it really shouldn’t matter. I still think swapping before install and having the system in the planned final configuration minimizes the risk of failure.

        Some background: There was a time in history where boot devices were defined by their physical port location, so if you reordered or moved drives, it was up to the user to update the boot config to align it to the new location. If the user didn’t know to do that step, the computer would fail to boot. Modern linux distros should use the drive’s unique hardware identifier to find the device, wherever it’s plugged in.

  • www-gem@lemmy.ml
    1·
    5 months ago

    When setting up your SSD, don’t forget to use TRIM to preserve it if possible. See the Arch wiki. You can follow it even if you use another distro.