install Ubuntu on your system
install Ubuntu on your system
And that didn't really make much difference, right? Have you created a bootable USB using Rufus for Linux Mint? Are you simply running Linux via a live USB, or did you choose to install and set up Linux on a 64GB USB drive? I'm asking because when I made a bootable USB with Rufus (for Linux Mint), it used only about 1GB of space, leaving the rest free (3GB), so your 64GB should have plenty of empty space for transferring files. Also, did you partition your hard drive in Windows, or was it just one large C drive?
You had ample room in Windows, and you only needed to save a small amount of data instead of relying on something that could be re-downloaded.
The plan is to set up an additional partition on the HDD during safe mode, utilizing the 400 GB space, and then transfer the necessary files to that new partition. This way, you can reinstall Windows directly without relying on Linux while preserving important data. I’m certain this approach has already proven effective for me on my current PC.
Only allows creation of a 13GB drive with 388GB available space remaining.
The optimal choice is to use an external HDD (size based on your internal storage needs) and link it to the PC while Linux runs from the USB drive. Format the external drive as needed (select NTFS for compatibility with Windows). Transfer files from your internal HDD to the external one. After completion, remove the external drive, format the internal one, restart the PC without the Linux stick, and install Windows using the installer. When setting up the installation, adjust the partition size to ensure sufficient space for Linux. Although it's possible to resize the Windows partition later, Windows tends to place system restore data at the end, restricting how much you can reduce its size. It seems your backup is missing—having the external drive available is a strong safeguard. Since you still have access, now is an excellent time to begin regular backups. Think about the expense of the external HDD as a worthwhile investment. You’ll appreciate it if your internal drive fails completely or if ransomware attacks occur on your PC.