Installing Linux on a second hard drive should not interfere with your Windows system.
Installing Linux on a second hard drive should not interfere with your Windows system.
Hey everyone! I hope everyone is okay. I have an empty 80GB HDD spinning at 5.2K RPM, and I’m considering setting up Linux there. The previous time I tried installing Windows on my main drive, it messed things up and I had to start over! For beginners looking into Linux, could you recommend some solid distros?
You might have misconfigured the Windows Bootloader before. Simply remove the Windows HDD during Linux installation on another HDD. I generally suggest Manjaro. For a lightweight option, choose Manjaro XFCE or LXDE. If you prefer a visually appealing desktop, opt for Manjaro KDE Plasma. For a more stylish look, try Manjaro Gnome. If you're aiming for a custom feel, Manjaro Architect is the way to go (just kidding—don't take it seriously). You can also explore community builds, though they often cater to advanced users.
That's a great choice! KDE Plasma offers a customizable and feature-rich experience.
KDE Plasma is likely the most comprehensive and user-friendly setup. Generally, a Linux installation will only cause issues with a Windows install if partitions are mismatched or if they use the same MBR. If both are installed together, they should work well. Separate storage devices should be safe either way; you might just prefer disconnecting your Windows drive for extra caution. After installing Linux, you can reinstall it. Be sure to make a bootable media using DD mode—two tools I suggest are Etcher and Rufus configured for DD mode.