Question regarding Linux/Ubuntu dual boot systems?

[sastusbulbas]

Hi,

I have occasionally ran Ubuntu on it's own, usually it was on old PC's simply to try, but been some years since I spent time on it, recently revisited.

I have set up a new PC, partially, sort of set it up to get started for now. Tried Ubuntu last month, rarely used it due to work and such. But I am thinking it would be worth trying it as a dual boot, second OS for occasional use to cut down on the machines at hand, as it would probably get used more that way.

If going about this, is it best to simply install it along side Windows? Or is installing it on it's own NVMe worth considering? I am thinking mainly to try Steam games initially. Possibly music/flac files.

If your running this alongside another install, what do some of you do for the Linux files such as games on steam, or music libraries, does it have any issues if you have a large archive or Windows files and media, anything it cannot share or access, or keeping it simply with it's own folders? Is there any conflict with Windows 10/11 and Linux when on the same system to watch for?

Thanks

 

[onkston]

I've recently moved over to Linux Mint, dual booting with windows. I have it on separate drives.
From what I gather it's better to have it on its own drive, if you can. I think it just makes things easier, like fixing problems if something messes up. I believe one of the main issues with having them on the same drive is that windows can mess with the boot loader.

Linux can mostly handle data formatted for windows fine. I haven't had to change anything. The only issue I had was with gaming.
I wanted to keep all my games on one drive as I have a couple bought on the Xbox store.

Unfortunately I couldn't get the gaming working on an NTFS drive. I tried all sorts of things but nothing worked and as soon as I switched to ext4 it worked perfectly.

Everything else has been fine, music, films etc. So I just had to partition my games drive with a small section for the windows games.