#Ventoy and replacing Windows 10 with Linux Mint?

41 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

pliant quarry
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Hi all, completely new to Linux and only ever used Windows 10 here. I did preliminary research, watched a few Youtube walkthroughs and read the installation guide. I think I know how to perform the install well, but I am definitely stumped on how to make sure my files are backed up in a way Linux will be able to retrieve them with.
Things I have now:

  • 64 GB flash drive with Linux Mint Cinnamon 22 ISO flashed on it using Rufus. (FAT32, if that matters)
  • 2 TB SSD formatted with NTFS that has a Windows Hard Drive image made of my PC using the Windows 7 backup tool.

I want to install Linux Mint over my Windows. I know this will totally wipe everything on my C Drive. I am just not confident, after tons of Reddit hunting, wiki reading, and DuckDuckGo searching if Linux Mint will be able to pull my files from my SSD after I perform the install. I know it won't be able to pull my apps or the OS and that's more than fine. It's all the images, documents, etc I care about. So my question is, will my backup work as is or do I need to say, copy over my C drive contents directly or something?

I was recommended to look into Ventoy and I have a follow up question about it after doing some looking into it. It seems it can store both the Mint ISO and also install on the same SSD. So, it seems like could store your permanent files (images, docs) in the same spot the ISO is and then install Linux Mint, so once it's installed you can just grab your files from the same SSD. Will that replace my Windows, or install it on the SSD? I would rather not have Windows at all. My apologies if I am completely misunderstanding how Ventoy works. I am very new to this as a lifetime Windows user, but I'm done with Windows and more than anything willing to learn and grow.

Thank you very much in advance!

molten venture
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booting the ventoy'd USB into Mint will let you try it in live mode

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by no obligation do you have to run the installer.

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as such, no files will be altered anywhere

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and while you're in live mode, you can see if you can read the backup drive and see all its files and open a few of them

pliant quarry
molten venture
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if you're will to proceed, just shut down, unplug the backup drive from the computer (whatever port it's on) and then boot live again, and install to the main drive

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i said boot live from the usb that's been ventoy-prepped.

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#1295816480256163892 message

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read and follow all the steps carefully, including heed the added notes near end.

pliant quarry
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Okay. The USB I have is currently flashed with Cinnamon 22 which I used Rufus to do. Is that identical to doing it through Ventoy?

molten venture
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you may use Rufus.

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if it's an old computer (more than 12 yrs) you shouldnt have a problem booting live TWICE.

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try a few live boots.

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do u know the date the computer was made, as close to real as possible?

pliant quarry
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It's from 2018. I'll try out the live boot first tonight and revisit the file-moving problem in the near future then.

molten venture
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dont move anything. you said you already made a backup of the Windows , i take it to mean all your existent personal files are also on that backup

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if the backup is an ISO,, you can explore an ISO image right from mint live mode

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if the backup is a big folder, then even easier

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while in live mode, explore every facet of the start menu in Linux Mint on the live desktop. each category. Explore the app named Disks.

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and test the sound, all things. in / out jacks for mic and line and speakers, ethernet port, wifi, bluetooth (if any)

pliant quarry
molten venture
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well you shoulda just made it an ISO

pliant quarry
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Thank you you're right. I am definitely jumping the gun here haha

molten venture
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but if it's an IMG file, i suppose there's live tools

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u can even play around n download from the internet / visit the Software Manager in linux Mint (and all live distros) and get a new app or 4

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(nothing is actually saved, upon reboot)

pliant quarry
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I can replace the current backup with a different type. Since I'm a bit of a newbie to this area of computers, I'm not sure how to make a backup a different way. I didn't see one in the install guide but maybe I missed it? I'm happy to do it as an ISO

molten venture
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u can use Clonezilla live

pliant quarry
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Yeah I know the Live is only temporary. Cool. This is so helpful so far thank you

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Clonezilla live. I'll look into that too 😁

molten venture
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(requires another usb stick for clonezilla live) OR a single ventoy'd usb stick big enough to house both the Mint and the Clonzilla live ISO

pliant quarry
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Silly question. Does Ventoy "partition" the USB?

molten venture
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CZ live allows DIRECT imaging to another connected device (of at least as large a size) OR saving to image.

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yes it handles everything

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#1295816480256163892 message

pliant quarry
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Okay awesome!! Thank you so much for being so patient and helpful. These are perfect to get started. Much obliged wavecat

molten venture
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np. u can view a 15 minute real time demo of Clonezilla Live by LearnLinux TV on youtube

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in fact, you can boot Mint live, and watch it from there

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thereby doing some of the testing I mentioned