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submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by WheatleyInc@lemmy.blahaj.zone to c/linux@lemmy.ml

The title says it all, I'd like to switch my operating system and preserve most of my files. Any other info I should know before the move would be nice as well.

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[-] UmbraTemporis@lemmy.dbzer0.com 34 points 8 months ago

If you're frequently distro-hopping, I recommend using a seperate /home partition. I did that before I settled down, I can't begin to describe how convenient it was (especially if you use Flatpak).

[-] sorrybookbroke@sh.itjust.works 8 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

To do this one could install the new distro on a new partition, boot to it, delete everything from the old installation except the hone directory, move your user to the base directory (/home/sorrybookbroke -> /sorrybookbroke) before editing your /etc/fstab and mounting the old partition to /home

This way, no external drive is needed like @Luci@lemmy.ca suggested. Of course, their suggestion is the easiest, but this is the one I personally chose.

[-] zwekihoyy@lemmy.ml 0 points 8 months ago

this is so much more wlrk

[-] Luci@lemmy.ca 28 points 8 months ago

Copy them to an external drive or another computer, copy them back after.

Chances are you're gonna wanna wipe the partition table on your switch over so I'd just copy them out then back in. No point over complicating things.

[-] MalReynolds@slrpnk.net 4 points 8 months ago

Yea, I was gonna say, have ya not heard of backups ? but this is better.

[-] flakusha@beehaw.org 2 points 8 months ago

Just to add: some folders' files might need modifications in the new system, e.g. .config/

[-] db2@lemmy.world 8 points 8 months ago

I'd recommend starting fresh. Make a new one but don't delete the old one. You can then copy over what you want without bringing over anything like dotfiles with bad settings.

[-] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 4 points 8 months ago

Just remove every directory except for /home/. Then install the new OS without repartitioning.

[-] Luci@lemmy.ca 12 points 8 months ago

I'd be careful, not every distro plays nice when you do this. In my experience at least.

[-] scratchandgame@lemmy.ml 4 points 8 months ago

WHY THERE ARE NOT.

Please have a partition for /home. In fact, you need partition for /usr, /var,.. too

[-] electric_nan@lemmy.ml 1 points 8 months ago

Why? Serious question. I kind of understand /home, but why the others? I used to do it a bit, but now I don't bother. I never knew how big to make each partition, and have had problems where something like /boot fills up and freezes the system.

[-] Nibodhika@lemmy.world 4 points 8 months ago

If /home is on a different partition just don't format it and set it to mount on the same place and you should be good to go. If it's not make a backup, then create a partition just for it, install your new system, restore the backup, and next time you won't need a backup.

this post was submitted on 11 Mar 2024
51 points (94.7% liked)

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