What is the safest way to install Linux as a second OS

[Technerd2]

Hi

I just bought a windows 10 laptop for my study, and I want to install Linux as a second OS. But I don't want Linux to slow down windows or affect it in any way, because I use it more than Linux and I have some important files and expensive apps. I thought I should install it on an external HDD or USB. But I don't know weather it is a good idea or not. So I need your advice. my laptop has a 128 SSD which is the boot drive, a 1Tb 7400rpm internal HDD, I7-5700HQ, 960m, and 8Gb of ram. I can buy an external HDD or USB for Linux if you think it's the way to go.

 

[itmoba]

I think your best bet right now is to install VirtualBox and test out Linux from a Windows host.

 

[USAFRet]

As above, VirtualBox.

 

[Technerd2]

Do want me to test it so I see if it is compatible with my hardware or just to try it?
because I've used Linux before

 

[McHenryB]

As long as you are careful, installing on an external hard drive is an excellent way to go. Make sure that the boot manager is installed to the external drive, not either of your internal ones. You can use the BIOS to select which disk to boot (most provide a key combination that gives a boot menu) or else install EasyBCD in Windows to set up a boot menu.

USB 3 hard drives are nearly as fast as internal ones, which takes care of the speed problem. Alternatively, as already suggested, a VM is a good route - but it will be a bit more limited than a native install; it all depends upon what you want to do with the Linux.

 

[Alabalcho]

With your laptop' specs, stick to VirtualBox. You gor fast CPU, large secondary HDD so you would get good user experience out of it.

 

[Callum Clarke]

I'd say back up first and then try dual booting your laptop. If you go wrong, It would be fine! And if you do actually do that then the Product key for Windows operating systems is built into the bios. Depends on the motherboard though I think? Not to sure.

 

[DeadlyDays]

the only "dangerous" thing is if you accidentally select an automatic install which might format your windows partition/s
or if you damage the windows boot manager(which acts like a virus so unlikely)

You want free space on the main harddrive(not partitioned), or a separate harddrive(with free space not used in a partition), use a manual install, create the partitions in the free space, do not format the drive or format existing partitions or install to existing partitions. You will be creating your main Linux partition and a swap space partition(usually only a few gigs)

Then the only issue is possibly damaging the windows boot loader, which isn't a huge deal if you have a boot disk or something to recover the boot loader. You could disable the main drive in the bios before installing Linux to ensure you don't touch the boot loader. Just remember to reenable it later and select the disk you want to boot from first for the boot loader you want to use.