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Resolved Convert a primary partition to logical to dual-boot?

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by psaulm119, 2019/12/27.

  1. 2019/12/27
    psaulm119 Lifetime Subscription

    psaulm119 Geek Member Thread Starter

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    I already have four partitions on my hard drive (two of them being recovery partitions, another for Windows, and the last for my data files), and would like to make another one (to dual boot into a linux distro). I have plenty of unallocated space (60 plus gigs), but Windows won't turn it into a partition because I have maxed out the limit of four with the MBR (or so I'm told). One solution is to turn one of my partitions into a logical one.

    (1) Is this something I can do with Windows' native Disk Management utility, or would I need a third party utility for this?

    (2) Would this then bring me down to three, so I could format this unallocated space as a new partition?

    Finally, (3) would there be much chance of a data loss? I could copy the files on this partition (the one I'm thinking of turning into a logical partition) onto a separate external drive, and then after the procedure, if there was a data loss, I would have the backups available at a moment's notice. But it would be easier & quicker if this wasn't going to happen.
     
    psaulm119,
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  2. 2019/12/28
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    1. Back up data on the primary partition you want to use, best to use the last one.
    2. Delete the partition.
    3. Create a new logical drive.
    4. Create a new NTFS partition and copy back the backed up files.
    5. Use the free space left for the Linux install.

    I've been running Linux for 20 years on various systems. If I was in your position I'd just add a second drive and use that for the Linux install. Linux will install GRUB (Grand Unified Boot Loader) on the MBR of the first drive anyway and GRUB will auto detect the Windows installation and add it to its boot menu.
     
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  4. 2019/12/28
    psaulm119 Lifetime Subscription

    psaulm119 Geek Member Thread Starter

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    I have enough space on my hard drive so that I think I'd prefer just keeping everything on the same drive (I do have an external drive to back things up, of course).

    When I back up my data this weekend, I'll go ahead with your plan. Just for the record, here is my hard drive, in the screenshot. The unallocated space is where my Kubuntu installation will go. D is my documents partition, C is my Windows 10 installation.

    drive.png
     
    psaulm119,
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  5. 2019/12/28
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Understood.
    Use the D drive with above instructions.
    The new NTFS partition on the logical drive can be set at 150 GB, roughly double the space you are currently using on D now. That leaves room for continued use.

    You'll have approx 90 GB free space for Kubuntu. You'll need 2 Kubuntu partitions in that free space, using the Manual method of creating partitions during the install:
    1. Make one root partition for the Kubuntu and all user files using approx 88 GB. (looks like this: /)
    1a. The guide below says to make a /home partition too for all user files and settings, but it's not necessary. If not created then /home will reside on / (root partition.
    2. Make a swap partition using the remaining free space, approx 2 GB. The general rule is the swap partition should equal to the amount of RAM you have, but 2 GB is more than enough and it's unlikely it will ever get used unless do heavy image editing (GIMP) or heavy audio/video editing.

    (On Linux, the swap partition is equal to Windows page file (C:\System Volume Information); processes and data is swapped out between RAM and that partition.)

    This guide has all the steps and you can ignore the part about shrinking the Windows partition.
    https://www.lifewire.com/ultimate-windows-7-ubuntu-linux-dual-boot-guide-2200653
     
    Last edited: 2019/12/28
    TonyT,
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  6. 2019/12/28
    psaulm119 Lifetime Subscription

    psaulm119 Geek Member Thread Starter

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    OK, I'll be sure to make that additional swap partition. I suppose the Kubuntu installation process will allow me the option to do that? Or should I make that partition BEFORE the installation of the OS?

    Also, the data files on D are the ones I plan on using in Kubuntu--in other words, I don't think I'll be storing anything on my Kubuntu partition except the OS, programs, and individual profile data (like Firefox, etc.).
     
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  7. 2019/12/31
    psaulm119 Lifetime Subscription

    psaulm119 Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Thanks a lot, Tony. I was able to transfer my data files to an external drive (I needed to buy one anyways, as my previous external backup drive was running out of space), then I turned my free space into two logical partitions, and my data is back onto one, and the other is running Kubuntu--and I took up your suggestion of limiting my data partition to 150 gigs, so I still have 60 or so gigs of free space for something else in the future. I actually managed to get Debian (almost) installed years ago (unresolved dependencies finished that project off), and I've tinkered with live CDs, but this is the first actual installation of a linux distro. Much obliged.
     
    psaulm119,
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  8. 2020/01/01
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Well done! You'll enjoy being able to browse the WWW without any fear of malware!
     
    TonyT,
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