OV9

Can anyone explain what I need to do to create a separate, bootable partition so I can experiment with Linux on my Windows machine? I’ve downloaded an iso file of Linux Mint.

In all honestly, I'd just buy a cheapo 128GB SSD, remove the windows drive and replace it, have a mess, then swap it back if needed.
Or, even easier, use Virtualisation (Oracle Virtualbox probably the best bet). You can boot up a virtual OS in that.

Otherwise, you've gotta fuck about with the partitions on your drive, it's just messy.

Matty wrote: Fri Jan 16, 2026 5:51 pm In all honestly, I'd just buy a cheapo 128GB SSD, remove the windows drive and replace it, have a mess, then swap it back if needed.
Or, even easier, use Virtualisation (Oracle Virtualbox probably the best bet). You can boot up a virtual OS in that.

Otherwise, you've gotta fuck about with the partitions on your drive, it's just messy.

What Matty says.

Virtual box. It'll make it much easier to get started and to reverse. Unless you have a very specific use case that cannot be virtualized, that's the route I've taken before.

What they both said.

Virtualbox if you just wanna get used to the design paradigms/changes in usability (menu positioning etc), and then a seperate SSD to test it For Realsies.

Other option is buy a cheap laptop like wot me and DJ have (thinkpad T480) and just install it on that and run that as your daily for a while. Get the full experience without risking your main wanking/banking box.

But, but, if I use Oracle am I supporting Red Bull?

Download Linux onto a USB drive. You can boot directly off the USB to see if you like it.

Mito Man wrote: Fri Jan 16, 2026 7:13 pm Download Linux onto a USB drive. You can boot directly off the USB to see if you like it.

Ah, might do that first.