this post was submitted on 14 May 2025
1 points (100.0% liked)

Linux Mint

2560 readers
1 users here now

Linux Mint is a free Linux-based operating system designed for use on desktop and laptop computers.

Want to see the latest news from the blog? Set the Firefox homepage to:

linuxmint.com/start/

where is a current or past release. Here's an example using release 21.1 'Vera':

https://linuxmint.com/start/vera/

founded 4 years ago
MODERATORS
[email protected]
1
How can I switch to Linux Mint with a clean install and keep my 300GB of data (with metadata) safe? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
0 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/37943447

Hi all, I'm planning to do a clean install of Linux Mint on my laptop and completely remove Windows. I have about 300GB of personal data on the system and only one SSD, so everything is currently stored on that single drive.

Here’s what I want to do:

  1. Back up all my data safely, without losing any metadata (timestamps, folder structure, etc.).
  2. Wipe Windows and do a clean install of Linux Mint.
  3. Restore my data with everything intact—timestamps, folder structure, and metadata.
  4. Be able to open or run file types that are only supported by Windows, like certain .exe, .msi, or specific file types.

I don’t have a second internal drive, so I’ll probably use an external hard drive or cloud storage.

What i want to know is:

1.What’s the best way to back up and restore my data safely while preserving all metadata?

2.What tools or methods should I use for backup and restore?

3.How can I access or use files that are only supported by Windows once I’ve switched to Linux? Are there workarounds or compatibility layers?

I’m fairly new to Linux, so beginner-friendly advice would be awesome.

Thanks in advance!

no comments (yet)
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
there doesn't seem to be anything here