I would like to switch to Linux halfway, but don't want to say goodbye to Windows completely
How can I do this now? Should I install both on the built-in SSD? Or on a USB stick? Is 32GB enough? Do I have to worry about data loss?
Would be great if I would get a basic explanation
Ubuntu installs itself parallel to Windows and your Windows hard drive is reduced accordingly.
to get started you can definitely install Linux on your usb stick, I also had it once. First set in bios usb boot and if you want to go into windows then pull out usb. Definitely the better option for trying out. 32 GB is sufficient for now in any case…
I would recommend you create a partition for Linux. This offers the best performance for both operating systems because USB is slower. In terms of storage space, this depends on the distribution, Ubuntu (one of the most popular distributions) requires 25 GB of storage space. You don't have to worry about data loss, the operating systems don't get in each other's way. Dual boot is the faster option.
Basically you can create both operating systems on one partition each and start them with a boot loader (e.g. GRUB) when booting.
Or you install a virtual machine (e.g. VirtualBox) on Windows and install Linux in it. It works the other way around, but not so smoothly.
What exactly does a dual boot look like? Are both systems booted up and I have to choose which one I want right at the beginning or Windows starts automatically and I have to start Linux from the hard drive. Does it take longer to start the PC?
When installing Linux to Windows, at least two Linux partitions are automatically created. You don't need to do this manually.
No, you can then choose which of the two operating systems you want to boot onto when booting. The resources (CPU, RAM and the graphics card) are only available to the operating system that you have started. In addition, you can usually specify which operating system you want to start by default. It is simply important that you do not write from one operating system to the partition of the other operating system, this could cause problems.
OK
When installing, most distributions will automatically suggest installing next to Windows and creating your own partition. You don't have to do that manually.
I have two Linux distributions running in one virtual machine - OpenSuse Leap 15.0 and Linux-Bodhi. I'm more than happy with it. If I want to switch from Windows to Linux in the virtual machine, it is faster than with DualBoot. And back to Windows is also quick.
I don't have to shut down the computer and then start up with the desired operating system.
As a Linux beginner I would recommend Linux Mint: https://linuxmint.com/...xmint.com/ Simply choose the edition you like. They only differ from the desktop.
After you have downloaded the ISO, simply flash it to an empty formatted stick with this tool https://www.balena.io/...io/etcher/.
Then just boot the stick and follow the instructions of the wizard. When the dialog with the installation types appears, simply select "Install Linux Mint next to Windows". Then a boot menu is installed at the end where you can choose between Windows 10 and Linux Mint when you switch on the laptop.
Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu and is 100% compatible with it. The only difference is that Linux Mint also has package sources with proprietary drivers. You have application management at Linux Mint. It's like an app store. There you just choose what you want to install. There you can find e.g. Firefox, Spotify, Minecraft, OBS-Studio, VLC Player, Google Earth Pro, Skype and much more.
In rare cases you have to install programs that are not available in the package sources / application management. Such programs are available for Linux Mint as DEB files. These are installation packages that you simply install with a double click. For example Microsoft Teams which is also available for Linux. Simply download the DEB file from the Microsoft Teams site and double-click it to install it. A start menu entry is then also created.
