Linux noob here. Usually in Windows if I have a 1TB SSD, I make a 250GB partition for Windows and all of its things and I use the rest for a second partition where I install my stuff and store my files.
Usually in case Windows decides to go belly up, I still have my files. In more than 20 years it has never happened but I’ve always done it like that. I mean if Windows goes bad, I can still remove the drive and insert it into a different PC and copy my files away.
Should I shrink Partition 3 and make another one? Or keep it as it is? If I would, I read that I need to boot with a live usb to be able to shrink it. What kind of partition would I make?
I wouldn’t use multiple partitions anymore. First of all, you would have to decide how large your home and system partitions are which can be annoying later if you either want to install large programs/games on your system or, say, download large videos into your home partition. Apart from that, SSDs life span is reduced if you partition them, because the controller then can’t distribute writes across the while disk, so the cells will not get worn out uniformly.
I personally always have a 50GB / (root) partition and then make another partition for my /home folder. That way if something goes FUBAR, I can easily reinstall without needing to migrate my data somewhere else first.
off topic question: what is the purpose of the unallocated 2mb at the start and the end of the drive?
I don’t know that’s how Pop OS configured it. I gave it the entire drive and it made the partitions and everything.
same for my manjaro install lol, it kinda bothers me but there must be some reason
There has to be a small unused area at the start for the partition table. 2MB is far more than is needed for that, but leaving less would tank performance due to the fs blocks and disk blocks not being aligned.
that clears things up. thanks!
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Maybe for gaming but for my work that would be impossible.