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I currently have Windows 7 installed on an SSD and just got another SSD which I want to install Ubuntu on. My current setup with Windows 7 is that I have all of my games and apps installed on the SSD, but I have all of the personal folders like "My Music," "My Videos," "Desktop" and others point to a regular HDD. That way whatever files I have on my desktop are actually stored on the regular HDD, and not the SSD. These files are ordinary files that any OS can open, such as pictures, videos, etc.

My question is whether I can get Ubuntu to use that same drive for the /home directory so that all of my personal files are stored on there as well, but without reformatting it. I would like to be able to still use it with the current setup that I have on Windows 7, but I would like Ubuntu to use it as well. Is there a way for me to do this? The HDD is formatted as NTFS.

Please let me know if I wasn't clear or if more detail is needed. Thanks

Mo2
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1 Answers1

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Yes, that should be easily doable. You can create new partition in the HDD for your home directory, and put the rest of the system files on the SSD. You won't have to format the HDD, but you'll probably have to shrink the partition storing your Windows documents to make room for your Ubuntu /home partition. Also, keep in mind you won't be able to access your Ubuntu documents from Windows (though you'll be able to access your Windows documents from Ubuntu) because Windows cannot read ext3/ext4 partitions.

To shrink the HDD partition storing your Windows documents, I'd recommend using the Disk Management tool in Windows. Right click on the partition and select "Shrink Volume," to create space for your Ubuntu documents.

After this you should be able to start installing. I don't have the Ubuntu installer in front of me right now but I'll try to describe the process as best I can.

  1. Boot the Ubuntu install CD and follow the installation prompts.

  2. When it gets to the disk partitioning section and asks how you want to install, select "Something Else" to go to the manual partitioning options

  3. Right click on the unallocated space in your new SSD where you want to install Ubuntu's system files. Click "Configure," and a dialogue box should pop up.

  4. Use the following settings:

    Use as: Ext4 Journaling File System
    Mount point: /

  5. Right click on the unallocated space in your HDD, where you want your Ubuntu /home partition to be. Click "Configure" again, and use the following settings:

    Use as: Ext4 Journaling File System
    Mount point: /home

That should be it! You can then proceed with the rest of the installation.

tlng5
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