I currently have a Dell laptop that runs Windows for work. I use an external SSD via the Thunderbolt port to boot Linux allowing me to use the laptop as a personal device on a completely separate drive. All I have to do is F12 at boot, then select boot from USB drive.

However, this laptop is only using 1 of the 2 internal M.2 ports. Can I install Linux on a 2nd M.2 drive? I would want the laptop to normally boot Windows without a trace of the second option unless the drive is specified from the BIOS boot options.

Will this cause any issues with Windows? Will I be messing anything up? For the external drive setup, I installed Linux on a different computer, then transferred the SSD to the external drive. Can I do the same for the M.2 SSD – install Linux on my PC, then transfer that drive to the laptop?

Any thoughts or comments are welcome.

  • satanmat@lemmy.world
    0·
    9 months ago

    DO NOT install a second M.2

    Use the external drive

    If the internal drive is in there, you could be asked at work to turn it in. It is not a good look to ask to remove an internal drive.

    • StorageB@lemmy.oneOPEnglish
      0·
      9 months ago

      This is a great point. The laptop does have a quick access panel for the M.2 drive, but a screwdriver would still be required to remove the screw holding the drive in place.