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I would like to confirm if I can install Ubuntu on a secondary hard-drive without dual boot option and without messing up my work laptop. I have this work laptop that has encrypted hard-drive with windows 7. I have option to install a hard-drive caddy and I could install a Ubuntu on it. I would like to avoid having a dual-boot option. I could change the boot hard-drive to secondary whenever I need to use Ubuntu. I am unable to enter in the BIOS, but I have option to select boot device (F9). So here's the procedure I was thinking:

  1. Install secondary HDD and remove main temporarily during installation
  2. Install ubuntu on secondary hdd - since main is removed boot info will not be shared?
  3. Re-install main HDD
  4. Select F9 - boot device whenever I need to use Ubuntu - otherwise Windows 7 will boot as a default

Does this work?

Appreciate!

user2661372
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1 Answers1

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Ubuntu on Second Hard Drive or SD Card

Most laptops have a SD card slot. SD cards are getting fast, cheap and large. You can quickly do a Full install of Ubuntu to an SD card.

If you install to the SD card in the same BIOS or UEFI mode Windows is installed in, you only need to run sudo update-grub to add Windows to the SD cards boot menu.

Once everything is working well, you have the option to clone the SD card to an SSD without loosing any data, and you know it will work and be safe.

For a quick and easy way to fully install Ubuntu to an SD card using an Ubuntu image See:

Install Ubuntu on a micro SD card class 10 512GB

C.S.Cameron
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