How can I safely dual-boot Linux from Windows without data loss?

[JonathanH]

I’ve been using Windows for years, but lately I keep hearing friends talk about how much smoother their workflow is on Linux. I’m curious about trying a dual-boot setup, but I’m honestly worried about messing up my existing partitions and losing everything. Has anyone else made this switch starting from a place of zero command line knowledge?

[GregoryNR]

I switched from Windows to Linux last year and it felt scary at first but the freedom is real and the day to day work flows smoother once you settle in

[Jacob.S]

From a systems view Linux can feel faster because there are fewer middle men between you and the hardware and the package store tends to be more predictable

[Andrew.M]

Some people hype the switch because it feels new but the real wins show up when you pick the right tools and accept occasional driver quirks

[NicholasT]

Maybe the question is not about swapping OSs but about expanding your toolkit and seeing what crafts your habits better

[EleanorZB]

Is dual boot the only path to try Linux could a USB live session or a lightweight VM be a gentler inspection?

[RileyS]

Back up first and use the guided installer with careful partition sizing and a separate boot area so you can recover easily if things go sideways

[Richard.W]

If you are totally new to the terminal a friendly Linux distro with a clear GUI and one click app installs helps you begin without diving deep into commands