I've finally decided to delete my Windows 11 partition and go all in with Zorin.
Using Gparted, I have been able to delete the Windows partition and that space is now free. However, when I try to expand the Zorin partition the system does not allow me to. My guess is that while I'm running Zorin the disk is mounted and cannot be modified.
If that is the case, how can I expand the Zorin partition without being logged into it? Is it possible from the boot loader?
Worst case, I'll do a fresh reinstall but I would like to not have to set everything up again. I do have a backup but I'm not sure if all configurations are saved there.
So this would need to be done via a Live USB in order to do. However, due to the free space being preceding the Zorin install, generally what has to happen in that situation is that you need to move it first, and then expand it to the right.
However there's a partition in front of it that seems to possibly be an issue. If you could enlighten me, why is there a second fat32 partition? Was that originally supposed to be for the Zorin bootloader? Because from what I can see, it seems like the 2nd one isn't used for loading Zorin, and the first one is.
IF that is the case, you could remove the second one, then move the zorin ext4 root (/) partition to the left, then extend to the right. BUT you need to make sure that that second fat32 partition isn't in use.
EDIT: the reason I think the second fat32 isn't being used by zorin is because it seems like it's not even mounted while you're using it. Just wanted to add that
Actually, I first attempted to downsize the Windows partition. Then, when I tried to boot into windows, I received a warning that the system was corrupted and could not be recovered.
I've shut down and booted again and I'm not running into any issues. Should I expect some kind of problem going forward?
I think I created the extra boot partition when trying out Pop OS. I was not sure if I would break anything so I didn't delete it just in case.
I have now been able to allocate the free space to the linux partition. However, what should I do with the EFI boot partition? Is the Zorin bootloader stored there? If I decide to go back to a Windows dual boot for whatever reason, will I need this?
Some users have had issues where wifi adapters or sound cards etc seem to be somehow locked to Windows.
When you shutdown windows without Fast Start-up disabled, Windows does not fully shut down but enters as sort of hibernation mode to speed up next start. That seems to cause a problem for some even after removing Windows.
You may not be affected, some are some are not, just saying best to untick Fast Start-Up before trashing Windows, if you still have Windows bootable on the PC.
So that current EFI system partition that is remaining needs to stay. That is where your Zorin bootloader is located. I also wouldn't be surprised if you managed to browse to that location you would also find remnants of Windows in there as well, but that's a small amount of data, and I would recommend just not touching it unless absolutely necessary.
As for going back to windows, you could choose to install windows bootloader there, but realistically windows sometimes just does what it wants while going through the initial install, so if you ever want to go back or install again because of xyz, what I would do:
Shrink Zorin to allow space on the right for however big you want windows to be
Install windows into the empty space and don't touch the other partitions at all
Personally I don't think you should need to go back, BUT if you do, that's what I would do.
Thanks for explaining this. I wondered if GRUB just ran from the Zorin partition itself.
I haven't had the need to use Windows in the ~2 months I've been using linux in this dual boot config, hence why I'm getting rid of it. As you mentioned, there's always a BUT so it's good to know I can use it the need comes up.
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