Replace Ubuntu with Zorin without affecting user data

Installing Zorin OS
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#2

Hi and welcome to the forum :slight_smile:

You can copy everything under your Home directory to save your personal data.

As for Windows installation, there is an option to install Zorin alongside with a pre-existing Windows.

Before you make this big move, I recommend you to make an entire disk image backup using Rescuezilla for just in case anything goes wrong.

#3

Hi,
Thanks for the suggestion.

I was wondering if there is a way to partition the Ubuntu installation drive and install Zorin over the Ubuntu root directory and leave the rest of the drive untouched.

#4

You should be able to delete Ubuntu partition from a Live USB session using Gparted.
In theory, the same could be done from Windows side, but I've never doe it myself.

#5

I think it is impossible. While Zorin is based on Ubuntu, it is a totally different operating system.

#6

Hi FrenchPress, just wanted to install Ubuntu alongside Zorin OS. I have left 500 GB for Ubuntu and 500 GB for Zorin OS. The thing i want to know is that after installing ubuntu on another partition beside zorin os, will the grub of ubuntu/zorin work properly without clashing with each others grub

#7

I am doing this on my personal computer, which has many files. Henceforth i don't want any file loss :slight_smile:

#8

What I meant is to delete the Ubuntu root directory and assign that space for Zorin's root directory.

I thought that process might simplify things.

#9

Welcome to the community @Gekkouga. I wanted to do the exact opposite of which you are asking :wink:, except removing Zorin.

#10

You can follow my advice above regarding making a back up of the entire Home folder and Rescuezilla image backup before initiating making a big move.

#11

Rescuezilla seems difficult :thinking:, or else they have not mentioned the steps in an easy manner

#12

While no one will stop you to do your experiment, I do not think it is workable.

#13

And will Rescuezilla back up all my files and stuff

#14

It will.
But it can only restore the disk as a whole image.
It is not possible to pick and chose what you want to restore.
It is works like a Time-machine in macOS to revert back to how things were before the any changes made.

#15

hmm... so for example if i backup there and if i want to restore it, then what will be its process

#16

I am in a hurry just because i wanted to use Ubuntu with GNOME 40 :wink:

#17

You should check the Rescuezilla site I gave above.
There is a good tutorial which I see no point for me to repeat here.

#18

Oh thank you so much. One last thing, after installing ubuntu in another partition, will it's grub clash with zorin os' grub

#19

"Hurry" is a main ingredient of a recipe for disaster.

Take your time and try to understand the whole procedure before jumping into making any major changes unless you are under the gun point (and I assume you are not).

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#20

Yup of course not :joy:

#21

Hi, welcome.

No, it is not possible to replace Ubuntu with Zorin and keep everything from data (/) .
You can backup data and specific folder only.
If you have Ubuntu on 2 separate partition, root on one and home on second, than you can use those "home" partition on Zorin

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