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.

Edit: Thank you everyone! This was a great discussion with a lot of great and thoughtful responses. I really appreciate the replies and all the valuable information and opinions given here.

  • phanto
    30·
    4 months ago

    I had a work laptop and did the “external USB” thing. One day, at work, I’m messing with my Linux on a public wifi, having unplugged from the corporate LAN.

    A co-worker walks by, sees the Network cord unplugged, plugs it in. I am oblivious in the washroom.

    Corporate security got to my laptop before I did.

    I didn’t get fired.

    I don’t work there anymore, though.

    • astraeus@programming.dev
      121·
      4 months ago

      Yeah, this is just a terrible idea. The risk is far greater than any potential reward you might be getting.