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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

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How can I migrate my existing /home/ directory to another drive? (lemmy.world)

submitted 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) by youngGoku@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml

10 comments fedilink hide all child comments

This was I can wipe the drive it's on and install a new OS without losing anything in /home/

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[–] blotz@lemmy.world 23 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

Step 1: copy data to new drive. Mount new drive to /mnt/. cp -ra /home/* /mnt/. -a means that all permissions remain the same which will mean that your user can still read them. Check the man page for more details. This command will take a while. Use -v to see progress. You should see a folder with your username appear.

Step 2. Prepare /home for new drive. Move the files to a new folder. This is done to make sure you can still easily go back. mv /home/ /home-bak/ keep your old home dir safe in case a mistake was made. mkdir /home/.

Step 3. Mount your new drive. Mount your drive to /home/ and check if you can login. If everything went correctly, you should be able to just login. Finally you need to update your /etc/fstab to include this new drive. This will make sure your home drive mounts when you start your os. If everything is working, you can delete your home-bak as well.

[–] EdgeRunner@lemmy.dbzer0.com 16 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I dont like the MV home. 😅

My advice :

login as root.
rsync -av /home, on the new disk.
fstab : comment the old home's line, don't delete, and copy it to change the identifier (path or uuid).
noob tips, add a new file in the new home.
login to check it is ok (with su - user), and check there is the new file.

You can now delete or keep it as a save.

[–] blotz@lemmy.world 9 points 11 months ago (1 children)

the mv home is just renaming the folder so you can mount home in the same space. Rsync is probably better than cp but I didn't want to suggest tools that op doesn't have installed.

[–] EdgeRunner@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 11 months ago

Oh ok I see why no use of rsync. Clever.

I've read your solution, OP, you can go. Good tuto written on mobile.

[–] blotz@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago

This is a rough guide written on mobile. its probably best if someone double check some of this stuff before op tries it.