Solved Replacing Ubuntu 24.04 with Kubuntu 24.04

[lymphor]

Hello everybody
I want to remove Ubuntu 24.04 from my PC and replace it with Kubuntu 24.04. I already have an USB stick with Kubuntu ready to be installed, but I would need some advice regarding the procedure to follow.
I currently have installed in my PC both Windows 11 and Ubuntu 24.04, on the same SSD NVME M.2 drive:

• Partition 1 (NTFS): Windows 11
• Partition 2 (EXT4): Ubuntu 24.04
• Partition 3 (NTFS): Documents

What I plan to do is the following:
1. Copy the HOME folder of Ubuntu on another drive.
2. Boot Windows 11.
3. Use MiniTool Partition software to erase Partition 2 (the one with Ubuntu), and thus leave an empty unpartitioned space.
4. Boot the PC from the USB stick with Kubuntu.
5. Install Kubuntu in the empty unpartitioned space.
6. Copy from Ubuntu's HOME folder to Kubuntu's HOME folder all the directories with the software I'm most interested in (Mozzilla Thunderbird and several internet browsers: Chromium, Chrome, Opera, Firefox and Brave).
7. Install the aforementioned software in Kubuntu.

But I have some doubts regarding the correctness of these steps, so I'd need the opinion of a more experienced user.
What I'm most worried about is grub: will it automatically be updated during the installation of Kubuntu?

Thanks in advance to anyone who will help!

 

[KGIII]

Hmm...

If you're lazy, sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop which should install Kubuntu and give you the chance to boot into the Kubuntu desktop (and associated apps) when you next reboot.

Otherwise, your steps above look like they'll work.

One thing I do differently is I install the application and then I move my backup data (configs) to my home directory. So, I'll install Chrome and then move my backup data over that.

 

[kc1di]

If you have a back up of your important files. You can just go ahead and install kubuntu making sure you point it to the ubuntu partition it will overwrite ubuntu.

 

[Gloster]

• Partition 1 (NTFS): Windows 11
• Partition 2 (EXT4): Ubuntu 24.04
• Partition 3 (NTFS): Documents

I miss a fat32 boot partition.

The new Ubuntu installation 24.04 provides new "pictures" instead of an option to "replace Ubuntu by Kubuntu".

I used the "expert" option, and I did only format the ext4 partition (former Ubuntu 24.04, it can be recognized by the size), no further settings for this partition nor another partition.
With the hope the installation does recognize my intention, and the automatically modified bootloader does point to the new Ubuntu in ext4, it works.
But I did make a backup of my win11 (image+repair usb).

 

[Alexzee]

Hello everybody
I want to remove Ubuntu 24.04 from my PC and replace it with Kubuntu 24.04. I already have an USB stick with Kubuntu ready to be installed, but I would need some advice regarding the procedure to follow.
I currently have installed in my PC both Windows 11 and Ubuntu 24.04, on the same SSD NVME M.2 drive:

• Partition 1 (NTFS): Windows 11
• Partition 2 (EXT4): Ubuntu 24.04
• Partition 3 (NTFS): Documents

What I plan to do is the following:
1. Copy the HOME folder of Ubuntu on another drive.
2. Boot Windows 11.
3. Use MiniTool Partition software to erase Partition 2 (the one with Ubuntu), and thus leave an empty unpartitioned space.
4. Boot the PC from the USB stick with Kubuntu.
5. Install Kubuntu in the empty unpartitioned space.
6. Copy from Ubuntu's HOME folder to Kubuntu's HOME folder all the directories with the software I'm most interested in (Mozzilla Thunderbird and several internet browsers: Chromium, Chrome, Opera, Firefox and Brave).
7. Install the aforementioned software in Kubuntu.

But I have some doubts regarding the correctness of these steps, so I'd need the opinion of a more experienced user.
What I'm most worried about is grub: will it automatically be updated during the installation of Kubuntu?

Thanks in advance to anyone who will help!

Your plan to use the Windows 11 tool to erase partition 2 will work.

You can also use the Partition Manager that comes with the Kubuntu installer and delete the Ubuntu partition. Just write down all of the partitions (or take a screenshot and send it to your phone or other device) before you remove/delete them so you know exactly the correct one before you click delete.
Just make sure that you have enough room (your unpartitioned space) for a ext 4 partition for Kubuntu, a swap partition and a partition for the boot.
---.................----
I would not copy Ubuntu's /home folder to your fresh installation of Kubuntu....and here's why:

- - Kubuntu's versions of Mozilla Firefox, Thunderbird, Chromium, Brave and etc. may not be the exact same versions as your Ubuntu installation.

Your fresh installation of Kubuntu should have it's own package manager to assist you in installing other browsers you fancy. OR> You can use Synaptic Package Manager.

Update Grub the first time you boot into your fresh install of Kubuntu. Do this before your restart so you will have the option to boot into Windows.

sudo update-grub

 

[Alexzee]

Mixing old configurations from one installation to a new installation often does not go well.
At least that's been my experience.

 

[lymphor]

If you're lazy, sudo apt install kubuntu-desktop which should install Kubuntu and give you the chance to boot into the Kubuntu desktop (and associated apps) when you next reboot.

Wow, I didn't know that! However, this time I will do a fresh install, but thanks!

One thing I do differently is I install the application and then I move my backup data (configs) to my home directory. So, I'll install Chrome and then move my backup data over that.

Noted! I'll do as you say, thanks!

 

[lymphor]

I miss a fat32 boot partition.

Well, that's probably because I simplified it all
But here's a screenshot of the SSD in charge:

I suppose it's enough if I delete Partition 5 (/dev/nvme1n1p5), right?

You can also use the Partition Manager that comes with the Kubuntu installer and delete the Ubuntu partition. Just write down all of the partitions (or take a screenshot and send it to your phone or other device) before you remove/delete them so you know exactly the correct one before you click delete.

Nice idea, thanks!

Just make sure that you have enough room (your unpartitioned space) for a ext 4 partition for Kubuntu, a swap partition and a partition for the boot.

Thanks, I suppose 150 GB should suffice.

---.................----

I would not copy Ubuntu's /home folder to your fresh installation of Kubuntu....and here's why:

- - Kubuntu's versions of Mozilla Firefox, Thunderbird, Chromium, Brave and etc. may not be the exact same versions as your Ubuntu installation.

Ok, noted, thanks. I'll just try my luck with Mozilla Thunderbird, because there are so many settings/accounts I would need to set up

Update Grub the first time you boot into your fresh install of Kubuntu. Do this before your restart so you will have the option to boot into Windows.

sudo update-grub

Thank you for the precious advice(s)!

Actually, thanks to everybody for helping me out!

 

[Alexzee]

Well, that's probably because I simplified it all
But here's a screenshot of the SSD in charge:
View attachment 22882
I suppose it's enough if I delete Partition 5 (/dev/nvme1n1p5), right?


Nice idea, thanks!


Thanks, I suppose 150 GB should suffice.


Ok, noted, thanks. I'll just try my luck with Mozilla Thunderbird, because there are so many settings/accounts I would need to set up


Thank you for the precious advice(s)!

Actually, thanks to everybody for helping me out!

You're welcome.
And, yes deleting partition 5 is what you will want to do. 150 Gig's is plenty.

Kubuntu may give you the option of installing it alongside of your Windows install so pay close attention when the installer brings up the partition manager.
If not, take away a gig or 2 from your 150 Gig's for the swap and at least 512 mb for the boot partition.

Mozilla Thunderbird should already be a package included in your your fresh installation of Kubuntu.
If you need assistance with Thunderbird, Brave or anything else, just let us know.

Best wishes for your fresh Kubuntu installation.
Let us know how it goes:-

 

[KGIII]

Mixing old configurations from one installation to a new installation often does not go well.

I will mention that I've done exactly this for a very long time and seldom had any issues with it.

Make sure your system is fully up to date before this, if you want more surity. But, I've imported some pretty old data.

I've even taken the data from one distro family and used it on a different distro family. In that case, I also swap out my bash_history and a modified alias file.

 

[lymphor]

Hello everybody! Thanks to your help, the installation went smooth and I'm currently writing to you from Kubuntu
During the installation, I was requested to create a FAT32 EFI system partition of at least 300MiB. So I made one of 400MiB. No SWAP partition was requested. From what I've noticed, Kubuntu is using a SWAP file (which is only 500MB, so I'll have to increase it).
Thunderbird was already installed, so all I had to do was to copy its old folder from the HOME folder of Ubuntu.
I already managed to install many things, including the NVIDIA drivers.
I'm very comfortable with Kubuntu's interface: I find it very intuitive, providing me all the info/tools I need. It seems to be the right choice for me. And I'm also going to install it on my mother's Laptop, since she showed interest in Linux and wants to try it out
Many thanks again to everybody, your assistance was essential, as always
If I'll need further help, I'll open separate threads, so that other users can easily find them in the future, in case they need.
Once again: T.H.A.N.K. Y.O.U.!

 

[kc1di]

Hello everybody! Thanks to your help, the installation went smooth and I'm currently writing to you from Kubuntu
During the installation, I was requested to create a FAT32 EFI system partition of at least 300MiB. So I made one of 400MiB. No SWAP partition was requested. From what I've noticed, Kubuntu is using a SWAP file (which is only 500MB, so I'll have to increase it).
Thunderbird was already installed, so all I had to do was to copy its old folder from the HOME folder of Ubuntu.
I already managed to install many things, including the NVIDIA drivers.
I'm very comfortable with Kubuntu's interface: I find it very intuitive, providing me all the info/tools I need. It seems to be the right choice for me. And I'm also going to install it on my mother's Laptop, since she showed interest in Linux and wants to try it out
Many thanks again to everybody, your assistance was essential, as always
If I'll need further help, I'll open separate threads, so that other users can easily find them in the future, in case they need.
Once again: T.H.A.N.K. Y.O.U.!

Glad it all worked out for you Unless you plan on using Hibernate you should not need a bigger swap file that that. Unless your system only has say 4gb ram. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Banky]

Man I so need to learn how to mess with partitioning

 

[Banky]

Here's how mine looks. Does it look like I need to adjust anything? And if so maybe some basic instructions. I've no experience with partitioning. Thanks guys..........

 

[Alexzee]

Hello everybody! Thanks to your help, the installation went smooth and I'm currently writing to you from Kubuntu
During the installation, I was requested to create a FAT32 EFI system partition of at least 300MiB. So I made one of 400MiB. No SWAP partition was requested. From what I've noticed, Kubuntu is using a SWAP file (which is only 500MB, so I'll have to increase it).
Thunderbird was already installed, so all I had to do was to copy its old folder from the HOME folder of Ubuntu.
I already managed to install many things, including the NVIDIA drivers.
I'm very comfortable with Kubuntu's interface: I find it very intuitive, providing me all the info/tools I need. It seems to be the right choice for me. And I'm also going to install it on my mother's Laptop, since she showed interest in Linux and wants to try it out
Many thanks again to everybody, your assistance was essential, as always
If I'll need further help, I'll open separate threads, so that other users can easily find them in the future, in case they need.
Once again: T.H.A.N.K. Y.O.U.!

Thanks for the details.
Glad to hear your fresh installation went well and that you are well pleased.
Enjoy your Kubuntu and have a nice weekend!

 

[lymphor]

Here's how mine looks. Does it look like I need to adjust anything? And if so maybe some basic instructions. I've no experience with partitioning. Thanks guys..........View attachment 22908

Hello I'm not an expert, but I think partition 1 is way too big. In any case, please open a separate thread, you'll surely receive all the help you need Best of lucks!

 

[lymphor]

Glad it all worked out for you Unless you plan on using Hibernate you should not need a bigger swap file that that. Unless your system only has say 4gb ram. Good luck and enjoy!

Thanks, I didn't know that. Ok then, I'll leave it as it is, as I don't use Hibernate and I have considerably more than 4GB RAM

Thanks for the details.
Glad to hear your fresh installation went well and that you are well pleased.
Enjoy your Kubuntu and have a nice weekend!

Thank you, you too!