I usually install Linux on a single partition since I only use it as a personal desktop.
However, every now and then I reinstall the box. And what I do is to simply move my files around with an external hard disk.
So how could I prevent that when reinstalling my box (e.g. switching to another distro)?
Best Answer
Keep your /home on a separate partition. This way, it will not be overwritten when you switch to another distro or upgrade your current one. It's also a good idea to have your swap on its own partition. But that should be done automatically by your distro's installer.
The way my laptop is setup, I have the following partitions: