Hello everyone, lately I’m having issues with my windows OS and wanted to hard reset it. But right now my PC have 2 linux installed (CachyOS & Ubuntu). Both of it installed on a separated physical drive from windows. Is it safe for me to just reinstall windows without the need to fix my GRUB bootloader after it?
It is my understanding (right or wrong) that when you re-install windows, it will wipe (destroy) your grub bootloader. You will have to re-install your GRUB bootloader to boot your Linux installs after the windows re-install.
If the Linux installs are on a separate drive, I would just unplug it and then do the Windows install with them unplugged.
Then when you are done and plug the other drive back in, grub should still be able to boot it just fine. If not, worst case you just need to have it run the os-prober and re-add the windows entry.
I have re-installed Windows a few times, but I have two drives, one for Linux and one for Windows. I use Limine for my bootloader, so it might be different experience from Grub. Getting secure boot set back up was a PIA and making sure that the UEFI is pointed to the correct bootloader, but that it unique to whatever UEFI you are using.
My tips would be to give yourself plenty of time, make sure you are formatting the correct partitions. Don’t get frustrated if you break your bootloader, because you can fix it. Lastly make sure you get your Bitlocker recovery key from Windows, you will need it when messing with the bootloader, UEFI and secure boot.
If it’s on a separate hard drive then you don not need to fix your bootloader afterwards, simple as that,
If it’s on the same one, then you might have to, but it’s not like it’s hard to update it, it’s a simple process.