is a home partition right for me?

**mamamia88** · March 8th, 2009

basically 8.10 is the first time i've used ubuntu. i have done a lot of customizing and would hate to have to lose that when i upgrade to the newer version of ubuntu next month. basically i can download the ubuntu installer on my campus network much faster than i can at home so it would be much faster for me to do a clean install then going through the software channel. would a home partition keep all my settings intact? i really want to get the new filesystem

**Kareeser** · March 8th, 2009

Tentatively, yes. Most settings are stored in your home directory, so separating home onto a different partition would make things easier.

There may be more minute differences, but for the most part, yes.

I'll wait for someone else to chime in.

**mamamia88** · March 8th, 2009

is it possible to just do a copy paste of your home folder from old installation to new installation?

**Skripka** · March 8th, 2009

Originally Posted by mamamia88

is it possible to just do a copy paste of your home folder from old installation to new installation?

On new install all you would do is tell the Ubuntu installer to use your old /home partition for /home, but maske sure NOT to check the box to format.

Having a seperate /home partition is the smart thing to do.

**mamamia88** · March 8th, 2009

cool thanks

**mkvnmtr** · March 8th, 2009

I thinknusing a home partition is the thing to do. But when I install on another computer I just use the hidden files for the things that are important to me like .mozilla and .mozilla-thunderbird. I will usually put them in the new home before I have opened the apps. If I wait until after I have used the app I have to put the current file in the trash first. It is much quicker than using the whole home folder.

**crunchfighter** · March 9th, 2009

I just performed a fresh install of 8.10 when I upgraded my HD. I did a drag and drop of the /home folder and it worked great for most things.

That said, I still had to update my repos, install my programs, and some things like my TomBoy notes are still MIA.

For the most part though, copying /home worked very well.

**talsemgeest** · March 9th, 2009

Originally Posted by mamamia88

basically 8.10 is the first time i've used ubuntu. i have done a lot of customizing and would hate to have to lose that when i upgrade to the newer version of ubuntu next month. basically i can download the ubuntu installer on my campus network much faster than i can at home so it would be much faster for me to do a clean install then going through the software channel. would a home partition keep all my settings intact? i really want to get the new filesystem

Basically, yes. The easiest way to keep your setting when reinstalling Ubuntu is to have a separate home partition. If you are going to keep your existing home files, make sure you copy the hidden files and folders as well.