resize2fs or a bootable gparted stick will help. And yes, it's all on the Arch Wiki.
this post was submitted on 01 Aug 2025
21 points (88.9% liked)
Linux
56942 readers
446 users here now
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
Rules
- Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
- No misinformation
- No NSFW content
- No hate speech, bigotry, etc
Related Communities
Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0
founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS
Resize your partitions so you can use the empty space.
Then install to the new position.
Update grub.
Also, just in case that nobody mentioned that already, a good opportunity to learn how to backup and restore your data ;-)
The real question is: Why?
Here's some answers to your question:
- Backup your data, nuke the drive, start again.
chrootis the tool for the job. Backup your data before you accidentally nuke your drive.- Shrink the partition and write a new one in the empty space, but backup your data before you accidentally nuke your drive.
- Connect an external drive, install on it, but backup your data before you accidentally nuke your drive.
Finally, the reason that the wiki didn't help is that the question is asked by either a person with not enough experience, or one who doesn't need the wiki. This is a non trivial process and you should backup your data before you proceed, lest you accidentally nuke your drive.
Edit:
Also, anything you break can be fixed .. but only if you have a backup.
In addition to this, it's also a good idea to backup important data first.
Option (4) is safer in the long run because it prevents boot loaders overwriting each other.
Also, dual-booting and accessing the same data in /home IS ONLY SAFE IF YOU DO A FULL SHUTDOWN ON EACH BOOT OF THE OTHER SYSTEM. No hibernate, because hibernate does not unmount file systems.
If you want to keep both running, a VM (for example running in GNOME Boxes) is both safer and much more convenient.
Resize your drive so you habe enough space for arch. Then boot into the live USB, partion the empty space into the typical boot/swap/root and then install arch as normal.
It's easier with endeavourOS or Cachy OS if you don't want vanilla. As someone who's an Arch user, endeavourOS is better.
OK. Guess i'm installing EndeavourOS alongside my current distro. (Fedora)
But i still have one more question: When i tried to install EOS alongside Fedora in a VM, EOS's GRUB did not find fedora and vice versa. How do i fix that? (Sure, i could spam [ESC] each boot to select the os but that's just inconvenient.)
You can reinstall grub using a grub2disk usb if something goes wrong. It might go better with real hardware than in a VM. I could be wrong though. Sorry I can't be more helpful in that regard, I don't use grub anymore.
Should i replace GRUB with systemd-boot?
Maybe, it's easier to configure. If you already have GRUB setup than I probably wouldn't bother. It depends on your needs.
Cause you have to put endeavouros /boot/efi partition same as fedoras /boot/efi partition. And also os-prober installed.
First step is to shrink and possibly move around your existing partitions to make space for a new one. GParted Live may help with that. Once you have enough space, just install Arch there. If you already have separate /home you should be able to reuse it.
I think it's a messy idea, you will be getting conflicts on files already present in the system. You've been warned ;)
With that out of the way, I guess just download the image and start from https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Installation_guide#Installation
You have to create a second partition or use a Virtual Machine. Look for dual booting instructions, if you want to install alongside your current distro.