How to Create Separate Partitions for Boot, Root, Home, and Swap on Pop!_OS (Updated)

An important aspect of system management in the world of Linux is the organization of directories. A common practice among Linux users and experienced professionals is to isolate certain directories from the rest of the operating system. This approach, while not mandatory, can provide many benefits that enhance the overall experience of using and maintaining a Linux system.

One such directory that is often isolated is the /home directory. Separating the /home directory from the rest of the operating system has many advantages. For example, it simplifies major upgrades. This is because you can install a new or different Linux distribution without losing most of your personal files and user-specific settings.

Also, it allows more efficient management of disk space. You can increase or decrease the size of the home partition and the root partition independently without affecting the layout of the other, simplifying maintenance. If your root directory (/) becomes full, it can severely impact system performance. Having a separate /home partition helps keep your root directory as empty as possible.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create separate partitions for the EFI System Partition (ESP), / (root), /home, and swap on Pop!_OS.

Please note that this process will erase all data on the drive you're partitioning, so make sure to back up any important data before proceeding.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Boot into Pop!_OS Live Disk

Restart your computer and boot from the Pop!_OS installation media (USB/DVD). Choose 'Try Demo Mode' when prompted.

2. Open GParted

Once you're in the live environment, open GParted. It's a powerful tool for managing partitions.

3. Select the Correct Drive

In GParted, make sure you've selected the correct drive from the dropdown in the top-right corner.

4. Create a New Partition Table

From the 'Device' menu, select 'Create Partition Table'. Choose 'gpt' (GUID Partition Table) for modern UEFI systems (which is the standard) or 'msdos' for older, legacy BIOS systems.

5. Create the EFI System Partition (ESP) - The Boot Partition

This partition is required for Pop!_OS to boot via UEFI.

• Click on the unallocated space and select 'New'.
• Enter 512 in the 'New size (MiB)' field to create a 512 MiB partition.
• Under 'File system', select 'fat32'.
• Click 'Add'.

6. Create the / (Root) Partition

Repeat the process to create the root partition.

• The size depends on your needs, but 40GB to 60GB is a safer minimum now to comfortably accommodate system files and installed applications.
• Select 'ext4' as the file system.

7. Create the /home Partition

Repeat the process to create the home partition.

• You can use the rest of the available space for this partition.
• Select 'ext4' as the file system.

8. Create the swap Partition (Optional)

If you want to create a dedicated swap partition, repeat the process one more time.

• The size should be equal to your RAM if you intend to use hibernation, or 4GB to 8GB for general use on systems with more than 8GB of RAM.
• Note: Pop!_OS uses a flexible **swap file* by default if you choose not to create a dedicated partition, which is often a simpler option.*

9. Apply Changes

Click on the green checkmark to apply the changes. This will format the drive and create the partitions.

10. Install Pop!_OS

Close GParted and open the Pop!_OS installer. When you get to the partitioning section, choose 'Custom (Advanced)'.

• Assign the mount points: Assign the mount points (/, /home) to the corresponding ext4 partitions.
• Designate Boot: Set the FAT32 partition (512 MiB) as the EFI System Partition.
• Set Swap: Set the swap partition's usage type to 'swap' (it does not get a mount point).

Please note that these steps are quite technical and a mistake could result in data loss. If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, consider seeking help from a professional.

Good luck! 😊