Want a clean Fedora installation without touching your existing OS? This guide walks you through installing Fedora 41 on its own disk, ensuring full isolation and bootloader control.
What “Separate Disk” and “Standalone” Mean
Separate Disk: Fedora will be installed on a dedicated disk that will be formatted — back up any data first.
Standalone: No other OS (like Windows) should be connected during installation. This ensures GRUB installs only on the Fedora disk.
If your PC has Windows, disconnect its disk before starting. After Fedora is installed, reconnect it — you’ll be able to switch between systems via BIOS/UEFI or the boot menu.
Prepare Your Installation Media
Create a Fedora 41 Bootable USB Drive Use Rufus or a similar tool. (Refer to linked article if needed.)
Boot from the USB Drive Insert the USB, restart your PC, and access BIOS/UEFI. Set boot priority to USB or use the boot menu to select it.
Start Fedora Installation
On boot, select Start Fedora Workstation. To verify media integrity, choose Test this media & Start Fedora Workstation.
You can explore Fedora first or click Install Fedora. If you chose “Not Now,” click Install to Hard Drive later.
Configure Localization
Choose your language and click Continue.
Under Localization, set your keyboard layout and time zone, then click Done.
Partition the Disk
In the System section, click Installation Destination.
Disks appear as sda, sdb, nvme0n1, etc.
Select the disk for Fedora installation.
Fedora defaults to Btrfs as its file system.
Option 1: Automatic Partitioning
Choose Automatic under Storage Configuration.
Click Done, then Begin Installation.
Option 2: Manual Partitioning
Choose Custom, then click Done.
Delete existing partitions using the minus icon.
Recommended Layouts:
Non-GPT Disk: Root (/) + optional Swap.
GPT Disk: Add EFI or BIOS Boot partition depending on boot mode.
Swap Guidelines:
Optional. Fedora defaults to a swap file.
If creating a swap partition, size it equal to your RAM (or double if RAM is low).
Manual Partitioning Steps
If using Standard Partition instead of Btrfs:
EFI Partition
Mount point: boot/efi
Set size and click Add Mount Point
Root Partition
Mount point: /
Choose size and click Add Mount Point
Swap Partition (optional)
Mount point: swap
Set size and click Add Mount Point
You can adjust file system types from the right-hand panel.
Click Done, review your layout, and click Accept Changes.
Final Setup
Click Begin Installation and wait for completion.
Click Finish Installation, then restart your system.
After reboot:
Click Start Setup
Disable location and problem reporting if preferred
Enable third-party repositories
Enter your name, username, and password
Click Start Using Fedora Linux
Installing Fedora on a separate disk gives you full control and avoids bootloader conflicts. Enjoy your fresh Fedora 41 environment with confidence and flexibility.