linux - Why do many people recommend manual partitioning when installing Ubuntu?

Question

When installing Ubuntu, many people recommend selecting more options during installation, and then manually partitioning swap, home, etc. Are there any disadvantages to directly selecting the default option for installation? I use the default options and there seems to be nothing wrong with them?

Answer 1

In terms of requirements and security:

Auto Partition

1. Virtual machine use, no special requirements for partitions

2. Beginners, try it out and be prepared to struggle again

Manual Partition

1. As far as I am concerned, I think the biggest reason for manual partitioning is data security; especially when using it on the desktop, it is easy to fail and never get up again. And if your home directory is a separate partition, you can reinstall and then hang the home directory back. You will neither lose data nor back up the data during reinstallation.

2. Consider the use of each partition. For example, if you install a lot of software, make the system directory larger, but if you have more data files, make the home directory larger.

To summarize, I think whether to manually partition depends on your own installation and usage needs. If you like to make small fuss, are more afraid of crashing and losing data, or have pure obsessive-compulsive disorder, then partition manually. If you don't want to pay attention to the size of which partition, if the home directory is divided into smaller sizes, you will either have to manually resize the partition or put the personal files in the system directory, then the partitions will be automatically done and they will be put together.

Of course, one thing is that the automatic partitioning of some distributions roughly divides the home directory and the system directory into two, each accounting for 50%. This is a bit tricky. Some distributions automatically partition, which is equivalent to having only one C drive in Windows, which is also quite good.

Answer 2

Because of two points:

1. Manual has greater certainty. You know what results you're going to get, rather than being disappointed later when you find out it's not what you expected.

2. Meet more diverse needs. You know how big /home and swap you need, and what partition format is more suitable for you.

If the above two points are not met, automatic partitioning is fine.

Answer 3

I have also been automatically partitioning, and there is nothing wrong with it. Maybe sometimes I want to divide it automatically.