Preparing the installation of 24.04 on a dual boot system

[Michel Frey]

During the last time I updated the operating system, the actual update didn`t work. As there was no valuable data contained in the installation, I wasn`t forced to update and ended up with a new installation. This hasn`t changed, so I think this time I will again perform a new installation, right? I have prepared a boot stick from the 24.04 iso image. I would like to follow the installation procedure described here. My question is, if in step 5 I have to choose "replace a partition" and select the one with the existing Kubuntu 22.04 (I want to replace 22.04 by 24.04).
Is there anything else I need to know in order not to mess up anything with the windows installation on a different partition? What would you need to know about my system to be able to answer that?
Thanks, Michel

[Michel Frey]

In case you suspect I am inexperienced with maintaining a Linux system you are absolutely right. Therefore I am especially grateful for hints on do`s and don`ts regarding all this grub and UEFI stuff, that seems to be clear for everyone, but I am very afraid of choosing the wrong option somewhere in the installation process and this way wrecking the whole thing.

[oshunluvr]

Hopefully, someone will reply that has UEFI knowledge unlike me, but if you were already dual booting successfully with 22.04, you shouldn't have any problems installing a new release over the old one. Just be sure you know with zero doubt which partition is your Linux partition and you will be fine.

On the other hand, just because you had an issue with the previous upgrade attempt doesn't mean it won't work this time. It certainly won't hurt to try.

Either way, have any data you don't want to lose backed up.

[Qqmike]

I can't say that I can tell you anything definitive re your specific question.
Your previous issue had to do with graphics drivers. And you are dual-booting Windows. Two things I know nothing about, really.

In theory, if Windows is already present and booting, you should already have an ESP set up, a EFI System Partition, that holds the Windows boot loader files and it holds your Kubuntu bootloader files.
And so, when you install a new Kubuntu, it should also use that existing ESP for its bootloader files. And that should not hurt Windows bootloader files.

However, after installing ANY OS now, when you re-boot your computer, THAT OS will boot first.
It should present you with a boot menu from which you can boot into either your new Kubuntu OS or boot into your existing Windows.

I have never used Step 5. I always just use the Manual steps as they explain in your link.
But ... it looks like it will do what you intend to do: install the new Kubuntu root system over the old Kubuntu root system; but, as I say, I've never done it.

It might help some helpers if you post your partitions. Like,
sudo fdisk -lu
(that's the letter "ell" as in "lucky").
We don't need to see all the Loop devices that might print out.
Just your existing partitions.

[Qqmike]

Just to add one (obvious) comment: The installer should give you the option of cancelling before you click the "go" button to perform the actual installation.
I can't recall exactly what that looks like in the new Calamares installer.
But that would be one way to go through the installer steps, have a real good look at it, then make you go/no-go decision.

[Qqmike]

Oh, yes, and make sure you back up all your user data. You didn't mention that you are using a separate "/home" partition or not ...
You don't want to overwrite and kill your user data -- files, photos, etc.!