arch-linux-install-migration-guide.md

How to safely migrate an Arch Linux installation

Warning

Make sure the CSM in the motherboard's UEFI is disabled.

Note

When using Ventoy, always select the grub2 option.

Backup the files

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Boot into a live Arch Linux system

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Partition the new drive

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Create the filesystems on the new drive

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Mount the old and new partitions

(old drive: /dev/sda, new drive: /dev/nvme0n1)

mkdir -vp /mnt/old_root /mnt/new_root /mnt/new_root/boot/efi

mount /dev/sda /mnt/old_root

mount /dev/nvme0n1p2 /mnt/new_root

mount /dev/nvme0n1p1 /mnt/new_root/boot/efi

Synchronize the files

rsync -qaHAXS /mnt/old_root /mnt/new_root

Regenerate fstab

genfstab -U /mnt/new_root >> /mnt/new_root/etc/fstab

Regenerate boot partition

arch-chroot /mnt/new_root /bin/bash

GRUB

grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/boot/efi --bootloader=GRUB

grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Change microcode setting

Change video drivers

Troubleshooting

Missing EFI vars when reinstalling GRUB inside arch chroot