Partitioning Options Explained
Recommended layouts
Size guidance
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EFI: 512 MiB covers multiple kernels + fallback initramfs forever.
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Root: 40+ GB comfortable for years of pacman history; 25 GB workable with cache hygiene (Freeing Disk Space Safely).
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Swap: hibernation wants ≥ RAM; otherwise zram wins (Performance Tuning).
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Leave ~10 GB unpartitioned if you want the ACRECOVERY partition later (it’s optional — The AcreetionOS Recovery Environment).
Filesystem choice
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ext4 — boring excellence, default, zero surprises. Choose unless you have an opinion.
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btrfs — instant snapshots via Timeshift BTRFS mode, transparent compression (
compress=zstd). Slightly more concepts; guide: Btrfs Management.
Manual mode mechanics (Calamares)
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Select free space → Create: set size, filesystem, mount point per table above.
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Existing ESP? Set its mount point
/boot/efiand DO NOT format. -
Existing Linux swap reused as-is; existing NTFS just left alone (Windows!).
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Re-check summary screen before Apply.
Dual-boot placement notes
Windows already owns the ESP — reuse it (don’t format!). Details woven through Installing Alongside Windows.
Changing your mind later
Partitions grow/shrink via GParted from live media; snapshots don’t protect partition tables, so backup anything precious before surgery.