MX Linux Forum

despite being fairly experienced with mx, i have been unable to figure out how to setup a single username account that will utilize a usb drive as home for multiple LTS mx versions (mx21, mx23) on multiple computers.

for example, when i logout out of the mx default startup user to lin, then i would like all data to be routed to&from a common /home/lin location on the usb.
ideally user lin could\would be given admin rights to run synaptic and other conveniences. of course, i may not not have identical applications on all computers, but i try to stick with xfce when available.

also interested in extending this method to antiX and ventoy if possible, but avoiding any special\different parameters needed to launch linux on each computer.

(yes, have searched this form and enjoyed many of the dolphin and staempunk videos)

Moved to help, as there is not a tip or trick shared.

a2z wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 5:27 pm home for multiple LTS mx versions (mx21, mx23) on multiple computers.

This is highly not recommended with Xfce. The MX dev's repeatedly have said the Xfce config files differ based upon version. You could do this with TDE, but that causes other issues (things like sudo).

utilize a usb drive

Why not just use a Live USB? It'd plug into any computer you want to use?

@Michael-IDA told you correctly. But also, because USB drives are not permanently attached. It's fine to keep your common personal files somewhere other than in /home/USER/. Finally, you also need a reliable backup plan for those personal files. All storage media WILL suffer damage and/or die, usually without warning. The alligator tears that you won't have to shed will be yours.

thanks for the replies.
given this is unfeasible, i guess one somewhat of a consolation would be a handy mx tool to move a given user home elsewhere (another partition or usb).
but it seems a lot of mx users also would like such a feature for a long time, so not unique. i will try to submit that wish in another section.

there were 2 reasons i was hoping hoping for this, rather than live usb
a. to take advantage of speed when the computer is much higher spec'd...currently my range of machines is >10 years wide. i have commonly picked up old laptops, installed mx, used them for some short time, then given them away.
b. the home usb would be a single source of data w/out needing complex sync'ing, and thus easy to backup itself elsewhere.

One method that is very close to what it sounds like your after is to create a regular home when installing, and then symlink all of the home data folders you want some place else.

Exp: I have several machines where I have the standard install on nvme1 Then, I have a "Data" folder on nvme2, and link link as follows:
~/Documents symlink to /nvme2/Data/Documents
~/Pictures symlink to /nvme2/Data/Pictures
~/Videos symlink to /nvme2/Data/Videos

etc ..

On several client machines, I have this setup on their USB Stick, ( Which is what they boot from), and then all data is actually on the hard drive.

As well, I have several people that do this in reverse - Boot from hard drive and all data is on their usb stick. ( with a versioned backup that takes place to backup the stick - since they carry this back and forth between office(s) & home.)

a2z wrote: ↑Sat Apr 12, 2025 9:30 am b. the home usb would be a single source of data w/out needing complex sync'ing, and thus easy to backup itself elsewhere.

CharlesV wrote: ↑Sat Apr 12, 2025 10:12 am One method that is very close to what it sounds like your after is to create a regular home when installing, and then symlink all of the home data folders you want some place else.

Boot from hard drive and all data is on their usb stick.

With just a bit of scripting you can have the best of both worlds that also allows easy backing up of user 'work' files.

On each machine:
- Create a "data" dir (/home/user/data)
- Change the defaults for Documents etc. to the data dir (/home/user/data/Documents)
- Add a script to symlink /home/user/data to the USB data dir
- Copy/Backup the USB data dir where ever you want

You could get fancier with autostart and what not, but I think that should do what you want?

Best,
Michael

yes, the 'reverse' process mentioned by chalesV seems to be very close.
currently, the variety of mx file managers generate a symlink to the user default folders on the hard drive, which is the opposite of what i need to setup. (e.g.,, i need a symlink pointing AWAY from
/user/home/lin/documents, not back TOWARDS it as target)
am guessing easily fixable ownership settings also have to be done....possibly as a single common user name with admin rights everywhere.
if i understand correctly, symlinks to the standard folders (documents, downloads, music, videos, ...) on a usb should not impact xfce or other admin\config settings on any given computer.

thus, i effectively can make a common data usb by setting up symlinks only once per each booted linux , and not needing any scripts.
i assume some mild error thrown if usb not found , or if mounting errors occur during use.