How can I install Linux in an external storage(HDD) while retaining the stored old data?

I’m a newbie & I want to install the Linux(mint) on my HDD that I’m currently using as external storage. But the thing is that, I just swapped out this HDD from my laptop & put an SSD on its place, and installed fresh Windows on that(SSD). So now, can I install Linux on it while retaining all my personal data, as well as the previous Windows C drive data? If so.. how can I do that? Would it conflict with the Windows NTFS file system?