I've grown really frustrated with Windows and their constant updates that sometimes even break my PC. I'm a gamer, so I realize that some Microsoft games won't be available, but I'd love some guidance on beginner-friendly Linux distributions. I'm looking for distros that work well with a variety of games and peripherals—nothing flashy, just something straightforward and functional, similar to Windows 7, which is the only version I enjoyed. Any suggestions to help me break free from Windows?
4 Answers
As an added note, KDE is highly customizable to look and feel however you want, even if you want something that resembles macOS. It's great for both beginners and seasoned users since it doesn't require you to mess with the terminal much to customize your experience.
You might want to try turning off Windows updates to avoid those issues. I recommend starting with Linux Mint Cinnamon for a very Windows-like experience, and if you feel adventurous, you could also dual boot it. Another great option is Zorin OS, which is user-friendly and has a similar look and feel to Windows.
Just a heads-up, some games with strict anti-cheat systems, like Valorant and Battlefield 6, might not work on Linux. For more info on how well specific games perform, check out ProtonDB and AreWeAntiCheatYet. They feature user reports that'll guide you.
You've got several options that are solid for gaming: 1) Linux Mint is quite stable; 2) Fedora (with KDE) has more up-to-date drivers; 3) Bazzite is gaming-centric but be cautious; 4) CachyOS is another gaming distro that uses KDE, and 5) Nobara could also work for you. If you're checking compatibility before switching, ProtonDB is a good resource.

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