Has Anyone Installed Linux Without a Desktop Environment?

Absolutely, I've set up systems without a DE on numerous occasions. It used to be pretty common before desktop environments became mainstream. You might feel a bit overwhelmed by residue from the DE, but I assure you, it's often not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. If you can handle the basics, you're going to find that a lot of the "leftover" junk just sits there. You can always free up your space with proper partitioning or just a clean install, especially if you're moving from Windows where you'd notice the difference in space.

Yes, I've installed both Arch and Debian without any desktop environment. It’s the true minimalist approach! A lot of people do it with Arch since that’s the heart of its philosophy. If you take on a headless installation of Debian, you'll end up setting everything up just how you like it. I started with i3 and now use Sway. Just remember, DEs handle a lot of tasks behind the scenes—so be ready for some troubleshooting when doing things manually.

Honestly, it’s quite common to install Linux without a desktop environment, especially if you're leaning towards configurations that suit your specific needs. Many manage to do it successfully, and you'll find tools and guides out there if you search for it—just ensure you understand each command you input. Setting it all up can be a bit of work, but it's definitely rewarding in the end!