I use Linux Mint as my main operating system because it feels lighter and I rarely need Windows outside of gaming. However, some games—especially The Sims 3 and possibly RimWorld—have given me trouble under Linux. My Linux installation is on an external drive, while Windows remains on the internal drive, and I can choose between them when the computer starts. Should I install all my Steam games on Windows, or keep Linux-compatible games on Linux and reserve Windows for games that do not work properly? Both drives have plenty of storage. I would also appreciate suggestions for making Windows boot faster, since I plan to disable or remove unnecessary startup programs and software.
4 Answers
Use Linux for the games that run well there, and treat games with persistent compatibility problems as Windows-only. There is no need to move your entire library to Windows just because a few titles, such as The Sims 3, behave poorly through Proton or other compatibility tools. Testing each game and keeping the troublesome ones on Windows is a sensible approach.
For faster Windows startup, review the Startup Apps section in Task Manager, uninstall software you do not use, and check whether unnecessary vendor utilities are launching with the system. Keep essential drivers and security tools enabled. Also make sure Windows is installed on the internal SSD if possible; booting an operating system from an external drive will usually be slower.
If you want to experiment with sharing installations, a Btrfs setup may offer options for accessing game storage from both systems, but it is more complicated and is not guaranteed to work with every title or launcher. For a straightforward dual-boot system, separate libraries are usually the least frustrating choice.
Be careful about sharing a Steam library through an NTFS partition between both operating systems. Some games work, but Linux can run into permission, case-sensitivity, launcher, or compatibility issues. A separate Linux-formatted partition for Linux games and a Windows-formatted installation for Windows games is generally more reliable.
That matches my experience. I have had a few games work from NTFS, but the results are inconsistent, so I am going to test them individually and keep anything troublesome on Windows.