Should I Switch My Gaming and Programming Laptop from Windows to Linux?

Dual booting is a sensible way to test Linux before committing. Linux and Windows use separate partitions, so you’ll need enough disk space for both systems, but you normally don’t install two copies of every application. You would install the Linux versions of the programs you want to use in Linux; your Windows installation and its applications remain on the Windows partition. Back up important files first, and check Nvidia drivers and your most-played games before resizing partitions.

Check each game on ProtonDB to see whether it works through Steam Play/Proton and what fixes or launch options other players needed. Compatibility varies a lot, especially for multiplayer games using kernel-level anti-cheat. For a gaming-focused setup, Bazzite is worth considering, while Linux Mint or Fedora may feel more familiar and are also good choices for VS Code and general programming. I can’t help with installing pirated copies, but unofficial repacks are also more likely to fail because of missing dependencies, launchers, or DRM-related problems.

Mint is a comfortable starting point if you want a traditional desktop and easy access to development tools. Bazzite is more streamlined for gaming, while Fedora gives you a newer general-purpose system. Since you’re still learning programming, try your workflow in a live USB or virtual machine first, then dual boot if your hardware and applications work well.