I'm thinking about replacing Windows with Linux, but none of my USB ports seem to work and I don't know much about operating systems, drivers, or installation tools. I mainly use my computer for gaming through Steam, Epic Games, and downloaded installers, many of which use .exe files. Can Linux run those programs, and is there a safe way to install Linux without creating a bootable USB drive?
4 Answers
The safest installation methods are a bootable USB drive or, on an older computer with an optical drive, a bootable DVD. If you have neither, repair the USB ports or use another computer to prepare the installer. Downloading an ISO and trying to boot it from an internal hard-drive partition is possible, but it is not a good first project when you are new to Linux.
You should also test Linux before fully replacing Windows if possible. Try a beginner-oriented distribution in a virtual machine or on a spare drive, and make sure your important files are backed up. That gives you a chance to check your graphics, Wi-Fi, audio, and games before committing to the installation.
It can work, but the process is easier to break than using USB or DVD. I’d treat it as a backup option after fixing the ports and making a complete backup.
Before planning the Linux installation, troubleshoot the USB problem first. A working keyboard, mouse, and installation drive are extremely useful, and the ports may be disabled, missing drivers, or physically damaged. If the ports are connected through internal cables, check those as well. Installing Linux through an internal partition is technically possible, but it is much less beginner-friendly and can leave the machine unbootable if something goes wrong.
For gaming, Linux can run many Windows games through Steam Proton, and Wine-based tools such as Lutris can sometimes run other Windows applications. However, compatibility varies. Steam is generally the easiest option, while Epic Games and random .exe installers can require extra setup or may not work properly. A Windows .exe does not normally run directly on Linux.
I’ve seen guides that install Linux from a hard-drive partition, so I was hoping that would work here.