I'm finally planning to move from Windows 10 to Linux, mainly because support is ending and I don't want to upgrade to Windows 11. I'm completely new to Linux, and a friend recommended Bazzite because it's difficult to break accidentally and comes with useful gaming features already configured.
My main uses will be playing Steam games, using Roll20 and Discord for roleplaying, and watching YouTube. I'm not very comfortable with coding or command-line tools, so I'd prefer something beginner-friendly that doesn't require constant terminal work. Would Bazzite be a good choice, or should I start with Linux Mint, Fedora KDE, or another distribution?
4 Answers
Before switching completely, check your favorite games on ProtonDB. Most Steam games work well, but some multiplayer titles with kernel-level anti-cheat may not run on Linux. Roll20, Discord, YouTube, and similar browser-based activities should be fine. If you have one or two games that are essential and incompatible, keeping a small Windows dual-boot installation could be worthwhile.
Bazzite is a strong option for your use case, especially if gaming is important. It comes preconfigured with gaming-focused tools and has a Windows-like desktop, so you can get started without doing much setup. Its immutable design also makes many accidental system changes harder, though it’s still possible to cause problems if you blindly run commands with administrator privileges.
Linux Mint is probably the gentlest transition from Windows. It has a familiar desktop, straightforward software management, and lots of beginner documentation. Gaming works well through Steam and Proton, although Bazzite may provide a smoother gaming setup out of the box. Mint is a good choice if you want a general-purpose desktop rather than something centered around gaming.
Fedora KDE is another good middle ground. It feels familiar to a Windows user, has newer software than Mint, and works well for gaming and everyday tasks. Bazzite is still perfectly usable as a normal desktop, but its specialized design can be less flexible if you later want to customize the system in unusual ways.
That’s the main thing to remember: immutability adds protection, but no operating system can prevent every mistake. You should still understand commands before running them.