I just bought a new computer and am considering switching from Windows to Linux because I'm unhappy with where Windows is heading. Gaming is my main use case, followed by learning to code, and CachyOS looks appealing based on what I've read. However, I'm thinking about dual-booting initially so I can transition gradually.
The computer has 1 TB of storage, and I might start by giving Linux around 100 GB. If I end up using Linux more often, can I safely resize the partitions later to give it additional space? Would it be better to keep the Linux root filesystem and home directory separate?
I also have games installed on the Windows partition. Can Steam on Linux use those existing installations, or would I generally need to download the games again? Are there any important concerns involving secure boot, drive encryption, hibernation, or shared NTFS partitions?
Finally, do VS Code and PyCharm work well on Linux, and what exactly is Hyprland? Is it just a visual customization layer, or does it control how application windows behave?
5 Answers
Before installing, check whether disk encryption and Secure Boot are enabled and read the distribution’s dual-boot instructions carefully. Windows updates can occasionally alter boot entries, and dual-boot systems can also run into clock or bootloader issues. Keep a recovery USB and backups available.
For gaming, check each title’s compatibility individually rather than assuming the whole library will work. Many games run well through Proton, but anti-cheat systems, launchers, and unsupported multiplayer features can still be exceptions.
VS Code has native Linux packages, and PyCharm also works well on Linux. You may need to install compilers, Python versions, SDKs, or other development dependencies yourself, but the editors themselves are straightforward to set up. Linux is also useful for becoming familiar with terminals, shells, package managers, and development tools.
For a first installation, KDE Plasma is probably a smoother choice than jumping directly into a highly customized setup. It is familiar to Windows users, flexible, and commonly used for gaming-oriented systems.
It’s best not to rely on one shared games partition between Windows and Linux at first. Steam can sometimes detect existing files, but Windows and Linux versions may use different Proton prefixes, shaders, launchers, or configuration files, so sharing a library can be unreliable. In practice, you may need to verify or redownload games, and a separate Linux-friendly library is usually less frustrating.
Also be careful with Windows Fast Startup and hibernation. They can leave NTFS partitions in a state that Linux should not modify safely. Disable those features if you need to access a Windows data partition from Linux, and keep backups of important files.
A 100 GB Linux partition is usually plenty for the operating system and development tools, but it can fill up quickly if you install games there. A common layout is a smaller root partition for the system, with a separate, larger /home partition for personal files, Steam libraries, and projects. Keeping them separate makes it easier to expand storage or reinstall the system without touching your personal data.
Linux filesystems can generally be expanded later, but the exact process depends on the partition layout. You’ll usually need to shrink the Windows partition from Windows first, then extend the Linux partition using the newly unallocated space. Back up anything important before resizing, and avoid trying to shrink the Windows filesystem from Linux.
Hyprland is a Wayland tiling window manager, not a complete desktop environment. It controls how application windows are arranged, moved, resized, focused, and sometimes animated. A tiling setup automatically organizes windows into layouts instead of treating them like freely positioned desktop objects.
Hyprland usually needs additional components for things such as panels, notifications, wallpaper, application launching, and settings, which is why it can require more configuration than KDE Plasma or GNOME. It can be fun once you understand Linux basics, but starting with a conventional desktop environment will make troubleshooting the dual-boot setup easier.
Is there a good way to learn more about separating the root filesystem from /home and expanding the home partition later?