I recently replaced the SSD in my gaming PC, so the computer now has a fresh Windows 11 installation while the old SSD is still available. I want to try Linux, probably Ubuntu or Linux Mint, because I'm tired of Microsoft and don't play games that require aggressive anti-cheat software. Before replacing Windows, I mainly want to confirm that Discord, voice audio, and a fairly recent multiplayer game called Big Walk work properly.
My plan was to put the old SSD in a USB enclosure, install Linux on it, and boot from that drive whenever I want to test it. My boyfriend thinks I should instead shrink the new SSD and create a Linux partition for dual booting. I'm not very experienced with this yet, and I'd rather avoid changing the new Windows installation until I'm confident Linux will meet my needs. Does either approach make a significant difference, and are there any other beginner-friendly options or distro recommendations?
4 Answers
Using the old SSD in a USB enclosure is a perfectly reasonable approach, especially if you want to test Linux for several days without touching your Windows drive. Your settings and installed programs will persist between reboots, unlike a temporary live USB. It may be somewhat slower for gaming over USB, but it should be good enough for checking Discord, audio, and general compatibility.
It sounds like there may be some confusion about what “partitioning” means. Installing Linux on a separate drive still involves partitions on that drive, but it doesn’t require shrinking the Windows SSD. Dual booting from the same SSD is convenient, but it adds complexity with bootloaders, firmware settings, encryption, and possible Windows updates. For a first test, a separate drive is simpler and easier to undo.
You can also boot the Linux installer as a live USB and try the desktop without installing anything. Just remember that changes normally disappear when you shut down. For a proper test installation, the old SSD is the safer choice. Install Linux’s bootloader to that drive and select it from the BIOS boot menu; if you decide not to continue, switch back to the Windows drive and it should remain untouched.
Before installing, check the game’s compatibility on ProtonDB and verify whether its multiplayer system or anti-cheat works on Linux. Discord itself generally works, but individual games can vary. Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, and gaming-focused distributions such as Bazzite are all worth considering; the best choice depends on your hardware and whether you want a traditional desktop or a more gaming-oriented setup. If you eventually install Linux internally, back up important files and double-check the target drive so you don’t accidentally overwrite Windows.
That’s basically what I was hoping to do. Keeping Linux on the old drive means I can experiment without risking the new Windows installation.