I'm considering wiping my PC and installing Linux from scratch. I want more freedom and customization than Windows 11 offers, but I still need to play games such as RimWorld and Touhou Project titles. I'm not familiar with Linux yet, and I'm worried about making a mistake or regretting the switch and ending up with an unusable computer. I'll have an external drive for important files. What should I check and prepare before switching, and what is the safest way to try Linux first?
4 Answers
Before wiping Windows, make a proper backup—not just of documents, but also browser data, password-manager exports, game saves, recovery codes, installers, and anything stored only on the PC. Confirm that the backup can actually be opened from another computer. If you may ever reinstall Windows, check its activation status and tie the license to your Microsoft account if appropriate. Most OEM licenses are stored in the computer’s firmware or linked to the hardware, but having that information documented is still useful. You can also create a Windows recovery or installation USB before replacing the system.
For a first installation, use the distribution’s normal graphical installer and accept the default partitioning options. You don’t need to format the drive manually beforehand; the installer can do that, but carefully verify that it has selected the correct disk. Keep the installation USB and Windows recovery media available until you’re certain everything works. Linux can use several filesystems, but there’s no need to make the setup complicated at the beginning. If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, be prepared to follow the distribution’s driver instructions and consider using snapshots or backups so you can roll back after a bad update.
Start by researching your everyday applications, games, and hardware. Windows programs and games vary widely in compatibility, so check whether your important software has a Linux version or a workable alternative. For Steam games, look them up on ProtonDB and pay attention to reports for your specific hardware. Also search your computer and peripherals by model to check Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touchpads, fingerprint readers, graphics cards, and other compatibility concerns. Once you know Linux fits your needs, choose a mainstream beginner-friendly distribution such as Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Fedora, or Debian rather than jumping straight into something advanced.
The safest progression is to try Linux in a virtual machine first, then boot a live USB, and only install it after that. A virtual machine lets you explore the desktop without changing your system, although graphics performance will be limited. A live USB runs Linux from memory and lets you test real hardware without installing anything. You can then decide whether to dual-boot alongside Windows or replace Windows entirely. There’s no completely foolproof process, so take it slowly and keep a backup before touching the disk.
Remember that a live session resets when you reboot, so it’s mainly for testing hardware and the desktop. A virtual machine is better for experimenting with settings and applications.