I'm new to Linux and considering installing Linux Mint on my new PC because it looks fairly familiar to Windows. I'm not very technical, so I'd appreciate a beginner-friendly installation guide and advice on where to download Mint safely. I currently use Clipchamp and DaVinci Resolve for video editing, and I play games through Steam, Battle.net, Epic Games, and other platforms. How well would those work on Linux Mint? I also use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Teams—are there good alternatives or browser versions? Finally, if I install Linux, can I reinstall Windows later or set up a dual-boot system so I'm not locked into Linux?
4 Answers
Download Mint from the official Linux Mint website. A typical installation involves downloading the ISO, writing it to an 8GB-or-larger USB drive with Rufus or Balena Etcher, booting the PC from that USB, and following the installer. The boot-menu key varies by computer, but it is often F12, F2, Delete, Escape, or F8. Before installing, back up important files and confirm that your hardware, especially graphics and Wi-Fi, is supported.
Linux Mint can run DaVinci Resolve, but Clipchamp is a Microsoft app and does not have a native Linux version. Kdenlive is a popular alternative, and Blender can also handle video editing. For Microsoft apps, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Teams can be used through their web versions. LibreOffice and OnlyOffice can open and edit common Office files, although complex formatting may not always match perfectly.
Installing Linux does not permanently lock the PC to Linux. You can keep Windows and Linux in a dual-boot setup, or reinstall Windows later using a Windows installer USB. If gaming and Microsoft software are important, dual-booting is probably the safest approach: use Linux for everyday work and keep Windows for games or applications that do not work properly on Linux.
Gaming is very mixed. Steam games often work through Proton, but you should check each title on ProtonDB before switching. Single-player games usually have better compatibility, while online games with unsupported anti-cheat systems may not launch. For Epic and other non-Steam games, Heroic Games Launcher is commonly used. Battle.net support is also inconsistent, so check the specific games rather than assuming the whole platform will work.
That’s what worries me most—several of my favorite games apparently do not work because of anti-cheat, so I may need to keep Windows available.