How Can I Switch to Linux Without Working USB Ports?

The safest beginner-friendly approach is to download a Linux installer image, verify it, and write it to a USB drive. If the computer has a working DVD drive, a bootable DVD is another option. Installing from a separate internal-drive partition is technically possible, but it is complicated and risky for someone unfamiliar with partitions and bootloaders, so I would not recommend starting there.

Linux can sometimes run Windows software through compatibility tools such as Wine, Proton, or gaming launchers based on them, but .exe files do not run natively. Steam support is often good for many games, while Epic Games and games with certain anti-cheat systems can be inconsistent. Check the specific games before switching, and consider testing Linux from a live environment first.

Before planning the Linux installation, troubleshoot the USB problem first. A working keyboard, mouse, and installation device are extremely useful, and the issue could be Windows drivers, damaged ports, or a hardware connection. If the ports are physically connected to the motherboard, test those as well as the case ports. Without solving this, installation and recovery will be much harder.

You may be able to install Linux without USB by using an existing disk partition or a network-based installer, but those methods are much easier to get wrong and can leave the computer unable to boot. Fixing or borrowing a USB adapter, expansion card, or another computer to create installation media is a much more practical solution. Back up important files before attempting any operating-system change.