Should I switch to Linux if gaming is my main concern?
Asked by
MellowPine42
I'm considering moving from Windows 11 to Linux because I'm tired of the bloat and built-in AI features. I also haven't activated Windows and don't plan to. My biggest hesitation is gaming: I spend most of my time playing games, so I don't want to switch if several of my favorites won't work. I checked ProtonDB and most of my library is rated Gold or Platinum, but two games weren't listed. Should I be concerned, and would dual-booting be the safest way to try Linux first?
Answers
Since gaming is your priority, dual-booting is probably the best approach. Install Linux on a separate partition or drive, try your games, and keep Windows available for anything that refuses to work. Most Steam games work through Proton with little or no effort, though you may occasionally need to change Proton versions or apply a workaround.
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Linux gaming has improved a lot, but it isn’t completely seamless. Competitive games with strict anti-cheat are the most likely to be unavailable, and modding can take more effort than on Windows. Ordinary single-player and indie games generally work very well. If one of the missing games is essential, find out whether it uses unsupported anti-cheat before making the switch.
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You can also try Linux in a virtual machine or from a live USB to get familiar with the desktop, but virtual machines aren’t ideal for testing gaming performance. A real dual-boot installation will give you a much better answer. Pick a beginner-friendly gaming-focused distribution, keep backups, and expect a short learning curve while you get used to the new system.
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Check the two unlisted games by searching for their names alongside Linux, Proton, or Steam Deck. Not appearing on ProtonDB usually means nobody has submitted a report, not that the game definitely fails. The main warning sign is multiplayer games with kernel-level anti-cheat or anti-cheat that deliberately blocks Linux. For those, also check an anti-cheat compatibility database.
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MellowPine42: That sounds like the safest plan. I’d rather test everything before wiping Windows completely.