I just bought my first computer, a Razer laptop with a SanDisk GX 7100 NVMe drive, but it doesn't have an operating system installed yet. My main goal is to mod GTA V so I can play as Spider-Man and impress my five-year-old. Is Windows the best choice for getting started, or would Linux work just as well? Should I install only one operating system or set up both?
2 Answers
Windows is probably the easiest option for this particular project. GTA V has strong native support through launchers like Epic Games, and most mods and modding tools are designed with Windows in mind. You can create a Windows installer USB using another device, boot the laptop from it, and install normally. Since that laptop almost certainly uses a 64-bit processor, choose the x64 version rather than ARM or x86.
Linux can run GTA V through compatibility tools, but modding is more complicated. ScriptHook and mods that depend on .NET or Visual C++ components may require extra setup with tools such as Wine or winetricks, and some advanced mods can be difficult to get working. A fresh setup can work if you follow the right instructions, but Windows will be much less frustrating for a first attempt. You can always try Linux later or dual-boot once you are comfortable.
Got it. I’m very new to this—my only previous experience was using a game editor and homebrewing a console. Is playing as Spider-Man generally a simple mod, or does it require all those extra tools?
Thanks! So I should download the latest Windows installer onto a USB drive from my phone or another computer, then boot the laptop from the USB? Is there any special format or folder structure I need?