I've used Windows my entire life and I'm 19, but I'd like to try Linux. My main goals are playing games—including Windows games I already own—and using common everyday applications. I'm not looking for an extremely advanced or experimental setup yet. Which distribution would be easiest to install, beginner-friendly, and still highly customizable?
4 Answers
For the easiest transition, look at Linux Mint or Ubuntu. They’re beginner-friendly, well documented, and easy to customize later. Download the ISO from the official website, write it to a USB drive with Rufus or Balena Etcher, boot from the USB, and run the installer. You can try the live environment first without changing your current Windows installation.
Windows games usually run through Steam Proton or compatibility tools such as Wine, Bottles, or Heroic. Native Steam games are generally the simplest. Games installed as Windows executables may need extra setup, and some multiplayer titles with strict anti-cheat won’t work properly on Linux, so check compatibility for the games you actually play.
If gaming is the priority, Nobara or Bazzite are worth considering because they include gaming-focused tweaks. Mint can also work well, especially with Steam and Proton. Just remember to check whether your favorite games, anti-cheat systems, and everyday apps are compatible before switching completely. Keeping Windows in a dual-boot setup at first can be a good safety net.
Garuda is highly customizable and has a gaming-oriented edition, but it may be more than a first-time user needs. Linux From Scratch is even more customizable, but it’s a learning project rather than a practical beginner installation. For your stated goals, start with Mint, Ubuntu, Nobara, or Bazzite instead.
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