Hello, Windows 10 user of about a year now. I would like to switch to Linux (Ubuntu or Debian), but have a couple of questions.

  1. Is there a way to play steam games designed for Windows on Linux?/What are the drawbacks of doing this?
  2. Is there a way to transfer files from my old OS to the new one without using external drives (i dont have one ;-;)
  3. Is there a distro more suited to a Windows user going into linux rehab?
  4. Is there anything else I should be aware of?

TIA as always comrades and good day.

  • Optimus_Subprime [he/him, they/them]
    ·
    11 months ago
      1. Yes. Steam comes with Proton baked into it. Here are the instructions to enable it in Steam: https://itsfoss.com/steam-play/. The main drawbacks are games with anti-cheat systems in them. So you can't play Fornite, Overwatch, Apex Legends, etc. CS:GO has a direct port for Linux so it's good without Steam and Proton.
      1. There are ways to access a Windows partition on Linux, one of which is called Samba which has to be setup, while some flavors of Linux, like Knoppix can already read Windows out of the box. Just depends on how much time you want to spend and whether or not you want to learn how to set some things up.
      1. Linux Mint. It is a version of Ubuntu, which one of the easier distros to learn Linux.
      1. Be prepared to learn. Unlike Windows, not everything is "ready to go". Some assembly may be required. And be prepared to "read the friendly manual" or website/webpage or watch a youtube vid.
    • PorkrollPosadist [he/him, they/them]
      ·
      11 months ago

      Samba specifically is for accessing (or serving) Windows network shares (directories primarily, but some other resources like printers as well). This only helps if you have Windows and Linux running on separate machines at the same time.

      • Optimus_Subprime [he/him, they/them]
        ·
        11 months ago

        I was thinking that if the OP was using Ubuntu and hooked up the Windows drive/partition, then maybe you could create the share.

        But no you're correct, unfornately. Hence, why I mentioned Knoppix.