Not Game Reladed but i like to ask for some help

[Staur106]

Hello, i have seen Thro the years that there are really experianced and kind ppl here on forms so i have a queston and hopeing some of you might be able to help me make up my mind.

I still use win 10, but bin wondering about goin to Linux, but i have allways used windows, so big learning Curf from what i have heard, so my queston is what Version of linux wold you say i should check out, i mostly play games and in some cases i use the internet if you need more informason just ask and i will anser wen i can

[matthewfarmery]

I'm also on windows 10, windows 11 seems to be not the best OS now. And less said about the upcoming windows 12 which might be subscription based.

There are a few Linux distros to choose from. I'm not a Linux user yet. But I'm also thinking of switching, you can duel boot now, for gaming, people seem to recommend Linux mint. (edit) Zorin OS is also seems good for gaming) You can also use Rufus and create a bootable USB with mint, to try

https://rufus.ie/en/

I just downloaded that myself. the install instructions seem fairly easy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toitr9Jku60

So you can try it using your USB stick, before you jump in. But the latest version of mint does support duel booting option in the setup. Just make sure you give mint at around 100gig but can be smaller depending on preference. That with googling, others probably might have better ideas.

Other distro may depend on preference and other factors. But I have seen mint mentioned a lot. But there are a few to choose from. Also may depend on your system, and what driver support Linux might have with your hardware, hence using a USB to check before you make the push.

compare to zorin and mint.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtLdvzOXo5A

[Alan Phipps]

There's more here too.

[Chips]

Ubuntu was always the "go to" - but I'm way behind the times now. However, you used to be able to download and create a bootable memory stick to just "try". As in, boot into it and have a poke around to see how you "feel" about it.

You can likely do this with many variations; including the aforementioned Mint.

So Ubuntu, Mint... and any other recommendations - bootable disk and try it out.
Vid may help? Dunno https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXrCAC6bUsk

[jlehtone]

You can also use Rufus and create a bootable USB ...

Many distros do offer "images". Often referred to as "ISO" -- the format of data on CD/DVD (removable media).
The image can be copied to DVD or USB and then machine can be booted with that media.

Some images are for installation (just like MS Windows install media). They boot directly to installer.

Some images are "Live". They boot to OS that is installed to and runs from the DVD/USB.
That way one can "run Linux" a bit -- without touching the drives in the computer.
A Live image does probably have the installer as application, so one can start installation from the live session.


All the distros do not use the exact same format for the images.
Therefore, how the image is copied into USB does determine whether one can actually boot with that USB.

I have used distros, whose images the Rufus notoriously fails to copy correctly (at least with its default settings).
Therefore, one should seek and follow the instructions that the distro offers.


What distros are good for gaming? I have no idea. Some apparently include things like Steam client and
NVidia drivers in the default install. That is probably very convenient.

[burger1]

For linux and gaming you might want to look at compatibility and fps. You'll probably also want a desktop that at least looks like windows. Some of your peripherals might also not work/fully work.

Probably not linux mint. I like mint/cinnamon but don't game on it. There's also support for steam and other stuff to consider. You might want to try more than one distribution. Never used linux to game but there is a fps difference between distros.

If you download linux on windows you might have to use another program to make the usb. Installing linux on linux is easier.

Proton GE might be of interest for gaming.

CachyOS?

[burger1]

Probably try cachyos

If you have a nvidia gpu you'll probably want to upgrade to windows 11. Notable fps hit with nvidia cards.

If you have an amd card linux should be fine.

Linux might not work as well with ray tracing vs windows.

Linux might drop your fps if you are using a capture card which seems a bit odd.

See if the games you like run on linux due to anticheats.

Windows 10 can still upgrade to windows 11 for free as far as I know.

For linux you might need to use something like oracle vm as a sandbox. Bleachbit might also be of interest but you need to be careful or you can screw up the os/apps and in settings set stuff to overwrite vs just erase..

Neither windows nor linux will protect your privacy 100%. Your privacy will be gone pretty fast if not instantly just due to how stuff works tpm, other peoples computers/apps, hardware id, cross referencing stuff, etc... Use firefox , use https, in firefox web browser type about:config and in there you can try if you want to:

network.dns.disablePrefetch to true

network.prefetch-next to false

privacy.firstparty.isolate to true

privacy.resistFingerprinting to true

security.ssl3.rsa_des_ede3_sha to false

security.ssl.require_safe_negotiation to true

[matthewfarmery]

Probably try cachyos

If you have a nvidia gpu you'll probably want to upgrade to windows 11. Notable fps hit with nvidia cards.

If you have an amd card linux should be fine.

Linux might not work as well with ray tracing vs windows.

Linux might drop your fps if you are using a capture card which seems a bit odd.

See if the games you like run on linux due to anticheats.

Windows 10 can still upgrade to windows 11 for free as far as I know.

For linux you might need to use something like oracle vm as a sandbox. Bleachbit might also be of interest but you need to be careful or you can screw up the os/apps and in settings set stuff to overwrite vs just erase..

Neither windows nor linux will protect your privacy 100%. Your privacy will be gone pretty fast if not instantly just due to how stuff works tpm, other peoples computers/apps, hardware id, cross referencing stuff, etc... Use firefox , use https, in firefox web browser type about:config and in there you can try if you want to:

network.dns.disablePrefetch to true

network.prefetch-next to false

privacy.firstparty.isolate to true

privacy.resistFingerprinting to true

security.ssl3.rsa_des_ede3_sha to false

security.ssl.require_safe_negotiation to true

There are growing issues with windows 11, especially with its AI and co pilot. But the bigger issue is with windows 12. And that will NEED a NPU, (Neural Processing Unit with 40 TOPS min) And that means a new PC from the outset. While windows 11 will be supported until 2029. MS will want people to jump to their latest and greatest as soon as possible. And people aren't doing that. Sure you can still upgrade to windows 11. But right now, MS has released a lot of updates that have ended up breaking stuff, their most recent, to make third party backup obsolete, unless you roll back the update, as it flagged one driver as been potentially dangerous.
psmounterex.sys.

Windows 12 looks even less appealing now. windows 11 is still not something I would like to jump onboard. The AI crap and onedrive are key issues. Plus, the fact it still forces accounts to be online, cloud based. (I read somewhere that now might have changed?)

So MS is panicking, they are losing customers. And several EU countries are also moving to Linux.

So reality, its either move to windows 11, and deal with its bloatware, or move elsewhere. And the bloatware is another issue with window 11. So you can somewhat trim it, but from what I seen, next update, and those features will be turned on again.

So windows 12 is not an option. Even less attractive now. Especailly when they have abandoned many good working PCs for their crappy requirements. And this latest one is just to power their crappy AI which doesn't work, or people don't want. And MS has paid out billions to try and get it working. But people don't want an AI OS. Not this cloud based system which MS is forcing down people's throats.

In that regard, its either keep with MS if you want that slop, or move to Linux.

[Chips]

Nothing is published about windows 12, though rumours indicate it'd require chips from 2017 (intel) or 2018 (amd) to work. Meanwhile, Apple iphones from 2019 onwards can run latest iOS, and same with their laptops. Google's own Pixel's from 2021 can run latest android.

Point being, it's the industry way... criticise the goose, criticise the gander.

The psmounterex.sys critique requires some reading.

This intentional change of behavior is designed to protect devices against known vulnerabilities in the psmounterex.sys kernel driver. Following the installation of Windows updates released on or after April 14, 2026, Windows Code Integrity enforcement will block vulnerable versions of this driver from loading when the Microsoft vulnerable driver blocklist is enabled.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/top ... 3c1b1aa9d0

Ack, what's the point. The thread is about Linux. Somehow you've dragged it into your MS whinge; yes its filled with extra bloat and isn't great (when has it ever been?). Just install linux already and move on with your life; you may have less stress and more enjoyment rather than trying to find every little thing that's wrong with Windows.

For the OP - the link to the YT vid I provided did cover Linux flavours for gamers as well as others, coupled with why (which drivers are included/work out the box). There's obviously way more flavours, but it's hopefully a good starting point. Hopefully it'll prove useful with making the move

[Staur106]

There's more here too.

Thanks i will check it out, and thanks evreone for the informason and tips.