Skip to main content

Switching from Windows to Linux - A Practical Guide for Gamers

What You Need

  • External HDD (1TB+, depending on the size of your Windows system)
  • 2x USB sticks (4GB+)
  • A weekend afternoon
  • Coffee and or another drink of your choice

Step 1 - Back Up Windows

Your way back on case something went wrong.

Create a System Image

  • Download Rescuezilla and flash to USB stick using Balena Etcher
  • Boot from Rescuezilla USB and create a full image of your Windows system to external HDD
  • Test restore boot — confirm it works before proceeding

Back Up Personal Files

  • Documents, Pictures, Downloads, ...
  • Hidden config folders (.ssh, .gitconfig, dotfiles)
  • Password manager database (e.g. .kdbx)
  • Export browser bookmarks, or enable browser sync
  • Note down any software license keys

Already Safe — No Action Needed

  • Game saves → Steam Cloud
  • Code repos → Git remote

Step 2 - Prepare Linux USB

  • Download Bazzite ISO (pick the right variant for your GPU)
  • Flash to USB stick using Balena Etcher
  • Disable Secure Boot in BIOS ⚠️

Step 3 - Live Test (Zero Commitment)

  • Boot from Bazzite USB stick
  • Check WiFi, display, touchpad, sound
  • Test Steam, Discord, browser
  • Check ProtonDB for your games beforehand

Step 4 - Point of No Return

Only proceed when all of the following are green:

  • WiFi works
  • Steam works
  • Main apps work
  • Backup verified and tested

Step 5 - Install & Setup

  • Install Bazzite
  • Enable Steam Play for all titles in Steam settings
  • Install Proton-GE via ProtonPlus
  • Install apps via Flathub
  • Restore personal files from external HDD
  • Set SSH key permissions:
chmod 700 ~/.ssh
chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa

Useful Resources

You're done. Welcome to Linux. 🐧

No comments to display

Back to top