Considering Linux 2025

[Huntn]

Brought from another thread:

I only play older games like Fallout 76, WoW Classic, DayZ, 7 Days to Die, etc., and I don't need Windows for those. I got tired of spending hours of time "de-crapping" and tweaking it. Then there's the drivers, configuring the display driver, etc... No thanks. I just installed Linux. Everything I need works out of the box and all my games run fine with Steam or Lutris. Even anti-cheat works fine. I tried Windows again last week but I hated it and went back to Linux after 2 hours.

I’m not a Windows apologist, I used to have a specific hate relationship with it because of the tending required to keep it running, and also had a love/hate relationship with my Mac because while I love the OS to death, I hated the restrictions it put on my Gaming, and it’s price tag which originally drove me to Windows. Today I’m running Windows 11, and for this and Windows 10 I’ve had no real issues. Of note, I do have an anti-virus and regularly run a utility, and make CDrive images (old habit for unexpected calamity) on it on a regular basis that cleans out junk and fixes things that it detects. I say this now while remembering back in the 1990s where clean installs was a fairly routine procedure on a Windows box.

I’m currently looking at this Chris Titus utility and if I gain enough confidence, I might actually turn off some things. More significantly if I felt I could switch to Linux and run primarily my Steam games, GoG games and such, and it was not an overly complex thing to accomplish, I would consider doing this.

But I’ll be Frank, as long as I’m comfortably ensconced in Windows without issues, it will likely take a calamity to motivate me to take the time and effort to make this switch. Some questions:

• I assume Steam installs on Linux and bt default allSteam games run on Linux? Or in a Linux Steam install some games absent?
• What about most Game Centers: Epic, GOG, Rockstar, etc?
• I’ve got multiple drives, with games and files all over, I assume these things would all be recognized by Linux.But my impression, if outside of Windows, these would require reinstalls with Linux compatible versions.
• How about basic files, like mod files/installs, zip files, updates, content files- would these things be recognized by Linux intact, or would they become gibberish?
• Some games will take special treatment like World of Warships. https://www.addictivetips.com/ubuntu-linux-tips/world-of-warships-linux/
• What’s the down side as compared to Windows? 🤔

 

[kaioshade]

Brought from another thread:

I’m not a Windows apologist, I used to have a specific hate relationship with it because of the tending required to keep it running, and also had a love/hate relationship with my Mac because while I love the OS to death, I hated the restrictions it put on my Gaming, and it’s price tag which originally drove me to Windows. Today I’m running Windows 11, and for this and Windows 10 I’ve had no real issues. Of note, I do have an anti-virus and regularly run a utility, and make CDrive images (old habit for unexpected calamity) on it on a regular basis that cleans out junk and fixes things that it detects. I say this now while remembering back in the 1990s where clean installs was a fairly routine procedure on a Windows box.

I’m currently looking at this Chris Titus utility and if I gain enough confidence, I might actually turn off some things. More significantly if I felt I could switch to Linux and run primarily my Steam games, GoG games and such, and it was not an overly complex thing to accomplish, I would consider doing this.

But I’ll be Frank, as long as I’m comfortably ensconced in Windows without issues, it will likely take a calamity to motivate me to take the time and effort to make this switch. Some questions:

• I assume Steam installs on Linux and bt default allSteam games run on Linux? Or in a Linux Steam install some games absent?
• What about most Game Centers: Epic, GOG, Rockstar, etc?
• I’ve got multiple drives, with games and files all over, I assume these things would all be recognized by Linux.But my impression, if outside of Windows, these would require reinstalls with Linux compatible versions.
• How about basic files, like mod files/installs, zip files, updates, content files- would these things be recognized by Linux intact, or would they become gibberish?
• Some games will take special treatment like World of Warships. https://www.addictivetips.com/ubuntu-linux-tips/world-of-warships-linux/
• What’s the down side as compared to Windows? 🤔

1. Depending on your distro (just about any current one), Steam will be a package ready to install from any package manager. in the event it is not, and your distro is compatible with deb or rpm packages, installing steam is still pretty easy via terminal.

2. For other game launchers, there is Lutris to use them, or other alternative launchers,(such as heroic launcher for Epic, Prime and GOG)

3. Steam can usually point it's library to another drive and see the games. It may force a file verification though, but the handful of times I tried it, there were no issues.

4. Mods are hit or miss, some of them have installers that are windows dependent. And other ones, such as dll replacements, you may have to dig a bit to replace them manually instead of getting a script to do it for you.

5. Some games will need some special attention, others will outright not work(Like Valorant, due to it's anti cheat system)

6. Down side is you will have to be willing to troubleshoot issues that will inevitably arise, and while many things work out of the box with minimal tinkering/fuss, there will be some things that will test your patience. And sometimes brand new games will not work until some proton patches hit.

I use Linux for my main gaming machine, and have no intention to go back to Windows, but it is not for everyone, especially if you do't want to do the occasional digging.

 

[maflynn]

Games with rootkit anti-cheats generally won't work, take a look at https://www.protondb.com/ that will show what will run on linux

I think you'll need to be prepared to tweak/mess with the system to get some of the games either to work, or play optimally. Its definitely not a "it just works" mentality.

I think for pure gaming experience either stick with windows, or get a steamdeck (which is limited to steam). Valve has done a great job at hiding the linux underpinnings and made the experience quite seamless. There is no need for tweaks or configuration changes with the steam deck - at least I'm told that (I don't actually own one)

 

[salamanderjuice]

Games with rootkit anti-cheats generally won't work, take a look at https://www.protondb.com/ that will show what will run on linux

I think you'll need to be prepared to tweak/mess with the system to get some of the games either to work, or play optimally. Its definitely not a "it just works" mentality.

I think for pure gaming experience either stick with windows, or get a steamdeck (which is limited to steam). Valve has done a great job at hiding the linux underpinnings and made the experience quite seamless. There is no need for tweaks or configuration changes with the steam deck - at least I'm told that (I don't actually own one)

Steam Deck is NOT limited to Steam. Obviously it's configured and designed with Steam in mind but games from other launchers can be made to work.

The Steam Deck has a desktop mode and in there you can easily install Lutris or Heroic to get games from other launchers. They can even add the game to Steam so you can launch it from handheld mode.

There is still some need for tweaks if you go outside the Steam Deck Playable or Verified list. A lot of "unsupported" Steam ames work fine with alternative Proton versions because of things like missing patent encumbered video codecs that Valve doesn't include in theirs. It's typically not hard, you just grab a new Proton GE or whatever version and swap the game to that in a menu. Rarely takes something more to work.

Windows 10/11 has it's own share of Windows games that need effort to run properly too. Generally older games like Red Alert 2 or Jedi Knight. These will run fine on SteamOS usually!

One downside of Linux gaming not talked about is that game support is some what GPU vendor specific. AMD tends to be the most compatible. Intel had issues for awhile with DX12 games although they seem to have fixed in later kernels from my testing. Nvidia is mostly okay.

 

[Queen6]

@Huntn have you considered Windows 11 LTSC? It's a bare bones version of Windows from MS. While designed for embedded devices it can be set up on a desktop and you will need to add apps like the MS Store etc.

This might be an easier solution than Linux as will be 100% compatible with all games and doesn't have all the junk included in the standard releases. LTSC is just literally Windows nothing else, just the core OS

LTSC hardware requirements are minimal, which only further illustrates just how crooked Microsoft is with its excessive demands for W11...

While I'd like to move to Linux it would likely result in some level of compromise. On that one I still need to dig deeper as I want to run KDE Plasma 6 DTE on Fedora or Ubuntu... Currently DL Fedora KDE Plasma Desktop 42 as have read this release incorporates Plasma 6 versus Kbuntu 24.04 (Ubuntu) which currently ships with Plasma 5.27.11.

Costs nothing to look at the live image/ISO

Q-6

 

[Huntn]

@Huntn have you considered Windows 11 LTSC? It's a bare bones version of Windows from MS. While designed for embedded devices it can be set up on a desktop and you will need to add apps like the MS Store etc.

This might be an easier solution than Linux as will be 100% compatible with all games and doesn't have all the junk included in the standard releases. LTSC is just literally Windows nothing else, just the core OS

LTSC hardware requirements are minimal, which only further illustrates just how crooked Microsoft is with its excessive demands for W11...

While I'd like to move to Linux it would likely result in some level of compromise. On that one I still need to dig deeper as I want to run KDE Plasma 6 DTE on Fedora or Ubuntu... Currently DL Fedora KDE Plasma Desktop 42 as have read this release incorporates Plasma 6 versus Kbuntu 24.04 (Ubuntu) which currently ships with Plasma 5.27.11.

Costs nothing to look at the live image/ISO

Q-6

I will look at this! I didn’t even know it existed…🤔 MSStore… as far as I know I’ve never used it, oh wait, maybe when I was messing more with the Oculus Rift.

 

[turbineseaplane]

...have you considered Windows 11 LTSC? It's a bare bones version of Windows from MS. While designed for embedded devices it can be set up on a desktop and you will need to add apps like the MS Store etc.

Thank you for mentioning this.
After watching a couple videos, I think I'm going to go with Win10 LTSC for a MinPC I'm setting up for an aging relative.

I may even use it myself in the future.
People are running MSFS 2024 on it just fine!!

 

[diamond.g]

I will look at this! I didn’t even know it existed…🤔 MSStore… as far as I know I’ve never used it, oh wait, maybe when I was messing more with the Oculus Rift.

If you use the xbox app (for game pass PC) then you need the Windows Store app.

 

[Queen6]

If you use the xbox app (for game pass PC) then you need the Windows Store app.

@Huntn & @turbineseaplane MS store can be installed on LTSC as can any other app. If needing Windows for a specific application or gaming LTSC makes a lot of sense. Right now, I don't want to mess with the primary W11 or the W10 tablet PC as they are set up and debloated with telemetry cut.

Next primary looking to LTSC or better still Linux with KDE and rid myself of Microsoft for good. I dropped MS Office both privately & professionally well over a decade ago with no issues or regrets. MS Excel has the advantage of numerous plugins that can save time, equally with a little resourcefulness I've yet to be defeated with LibreOffice.

Just need the time...

Only downside if Linux serves my needs, it's also likely to end my long association with the Mac...

Q-6

 

[Huntn]

If you use the xbox app (for game pass PC) then you need the Windows Store app.

I use an actual XBox 360 infrequently, however I do run Minecraft infrequently these days on my PC, which now requires a MS sign in. Would that require the Windows Store App? Just to clarify, the MSStore is an App that can be added?

 

[Huntn]

@Huntn & @turbineseaplane MS store can be installed on LTSC as can any other app. If needing Windows for a specific application or gaming LTSC makes a lot of sense. Right now, I don't want to mess with the primary W11 or the W10 tablet PC as they are set up and debloated with telemetry cut.

Next primary looking to LTSC or better still Linux with KDE and rid myself of Microsoft for good. I dropped MS Office both privately & professionally well over a decade ago with no issues or regrets. MS Excel has the advantage of numerous plugins that can save time, equally with a little resourcefulness I've yet to be defeated with LibreOffice.

Just need the time...
View attachment 2521157
Only downside if Linux serves my needs, it's also likely to end my long association with the Mac...

Q-6

My consideration is that I have a stable W11 install, a utility that keeps it cleaned up (not the Chris Titus Utility) and it would likely be an event requiring a clean install to motivate me to go though the effort of starting over with this, but it would certainly be a consideration.

 

[Huntn]

@Huntn have you considered Windows 11 LTSC? It's a bare bones version of Windows from MS. While designed for embedded devices it can be set up on a desktop and you will need to add apps like the MS Store etc.

This might be an easier solution than Linux as will be 100% compatible with all games and doesn't have all the junk included in the standard releases. LTSC is just literally Windows nothing else, just the core OS

LTSC hardware requirements are minimal, which only further illustrates just how crooked Microsoft is with its excessive demands for W11...

While I'd like to move to Linux it would likely result in some level of compromise. On that one I still need to dig deeper as I want to run KDE Plasma 6 DTE on Fedora or Ubuntu... Currently DL Fedora KDE Plasma Desktop 42 as have read this release incorporates Plasma 6 versus Kbuntu 24.04 (Ubuntu) which currently ships with Plasma 5.27.11.

Costs nothing to look at the live image/ISO

Q-6

Besides having to add an app or two, I wonder if there could be any other down side, adding complications to a primary gaming computer?

 

[diamond.g]

I use an actual XBox 360 infrequently, however I do run Minecraft infrequently these days on my PC, which now requires a MS sign in. Would that require the Windows Store App? Just to clarify, the MSStore is an App that can be added?

The internet says wsreset -i to install the store on LTSC systems. I think the new launcher ("universal") is a Windows Store App but am not positive.

 

[Queen6]

Besides having to add an app or two, I wonder if there could be any other down side, adding complications to a primary gaming computer?

Not that I'm aware as LTSC is Windows sans garbage...

Q-6

 

[dmccloud]

Besides having to add an app or two, I wonder if there could be any other down side, adding complications to a primary gaming computer?

I have a secondary Windows machine I might try LTSC on as a test bed. That way my main Windows PC is still operating as expected. That is probably the easiest way to determine whether there are any additional considerations to be had.

 

[Regulus67]

This looks like a great solution 👍.
Never heard about LTSC Windows versions before. I have Windows 10, but if GoG and Steam drop support. This might be a great solution. But I am also hoping SteamOS will be possible.

I am not interested in building a PC for gaming. And will continue using a Mac Pro 7,1.
Even got an AMD RX 7900 XTX card, for Windows games that need better than the MPX cards.

 

[diamond.g]

Is everyone just using LTSC unactivated?

 

[Queen6]

Is everyone just using LTSC unactivated?

There's a link in the YT I posted where you can purchase a license.

Q-6

 

[salamanderjuice]

There's a link in the YT I posted where you can purchase a license.

Q-6

You have to be careful. I don't believe there are retail LTSC licenses, only corporate. Possible to get revoked or run into other issues since you're buying a seat on some "corporation"'s license.

 

[Queen6]

You have to be careful. I don't believe there are retail LTSC licenses, only corporate. Possible to get revoked or run into other issues since you're buying a seat on some "corporation"'s license.

Then I'd be "careful" ultimately, I'd prefer to not use an MS operating system as it's become far too intrusive and will only get worse. Even LTSC you have manually cut telemetry...

Q-6

 

[Huntn]

I have a secondary Windows machine I might try LTSC on as a test bed. That way my main Windows PC is still operating as expected. That is probably the easiest way to determine whether there are any additional considerations to be had.

I report is alway appreciated.

 

[kaioshade]

Besides having to add an app or two, I wonder if there could be any other down side, adding complications to a primary gaming computer?

The biggest downside to running a LTSC build of Windows would be the lack of feature updates. You would get all the security updates, but let's say something like, DirectStorage 2.0 comes out, LTSC will most likely not get it, and any games that would require it would not function. However I am not aware of any games that will outright not work with some of Windows 11's proprietary technologies. So you will most likely be fine.

 

[dmccloud]

You have to be careful. I don't believe there are retail LTSC licenses, only corporate. Possible to get revoked or run into other issues since you're buying a seat on some "corporation"'s license.

The website who sponsored at least one of the two videos linked to earlier in the thread is legit. There are several well-known content creators in the PC gaming/building space who use them and will vouch for their legitimacy. I have also had good luck with that website as well.

 

[throAU]

Not sure LTSC is actually legal unless you have an enterprise agreement.

It is not available to non-enterprise customers from Microsoft.

The website who sponsored at least one of the two videos linked to earlier in the thread is legit. There are several well-known content creators in the PC gaming/building space who use them and will vouch for their legitimacy. I have also had good luck with that website as well.

Doesn't mean anything, every other youtube channel is pushing illicit cd keys, half of them were pushing Honey, etc.

And yes, LTSC is aimed at embedded stuff, you won't get feature updates; there's a good chance that end user focused things will not work down the line due to missing components.

And really... what are you trying to do here? If windows is annoying enough: get off. There are options!

 

[Regulus67]

I tried to install Win 11 LTSC on a Mac Pro 2019, using bootcamp. Only one attempt so far, but Windows boot install had an error.
So I wiped the bootcamp partition. Will try again