01

Why This Happens

Understanding the root cause helps you fix it faster. Here are the most common causes:

🐌

Windows 11 Performance Issues

Bloated system processes, background telemetry, and unnecessary services consume resources

🔍

Privacy Concerns

Windows collects extensive user data including browsing habits, app usage, and system metrics

💰

Forced Microsoft Services

Pre-installed apps, OneDrive integration, and Microsoft account requirements

🎮

Gaming Performance Bottlenecks

DirectX overhead and Windows background processes can reduce frame rates

⚡ Fastest Path

Dual Boot Linux Mint in 15 Minutes

Keep Windows 11 for compatibility while testing Linux Mint on the same system

📁 Create Linux Mint USB installer → Shrink Windows partition → Install Linux Mint alongside Windows → Test gaming performance

Start with dual booting to evaluate Linux without losing Windows access

02

Step-by-Step Solutions

1
✓ Easy

Install Linux Mint for Gaming

Linux Mint offers the best balance of user-friendliness and gaming performance for Windows converts

  • 1 Download Linux Mint Cinnamon edition from official website
  • 2 Create bootable USB using Rufus on Windows
  • 3 Boot from USB and select 'Install Linux Mint'
  • 4 Choose 'Install alongside Windows' for dual boot
  • 5 Allocate at least 50GB for Linux partition
  • 6 Select 'Install third-party software' for graphics drivers
  • 7 Complete installation and restart
💻 Update System After Installation
> sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y > sudo apt install build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)
💡

Pro Tips

💾 Backup Windows data before partitioning
🔌 Keep laptop plugged in during installation
Success Rate:
95%
2
◐ Medium

Enable Steam Proton for Windows Games

Access your entire Steam library on Linux with Proton compatibility layer

  • 1 Install Steam through Software Manager
  • 2 Go to Steam > Settings > Steam Play
  • 3 Check 'Enable Steam Play for all other titles'
  • 4 Select Proton Experimental from dropdown
  • 5 Restart Steam client
  • 6 Install games normally - they'll run transparently
  • 7 Use ProtonDB website to check game compatibility
💻 Install Steam via Terminal
> sudo apt install steam-installer > steam
💡

Pro Tips

🎮 90% of Steam games work perfectly with Proton
⚡ Enable Vulkan support for better performance
Success Rate:
90%
3
◐ Medium

Install Gaming GPU Drivers

Optimize graphics performance with proper GPU drivers

  • 1 Open Driver Manager from Mint menu
  • 2 Wait for system to detect hardware
  • 3 Select recommended proprietary driver for NVIDIA
  • 4 Or choose latest Mesa drivers for AMD
  • 5 Click 'Apply Changes' and wait for installation
  • 6 Reboot system to activate drivers
  • 7 Verify installation with 'nvidia-smi' or 'glxinfo'
💻 Check GPU Driver Status
> lspci -k | grep -A 2 -E '(VGA|3D)' > glxinfo | grep 'OpenGL renderer'
💡

Pro Tips

🚀 Proprietary NVIDIA drivers offer 15-20% better performance
🔧 AMD GPUs work excellently with open-source drivers

⚠️ Warning: Always reboot after installing graphics drivers

Success Rate:
88%
4
✓ Easy

Install Gaming Platforms

Set up all major gaming platforms on Linux

  • 1 Install Lutris for Epic Games, Battle.net, and GOG
  • 2 Add Flathub repository for flatpak apps
  • 3 Install Heroic Launcher for Epic Games Store
  • 4 Set up RetroArch for emulation
  • 5 Install Discord for communication
  • 6 Configure OBS for streaming if needed
  • 7 Install MangoHUD for performance monitoring
💻 Install Essential Gaming Tools
> sudo apt install lutris > flatpak install flathub com.heroicgameslauncher.hgl
💡

Pro Tips

🎯 Lutris handles 95% of non-Steam game installations
📊 MangoHUD shows FPS, temps, and usage in-game
Success Rate:
92%
5
⚠ Advanced

Optimize System for Gaming

Fine-tune Linux for maximum gaming performance

  • 1 Install CPU performance governor: 'sudo apt install cpufrequtils'
  • 2 Set governor to performance: 'echo performance | sudo tee /sys/devices/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_governor'
  • 3 Disable unnecessary services: 'sudo systemctl disable bluetooth' (if not needed)
  • 4 Install gamemode: 'sudo apt install gamemode'
  • 5 Configure swappiness to 10: 'echo 'vm.swappiness=10' | sudo tee -a /etc/sysctl.conf'
  • 6 Enable ACO shader compiler for AMD: export RADV_PERFTEST=aco
  • 7 Install Feral GameMode for automatic optimizations
💻 Performance Optimization Commands
> sudo apt install gamemode libgamemode0 libgamemodeauto0 > echo 'vm.swappiness=10' | sudo tee -a /etc/sysctl.conf
💡

Pro Tips

⚡ GameMode can boost FPS by 5-15% automatically
🧠 Lower swappiness prevents RAM swapping during gaming

⚠️ Warning: Advanced tweaks require terminal knowledge

Success Rate:
85%
6
◐ Medium

Migrate Your Data Safely

Transfer documents, saves, and settings from Windows

  • 1 Mount Windows partition in Linux Mint
  • 2 Copy Documents, Pictures, Music folders to home directory
  • 3 Locate game saves in AppData folders
  • 4 Transfer Steam saves through Steam Cloud automatically
  • 5 Use Steam's 'Add Non-Steam Game' for Windows-only titles
  • 6 Import browser bookmarks via sync
  • 7 Configure cloud storage for automatic backups
💻 Access Windows Partition
> sudo mkdir /media/windows > sudo mount /dev/sdXY /media/windows
💡

Pro Tips

☁️ Steam Cloud syncs saves automatically between OS
📁 Keep Windows partition mounted for easy file access
Success Rate:
98%
7
✓ Easy

Essential Software Alternatives

Replace Windows software with Linux equivalents

  • 1 Office: Install LibreOffice (pre-installed) or use Google Docs
  • 2 Photoshop: Use GIMP or Krita for image editing
  • 3 Discord: Install native Linux version
  • 4 Spotify: Use web version or install via flatpak
  • 5 Zoom: Download official Linux client
  • 6 TeamViewer: Install from official website
  • 7 VLC: Install for media playback
💻 Install Common Applications
> sudo apt install gimp krita vlc > flatpak install flathub com.discordapp.Discord
💡

Pro Tips

🔄 Most Windows apps have Linux versions or alternatives
🌐 Web apps work identically on Linux
Success Rate:
100%
8
◐ Medium

Create System Restore Point

Backup your Linux installation for easy recovery

  • 1 Install Timeshift from Software Manager
  • 2 Launch Timeshift and select RSYNC mode
  • 3 Choose system partition for snapshots
  • 4 Set snapshot levels to weekly and monthly
  • 5 Create first snapshot immediately
  • 6 Store snapshots on separate drive if possible
  • 7 Test restore process to verify it works
💻 Install Timeshift via Terminal
> sudo apt install timeshift > sudo timeshift --create --comments 'Initial installation snapshot'
💡

Pro Tips

💾 Snapshots can restore system in 5 minutes if issues occur
🔒 Always snapshot before major system changes
Success Rate:
93%
03

Quick Diagnosis Flowchart

Current Windows 11 user
Want to try Linux risk-free?
Create dual boot with Linux Mint
Gaming performance satisfactory?
Install Steam and enable Proton
All games working?
Fully migrate to Linux
Enjoy faster, private computing
04

Quick Reference Summary

🎯
#1 Fix
Dual Boot Linux Mint Installation
⏱️
45 minutes
Average Fix Time
💻
All PCs with 4GB+ RAM and 50GB storage
Compatible
🔧
8
Total Solutions
🛡️

Prevention Tips

💾 Always backup Windows data before partitioning
🔍 Check ProtonDB for specific game compatibility
🔋 Keep laptop plugged in during GPU driver updates
📊 Monitor system resources to identify bottlenecks
05

Frequently Asked Questions

Will all my Steam games work on Linux?

▼

Approximately 90% of Steam games work perfectly through Proton. Check ProtonDB.com for specific game ratings. Anti-cheat protected games may require additional configuration.

Is Linux really faster than Windows 11 for gaming?

▼

Linux can provide 5-15% better performance in many games due to lower system overhead, especially on older hardware. However, some Windows-specific optimizations may not translate.

What about Microsoft Office and Adobe software?

▼

LibreOffice handles most Office documents well. For Adobe software, use GIMP/Krita for images, DaVinci Resolve for video editing, and Inkscape for vectors. Many Adobe apps also work through Wine.

Can I still play multiplayer games with friends on Windows?

▼

Yes, most multiplayer games work perfectly through Proton. Games with aggressive anti-cheat (Valorant, some competitive shooters) may require workarounds or dual booting.

How difficult is Linux to maintain compared to Windows?

▼

Linux Mint requires less maintenance than Windows - no forced updates, no antivirus needed, and updates rarely break anything. Most maintenance is automated.

06

Quick Fix Checklist

Use this checklist to systematically troubleshoot:

Progress 0 / 10 completed

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Last Updated: Dec 12, 2025

Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux Mint 21+, Ubuntu 22.04+, Pop!_OS

Software linux gaming windows-11