No, you're not necessarily stuck with Windows. There are many operating systems available.
No, you're not necessarily stuck with Windows. There are many operating systems available.
MS pushed many of us to adopt their version 10, and they took one of my computers completely. I ended up needing a replacement since the Windows 7 key on the bottom couldn't be used anymore, as explained by the representative on the phone. They claim it's now a valid Windows 10 product key. Are they trying to pressure people into upgrading?
I understand your approach. Windows 7 offers a more advanced operating system that excels in key performance areas, especially regarding user experience. I plan to stick with Windows 7 until a superior alternative emerges. Windows 10 isn’t comparable in this regard.
Fedora offers a nearly ready-to-use method for vfio passthrough, enabling full graphics card assignment to virtual machines. You can watch introductory videos on the level1techs YouTube channel and access detailed guides in their forums. An alternative approach involves setting up a separate machine and using Steam Remote Play for gaming from home, which performs well with a strong connection.
Many people remember Windows XP users saying that with Windows you have no choice—Microsoft sets the standards. You might try sticking to version 7 and overlook its shortcomings, but eventually upgrading will be necessary to stay relevant against Microsoft and third-party changes. Windows XP is about to stop receiving support for Steam, and soon the same fate may fall on version 7. If it doesn’t suit you, it might be time to explore alternatives.
Check your game listings on lutris.net. If you don’t have a saved copy or prefer a fresh setup, install Linux Mint using the provided method. Download the installer from the link and follow the steps one at a time. Return to the games section, select your title, and click install. Lutris will launch and handle the installation, including the Wine manager. If everything works, you might not need to add DXVK separately—my experience shows it’s unnecessary. You can also run Windows alongside Mint without issues; just ensure Windows is installed first. After testing all your games, you can reinstall Mint and free up space for Linux and your applications. The Cinnamon desktop will feel familiar to Windows users—it blends features from both OS versions without the full Windows 10 interface. You’ll find settings and frequently used apps arranged similarly to Windows 7 or 10, with a search bar at the top for quick access. I enabled notifications on this topic and welcome any questions or further assistance.