From the C: to the /Mnt/s, Linux is better than ever for PC gaming – and easier to switch to from Windows
A long-time Windows user recently made the switch to Linux (specifically CachyOS), documenting their transition from Windows 11 to an open-source gaming platform. The move was prompted by growing frustrations with Windows 11, including Microsoft’s increasingly prominent AI features and unexplained system slowdowns—issues that previously would have motivated a Windows reinstall, a pattern the author had followed since Windows Vista.
Inspired by Joshua Wolens from PC Gamer who had already made the leap to Linux, the author decided to follow suit and explore what the open-source gaming ecosystem had to offer. The article serves as both a personal account of the transition and a practical guide for other Windows users considering a similar move.
The timing reflects a broader shift in PC gaming toward Linux viability. The platform has become increasingly practical for gaming through improvements in compatibility layers like Proton (which enables Windows games to run on Linux), a growing library of native Linux titles, and better hardware support. The article emphasizes that switching to Linux for gaming is now more straightforward than ever, suggesting that barriers to entry have lowered considerably. This aligns with Valve’s efforts through Proton and the Steam Deck in normalizing Linux gaming for broader audiences.