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A linux gamer asks, "How do I install windows for just one game?" (piefed.blahaj.zone)
submitted 4 months ago by to c/linux_gaming@lemmy.world
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There is a game I am considering getting; it has been out for a few months now, and the devs are specifically blocking it from running under proton with a Kernel Level Anticheat which specifically blocks linux.

Folks on the discussion boards made the point tht it is technically possible to install windows for just one steam game, so I am looking for a guide on how to do that?

I've heard that if you don't activate windows, you can still use it, and if you get the LSTC (?) Version of windows, it is not so annoying.

Does anyone have a guide for how to install windows alongside linux for one game?

If we have a discussion in the comments about whether it is tactically appropriate to give money to a game corporation that requires windows, i guess we can, but i would rather learn how to install windows in the least annoying way possible.

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[–] 4 points 4 months ago (7 children)

This is what I do, just a spare nvme drive thrown in an external enclosure. Rufus has an option called “windows to go” that installs the iso as opposed to making a bootable installer, and it gives an option to block Windows from overwriting local disks to avoid the boot loader issues too. Has worked quite well up until a point recently where it just refused to boot anymore with an unhelpful error despite not having been touched in months. No updates or changes since it worked before. Good ol windows…

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  • [–] 4 points 4 months ago* (2 children)

    just a spare nvme drive thrown in an external enclosure

    A spare NVME? In this economy?

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  • [–] 2 points 4 months ago

    Hah, I had written then deleted a part because the comment was already pretty long saying it almost has the same energy as “my spare yacht” at the moment. Reaaaally glad I had the foresight/luck with timing I did on keeping components around. Can’t wait for some bubbles to burst

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  • [–] 2 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    I was installing Win10 Pro to a SSD that I would stick in an external case. Would work, for a while, but eventually would get an error and would be unable to boot, or repair it. Windows seems to be designed to know when it's installed on an external drive, and to hose itself out of spite. I gave up after the fourth time, resigned to the fact I just had to find an alternative CAD software package that I could access from Linux.

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  • [–] 2 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    Interesting. I suppose I’ll see if it happens again, luckily not too big a deal as Windows was more a convenience for a couple utilities I use, already found a Linux friendly way for one of them thanks to it borking itself recently. If they’re intentionally doing that and giving me an excuse to rid myself entirely of Windows, I guess I won’t complain too much ahaha. I just chalked it up to the usual Windows shenanigans

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  • [–] 1 point 4 months ago

    Windows knows when it's on an external drive. The installer would insist Windows could only be installed on an internal drive, so I would have to swap out one of the SSD's on the motherboard with the drive I intended to use. After it was done, I'd switch it out to an external case with a USB-C connection. Might boot up a dozen times, more or less, then crap out. At least it never did anything to screw up the Linux drives, but they're ext4 formatted, so Windows won't recognize them.

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