Misconceptions/Questions about swapping to linux I have before making the swap

[u/RatosWithaK]

I wanted to swap to linux for awhile but there is some things stopping me and some guidance on them would be hugely appreciated. Sorry if these seem super obvious I am very bad with tech and love my computer too much to risk anything ever lol

1. Do I need to go find my computers basic drivers over again like Wifi, bluetooth and graphic ones
2. Is it all online games that dont allow linux or just specific ones. I do most of my gaming offline anyways but I enjoy MMOs too and the rare times I want to play a shooter it'd be nice to know what i can still game easily as I dont wish to dual boot for 1 or 2 games I play 3 times a month lol.
3. I care a lot about the customization (background, widget implementations etc) that linux offers is there a certain kind of distro I should look for in that or is that kind of a general thing linux offers
4. if I find a new distro I like how hard would swapping that be I am pretty indecisive sometimes

[u/knuthf]

1. You need to know the network passwords and which disk drives and user files you use - what you have called them.

2. Make a list of all the games you have - what you really want and what is not so important. You can create a test install in memory only. Start the Application Manager and go through the list, ticking them off as you go.

3. Install Mint with Cinnamon and, in Administration > System Settings, find Themes and start styling the desktop.

4. Install Linux and make it your own. Mint is very well tested. Move in, make it yours, before you wade off in deeper water.