I did just that with Windows 7 long past its support date. All my gaming was in Windows, all my work and everything else in Linux. You can do that in 10 too and in fact it will probably become easier for you after support ends, because there will be no new Windows Updates to trash your bootloader.

Edit: Don't run programs from ntfs drives, icky stuff can happen. Just reinstall your games in Linux when you play them there. Gaming is also really good in Linux now, I'm primarily a gamer and do it all in Linux!

simple windows 10 is not the best idea in some cases. its gonna cry and whine everyday about update, and sooner some of the launchers are going to ask for a newer version. if you are serious about 10 tho, i would recommend 10 ltsc, which is gonna give you plenty more years of security updates, and has a lot less bloat.

but not using it for any shopping etc where sensitive info is being transferred ?

Shopping is done through the browser so it won't matter what OS you're using. If you're concerned about security, Linux probably isn't doing you any favors.

Tip, if you go with dual booting, use the windows boot manager and not a linux bootloader. If you use a linux bootloader be prepared to have to fix it with a rescue disk every now and again since Windows will fuck it up with updates sometimes.

Sorry I'm here not to answer, but actually ask a question as I've recently-ish moved to Linux basically permanently and I plan on focusing a bit more on simracing in the future: what's the issue with Linux? Is it peripherals like steering wheel lacking drivers?

Been through the same situation. Find a distro that you like, any decently user friendly distro will handle setting up the dual boot for you.

No need to reinstall games etc, just make sure you partition has enough storage for linux and pick that part during the install.

After that start slowly transitioning your games to linux. In steam toggle the compatibility setting, this will try to run proton over your games. Then only boot into windows when its necessary for VR/online games.

You CAN but it's a matter of time before you'll have to upgrade to 11 or go 100% Linux because drivers and game clients eventually stop supporting EoL operating systems.

Absolutely yes. You'd be better buying a dedicated PC for Linux tho.

t. Got a Orange pi 5 MAX with Linux installed. It's tricky to set up, but worths a lot in the end (low power usage while providing a decent performance -- can be used as a "mini server" to host your own personal file server or anything else you'd like while providing a smooth experience for anything your job may require from it.)

That's what I'm going to do. My main game is Elite Dangerous and between VR, HOSAS, a future IR Track, and all the helper programs Linux just doesn't keep up. As we approach October the gaming rig is going to be isolated. Looks like I'll be learning how to make subnets to wall it off completely.

I see a couple of other comments reccomending exfat; I've had problems with exfat with both the Steam flatpak and the Steam system package. Exfat does not support linux symlinks which are needed for some if not most Steam games to work properly. You will have to re-install your games onto an ext4 or linux-friendly filesystem, for Steam at least.

Emulation and GOG is a different story though. I have both on an exfat drive and I can access and play them with both windows and linux.

In terms of security, you will be at a slight risk using an unsupported os in the future. But hey, some people I know are still on Windows 7, so it isn't a huge risk. As long as you practice basic computer hygene and have an antivirus running (windows defender (easy), malwarebytes (secure), or clamAV (open source) are decent picks) you'll be fine.

Would it be possible or safe to keep gaming on win 10 until it's totally not supported, but not using it for any shopping etc where sensitive info is being transferred ?

That's how many of us upgraded to Linux.