Linux on a Surface Pro?

JessBUrself

JessBUrself

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Hey! My Microsoft Surface Pro 3 just came back to life and I was wondering if it's possible for me to put linux on it and still use the touch screen. Whatever they've got on there(Windows 11) sucks and slows the machine right down. Any thoughts? Recommendations?
 


Pick a distribution, I suggest one of the Mints, or MX-AHS to start with, and run them in a live {test] mode then check if all components work ok, Linux has inbuilt drivers for many touch screens [ok I admit not all] but you can only really know by testing
 
Brickwizard said:
Pick a distribution, I suggest one of the Mints, or MX-AHS to start with, and run them in a live {test] mode then check if all components work ok, Linux has inbuilt drivers for many touch screens [ok I admit not all] but you can only really know by testing
Click to expand...
Ohh! How do I do that? Do I have to make a USB to boot from?
 
yes, pick a distribution, download to a working PC/lappy, then use a clean good quality USB of at least 4gb and write the download as a bootable iso using Rufus [for windows] or Balena-etcher [on a Linux machine].
Then disable both windows quick-start and secure boot in the BIOS/UEFI do a full power re-boot [not using the windows restart] turn off the machine, put the usb with the ISO in the primary usb port [usually the nearest to the power supply]
  • Press and hold the volume-down button on the Surface. While you're doing this, press and release the power button.
  • The Microsoft or Surface logo appears on your screen. Continue to hold the volume-down button. Release the button when spinning dots appear beneath the logo.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to boot from your USB drive.
  • [MS copywrite]
 
Brickwizard said:
yes, pick a distribution, download to a working PC/lappy, then use a clean good quality USB of at least 4gb and write the download as a bootable iso using Rufus [for windows] or Balena-etcher [on a Linux machine].
Then disable both windows quick-start and secure boot in the BIOS/UEFI do a full power re-boot [not using the windows restart] turn off the machine, put the usb with the ISO in the primary usb port [usually the nearest to the power supply]
  • Press and hold the volume-down button on the Surface. While you're doing this, press and release the power button.
  • The Microsoft or Surface logo appears on your screen. Continue to hold the volume-down button. Release the button when spinning dots appear beneath the logo.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to boot from your USB drive.
  • [MS copywrite]
Click to expand...
I'll need to get a USB then. Tried with an old one and the computer didn't even "see" it. Probably just too old. Thanks for the help!
 
JessBUrself said:
Tried with an old one and the computer didn't even "see" it.
Click to expand...
I am not too familiar with Surface Pro, but there are instances where it is not seen until you go through the routeen in my last post
 
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