If you're scared to pay and it won't work, do what I did to play on Linux: I copied whole installation from Windows 10 and to launch I use https://github.com/syncore/qclauncher
Sure, you need a friend or a VM with newer Windows to get the files from without the Bethesda Launcher, but for you it will be one-time test if the game works at all, then you can buy the Steam version safely.
Sure, you need a friend or a VM with newer Windows to get the files from without the Bethesda Launcher, but for you it will be one-time test if the game works at all, then you can buy the Steam version safely.