Is the live Linux USB necessary if I decide to not bother backing up? I’d like to keep some files but they’e not essential - if it’s less hassle Ill wipe and make peace with losing my files

I don’t have an older brother, but it does sound like a prank one of my roommates would play lol

Two of my roommates were in the house and could have accessed it if I had forgotten to lock it, I’ll ask them