Linux distributions Archives

Winsage

April 18, 2026

France has ditched Windows 11 for Linux on 2.5 million government PCs — here’s why Microsoft should worry that millions more could follow by the end of 2026

Dissatisfaction with Windows 11 is widespread, prompting the French government to transition from Windows to Linux for its computer systems, aiming for 'digital sovereignty.' French officials, including Minister David Amiel, emphasize the need to reduce reliance on American tools and regain control over digital infrastructure. The transition is mandated to be completed by fall 2026, with GendBuntu, a variant of Ubuntu, likely being adopted. Over 100,000 PCs currently run GendBuntu, and an additional 2.5 million government workstations will migrate from Windows. Other regions, such as Schleswig-Holstein in Germany and Denmark, are also moving away from Windows. Users have reported issues with Windows 11, leading to a backlash and prompting Microsoft to promise fixes. However, the effectiveness of these improvements remains uncertain, and if unresolved, users may increasingly consider alternatives like Linux or macOS. Microsoft has revamped its Windows Insider program to gather user feedback but lacks clarity on internal quality assurance improvements. The company's ability to regain user trust hinges on addressing ongoing concerns effectively.

Winsage

April 18, 2026

Linux promises freedom from Windows, but it demands something harder in return

The author has over two decades of experience with Linux, initially using it on a netbook during postgraduate studies. Linux is seen as a viable alternative to Windows, though its market share growth is slow. Recent gains in Linux's desktop market share are attributed to dissatisfaction with Windows, particularly due to unpopular AI features and disruptive updates from Microsoft. The increasing compatibility of Windows games with Linux has also helped. Linux addresses some issues associated with Windows, such as the absence of advertising and telemetry, and offers greater control over installations, which can improve performance on older hardware. However, users may face challenges with the variety of Linux distributions, leading to confusion and decision fatigue. Transitioning to Linux requires significant time and effort, as users must navigate a fragmented landscape without centralized support.

Winsage

April 16, 2026

Microsoft’s VP just reworked a Windows 11 feature to make it “comfortable” for macOS users — if they ever decide to switch

Microsoft, Apple, and various Linux distributions compete for user loyalty in the operating system market, with Microsoft leading through its Windows OS. PeekDesktop is a free utility developed by Scott Hanselman, allowing Windows users to hide open windows by clicking on the desktop, similar to a feature in macOS Sonoma. Early testing revealed issues, such as interference with emptying the Recycle Bin and the Task Manager not responding to clicks on the wallpaper. Hanselman noted that PeekDesktop was inspired by macOS features, aiming to help Apple users transition to Windows.

Winsage

April 13, 2026

Windows 11 no longer forces you to update the OS when setting up your PC

Microsoft has introduced a significant change to the out-of-box setup process for Windows 11, allowing new users to bypass the mandatory update phase that previously extended setup times by as much as 30 minutes. An "update later" button will now appear during setup, enabling users to access their desktops more quickly. This feature has been tested with select user groups and is now available to all users. Additionally, Microsoft is working on further modifications to the Windows Update system, including options to postpone updates indefinitely and reduce required restarts to once a month.

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

No, cracked versions of Resident Evil Requiem aren’t performing better than the official game — but there are still issues with DRM

Capcom's Resident Evil Requiem has sparked discussions about Denuvo DRM's effectiveness against piracy. Reports indicate that pirated versions of the game, cracked by the group 'voices38' using a Hypervisor Denuvo bypass, do not show significant performance advantages over the legitimate version. Unlike previous titles such as Assassin's Creed Origins, which improved performance after Denuvo removal, Requiem remains well-optimized without a Denuvo-less version. The history of Denuvo's impact on performance is mixed, with the recent Resident Evil 4 remake experiencing performance declines due to Enigma DRM, leading to its eventual removal by Capcom. Additionally, Denuvo can create accessibility issues for users on platforms like SteamOS, particularly when switching between Proton modes. Currently, players of Resident Evil Requiem can enjoy the game without performance disparities associated with pirated versions.

Winsage

April 8, 2026

“Wait, Windows uses less?”: I break down the surprising requirement that flips the Linux vs. Windows script

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, developed by Canonical, will be released on April 23, 2026, with updated desktop requirements of a 2GHz dual-core processor, 6GB of RAM, and 25GB of storage. Unlike Windows 11, which enforces strict minimum requirements, Ubuntu allows installation on lower-spec machines, though performance may be compromised. The new requirements reflect a shift away from supporting older hardware, as the operating system incorporates a modern desktop stack with updated GNOME components and Wayland support. Ubuntu's installer evaluates hardware capabilities but does not block installation on unsupported devices, contrasting with Windows 11's rigid installation process that requires specific hardware features like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.

Winsage

April 8, 2026

CachyOS is dethroning Windows at the one thing it owned for decades

Windows has historically been the dominant operating system for PC gaming, with Linux being less appealing due to a lack of developer support and compatibility issues. The introduction of Valve's Proton in 2018 transformed the Linux gaming experience by allowing Windows games to run on Linux without requiring developers to create separate versions. CachyOS, a Linux distribution, has emerged as a strong competitor to Windows 11, often outperforming it in gaming performance due to its specialized schedulers. However, certain games with specific anti-cheat mechanisms remain inaccessible on Linux, keeping Windows as the preferred choice for many popular titles. Despite this, the growing popularity of Linux distributions like CachyOS may lead to increased demand for Linux-compatible games and potential solutions for anti-cheat issues in the future.

Winsage

April 6, 2026

Linux gaming reaches 5.3% on Steam, Windows drops below 93%

The Linux gaming market share among Steam users has reached 5.3%, a historic high, coinciding with Windows usage dropping below 93%. Windows 10 usage has decreased by nearly 15%, while Windows 11 has gained only 10.6%. SteamOS Holo 64-bit is the leading Linux distribution, making up 25% of all Linux users, largely due to the popularity of the Steam Deck. macOS has gained 1.2% market share, indicating a shift in gaming preferences. Valve announced plans to expand SteamOS to desktop PCs, which may further boost Linux gaming adoption.

Winsage

April 3, 2026

Linux has gotten a 3% usage bump in a month, latest Steam hardware survey suggests – though, it’s still miles off Windows

Linux accounts for 5.33% of the Steam install base, reflecting an increase of 3.10% from the previous month. This marks a rise from 2.23% in February, with earlier figures of 3.38% in January, 3.58% in December, and 3.20% in November. Linux installations now surpass those of Mac but are significantly lower than Windows, which holds 92.33% of the market share, divided between Windows 11 at 66.85% and Windows 10 at 25.36%. The leading Linux distributions contributing to the March share include Arch Linux at 0.34%, Linux Mint 22.3, and Ubuntu Core 24.

Winsage

April 3, 2026

I switched to Linux and got tools that Windows users will never have pre-installed

Transitioning from Windows to Linux reveals a wealth of open-source software that enhances user experience. A key moment was switching from Fedora to openSUSE Tumbleweed, where Snapper, a snapshotting tool, was encountered. Snapper allows users to take snapshots of system files, enabling easy reversion to previous states without data loss. It automatically tracks significant changes, while Timeshift offers similar functionality in distributions like Linux Mint. KDE Plasma provides a fully customizable desktop environment, allowing users to personalize their experience with widgets, themes, and KDE applications. KDE Connect connects phones to Linux, enabling notification mirroring, file sharing, and media control, surpassing Microsoft's Phone Link. Linux package managers offer users significant control over their operating system, providing detailed information about downloads and dependencies. Although the command-line interface may seem intimidating initially, it becomes a preferred method for software management. Additionally, Linux distributions typically come with a wide range of high-quality applications pre-installed, enhancing the overall user experience.