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Why people keep flocking to Linux in 2025 (and it's not just to escape Windows)
Winsage
November 28, 2025

Why people keep flocking to Linux in 2025 (and it’s not just to escape Windows)

The Linux desktop has seen a rise in popularity, attributed to user distrust in Microsoft Windows, particularly as Windows 10 nears the end of its support life. Zorin OS 18 achieved 1 million downloads in its first month, with 78% from Windows users. Linux desktop market share increased from 1.5% in 2020 to over 4% in 2024, with a peak of over 5% in the US by 2025. The current US figure shows Linux at 3.49%, while the "unknown" category accounts for 4.21%, suggesting many could be running Linux. ChromeOS, a Linux variant, has a market share of 3.67%, bringing the total Linux desktop market share to approximately 11.37%. When including Android, Linux's presence rises to 41.71% in the US and 72.55% globally. The Digital Analytics Program reports a 5.8% market share for Linux desktops, up from 0.67% a decade ago, with a total of 23.3% when including Chrome OS and Android for government site access. Windows 10 holds a 16.9% market share, while Windows 11 is at 13.5%. Factors driving Linux adoption include Microsoft's shift to cloud services, improved gaming capabilities, better usability, hardware compatibility, and concerns about privacy. Approximately 25% of Windows 10 PCs cannot upgrade to Windows 11, with 26% of users planning to continue using Windows 10 post-support. Digital sovereignty is becoming important for users outside the US, with European governments seeking alternatives to Microsoft, leading to increased exploration of Linux solutions.
UK’s £312M Windows 10 Fiasco: Upgrading to Obsolescence on EOL’s Doorstep
Winsage
November 11, 2025

UK’s £312M Windows 10 Fiasco: Upgrading to Obsolescence on EOL’s Doorstep

The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has allocated £312 million to upgrade its IT systems to Windows 10, just months before Microsoft ends support for the operating system on October 14, 2025. Defra faces challenges in migrating thousands of devices, with 24,000 outdated machines incompatible with newer systems. A survey indicates that 90% of UK finance firms also struggle with outdated IT infrastructure, increasing cybersecurity risks. The National Cyber Security Centre has warned organizations to prepare for migrations to Windows 11. Defra's £312 million expenditure includes software licenses, consulting fees, and hardware refreshes, but additional risks such as increased downtime and regulatory fines could lead to significant consequences. The department's outdated devices do not meet Windows 11’s TPM 2.0 requirements, complicating the upgrade process. Experts advocate for an upgrade to Windows 11, but extensive compatibility testing and user training are necessary. Government oversight bodies are scrutinizing Defra’s expenditures, and discussions suggest alternatives like Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC, which offers updates until 2032. The financial implications of Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates pricing add strain, as costs double in subsequent years. The urgency for upgrades is emphasized by the potential cybersecurity risks, with experts warning of vulnerabilities affecting national food security and environmental initiatives.
Patching required for exploited Windows vulnerability
Winsage
October 22, 2025

Patching required for exploited Windows vulnerability

Microsoft is facing a significant security vulnerability in the Windows Server Message Block (SMB) client, which has been added to the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog. Despite a patch being released, the flaw, designated as CVE-2025-33073 and rated with a CVSS score of 8.8, remains a target for exploitation. The vulnerability allows attackers to connect a Windows system to a malicious SMB server, enabling remote execution of plans with elevated access privileges. CISA has mandated that all federal agencies must install the update by November 10, 2025, and encourages private organizations to assess their patch status and consider temporary measures if immediate updates are not possible.
Messaging App Used by Trump Admin Hacked – Attacker May Have Stolen Data From Hundreds of Government Employees: Report
AppWizard
May 8, 2025

Messaging App Used by Trump Admin Hacked – Attacker May Have Stolen Data From Hundreds of Government Employees: Report

A hacker breached TeleMessage, a messaging app used by members of the Trump administration and US government officials, in a quick attack that reportedly took 15 to 20 minutes. The breached materials included sensitive data related to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase. A screenshot from the control panel showed names, phone numbers, and email addresses of CBP employees, indicating access to data of hundreds of US government personnel. Michael Waltz, the recently dismissed national security adviser, was noted to have used TeleMessage during a cabinet meeting.
Microsoft still has a massive Windows 10 problem - and there's no easy way out
Winsage
April 18, 2025

Microsoft still has a massive Windows 10 problem – and there’s no easy way out

Microsoft's Windows 10 will reach its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025, after a standard 10-year support lifecycle. Most editions, including Home, Pro, and Enterprise, will stop receiving updates, although PCs running Windows 10 will continue to function without updates. Windows 10 Enterprise Long Term Servicing editions have different end dates, with some extending support until 2029. Current data indicates that approximately 1.6% of Windows 10 PCs are replaced by Windows 11 each month, suggesting that around 35% of the 1.4 billion Windows devices will still be using Windows 10 by the end-of-support date, equating to over 500 million PCs potentially vulnerable to cyber threats. As of April 2025, about 54% of PCs globally are still running Windows 10. Users likely to remain on Windows 10 include those with incompatible hardware, corporate environments that have standardized on Windows 10, and users resistant to upgrading due to dissatisfaction with Windows 11. Microsoft faces challenges related to a significant number of unsupported PCs, and while extended support options exist for enterprise customers, consumer adoption is expected to be low. Users unable or unwilling to upgrade may consider non-Microsoft operating systems or continue using Windows 10 without official support, which poses security risks.
Huawei's HarmonyOS PCs set to launch in 2025, rumors of Windows exit intensify
Winsage
March 19, 2025

Huawei’s HarmonyOS PCs set to launch in 2025, rumors of Windows exit intensify

Huawei has faced challenges in obtaining technologies since being placed on the US Entity List in 2019, impacting both its smartphone and PC divisions. The license for Windows operating systems for PCs is set to expire, raising concerns about Huawei's ability to compete in the global PC market. In response, Huawei is investing in its own operating system, HarmonyOS, and strengthening partnerships with local suppliers while exploring new markets.
Microsoft has a big Windows 10 problem, and it's running out of time to solve it
Winsage
February 4, 2025

Microsoft has a big Windows 10 problem, and it’s running out of time to solve it

Windows 10 will reach its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025, after nearly a decade since its launch in July 2015. PCs running Windows 10 will continue to function but will no longer receive security updates unless users opt for an Extended Security Updates (ESU) subscription. Without an ESU subscription, vulnerabilities discovered after October 2025 will remain unaddressed. Approximately 60% of PCs worldwide are still using Windows 10, and if the current upgrade pace continues, about 38% of PCs will still be running Windows 10 by the end of 2025, equating to over 500 million devices. Users with older hardware, corporate environments, and Windows 10 loyalists may face challenges in transitioning to Windows 11. Microsoft has provided options for extended support, particularly for enterprise customers, but general consumers may be less inclined to pay for updates.
US government warns federal agencies to patch dangerous Windows kernel bug
Winsage
December 17, 2024

US government warns federal agencies to patch dangerous Windows kernel bug

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) has added two vulnerabilities to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog: 1. Microsoft Windows Kernel-Mode Driver Untrusted Pointer Dereference Vulnerability (CVE-2024-35250) - Severity score: 7.8. 2. Adobe ColdFusion improper access control vulnerability (CVE-2024-20767) - Severity score: 7.4, affecting ColdFusion versions 2023.6, 2021.12, and earlier. CISA has set a deadline of January 6, 2025, for federal agencies to address these vulnerabilities.
New Microsoft Windows Attacks—Stop Doing This Now, US Government Warns Users
Winsage
November 3, 2024

New Microsoft Windows Attacks—Stop Doing This Now, US Government Warns Users

The FBI has warned users about vulnerabilities in popular webmail accounts, highlighting risks to passwords and multifactor authentication (MFA) due to emerging cyber threats. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has advised Windows users to reconsider SMS-based MFA. CISA's guidance targets Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and enterprise users, emphasizing a sophisticated spear-phishing campaign affecting various sectors, including government and IT. Spear phishing, although less than 0.1% of phishing emails, accounts for 66% of successful breaches, with average costs of USD 4.76 million and potential losses up to USD 100 million. CISA notes that foreign threat actors often impersonate trusted entities and use malicious remote desktop protocol (RDP) files to gain unauthorized access. CISA has recommended ten security measures for organizations, including restricting outbound RDP connections, blocking RDP files, enabling MFA, and adopting phishing-resistant authentication methods. CISA advises against SMS-based MFA due to its vulnerability to SIM-jacking attacks. Kaspersky has raised concerns about SIM swap fraud, particularly in areas with high smartphone usage. Organizations are encouraged to use stronger MFA alternatives, such as software authenticators or passkeys.
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