Windows 10 is set to reach its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025, a milestone that is drawing ever closer. Despite the outcry from millions of users, including a petition from the Public Interest Research Group urging Microsoft to reconsider its decision, the tech giant remains steadfast in its plans. The petition highlighted concerns over what it termed “the single biggest jump in junked computers ever.” As a result, Windows 10 users find themselves with limited choices: they can upgrade to Windows 11, invest in an additional year of support via the Extended Security Updates program, or transition to an entirely different operating system.
The stringent minimum system requirements for Windows 11 complicate matters further, potentially forcing many users to part with their current devices in favor of new Copilot+ PCs or other systems preloaded with the latest operating system. Microsoft has actively promoted Copilot+ PCs, presenting them as the ideal solution for an enhanced Windows 11 experience, boasting superior battery life and performance that outstrips even Apple’s MacBook Air M4, claiming speeds up to 5x faster than a five-year-old Windows 10 device.
Will Microsoft ever lose a chunk of its market share to Linux?
In a contrasting approach, a group known as End of 10 is advocating for a different path. Instead of succumbing to the pressure of purchasing new hardware to meet Microsoft’s requirements, this small team suggests that users consider abandoning the Windows ecosystem altogether in favor of Linux on their existing Windows 10 devices. A report from Canalys indicates that around 240 million PCs are not ready for Windows 11 due to these limitations.
The End of 10 group is composed of members from the Linux community and the KDE project, which offers the Windows-like KDE Plasma desktop environment. While the group’s proposal may seem familiar, it could pose a significant challenge to Microsoft’s market share if a particular Linux distribution manages to provide comparable native app support.
Unlike Windows, the End of 10 initiative highlights Linux’s advantages, including the absence of ads and telemetry tracking. Additionally, Linux is promoted as a free and open-source alternative, making it a more economical choice than investing in new hardware for Windows 11. The group also emphasizes the environmental benefits of reducing e-waste, a pressing issue as Windows 10 approaches its End of Life (EoL).
End of 10 asserts that most users should be able to run Linux on their devices and encourages them to explore beginner-friendly Linux distributions as a starting point. They assure potential switchers that the Linux community is ready to assist, although this support may not extend to addressing the lack of anti-cheat mechanisms for popular multiplayer games or the absence of native Windows app support.
As noted by Tom’s Hardware, there is a wealth of shops and tech collectives eager to provide Linux support, with many located in Germany and others scattered throughout Europe.
• Editor’s note: Windows 11’s market share has steadily climbed to 42.69%, yet Windows 10 still commands a dominant 54.2%. The long-anticipated “year of the Linux desktop” remains an elusive goal. While the impending end of support for Windows 10 presents challenges, it will be an uphill battle for Linux advocates to convert the majority. The ongoing interplay between Linux and Windows continues, with both operating systems coexisting through broad app cross-compatibility. However, significantly impacting Microsoft’s OS market share would be a remarkable achievement, should it ever come to fruition. — Ben Wilson, Senior Editor
