The LibreOffice project is poised to make significant changes to its Windows support, urging users to consider a transition to Linux. The Document Foundation, which has been at the helm of LibreOffice development since Oracle stepped back, is clearly outlining its vision for the future. This perspective is articulated in a recent blog post that highlights the impending end of Windows 10, while also referencing the ongoing development of the upcoming LibreOffice version 25.8.
First, the good news
The blog post’s message is straightforward: as the end of Windows 10 approaches, it may be time to explore Linux and LibreOffice as viable alternatives. The post also draws attention to the KDE-backed End of 10 campaign, which has recently enhanced its support resources, including a zoomable world map. However, there remains a need for better organization within these resources to facilitate user navigation.
Additionally, the blog links to Distro Chooser, a commendable initiative designed to guide users through a series of questions to recommend suitable Linux distributions. However, the presentation of results can be overwhelming, presenting a color-coded list of options rather than a concise top three. The sentiment among the Reg FOSS desk is that a more streamlined approach would be beneficial, emphasizing that “less is more.”
While some may dismiss Linux distributions as inferior, the essence of the matter lies in the freedom they offer. Users can break free from proprietary software, embracing a free alternative that grants them ownership of their tools.
For those who prefer a familiar interface, LibreOffice offers a ribbon-based UI akin to Microsoft Office. If that still doesn’t meet your aesthetic preferences, there are several free alternatives available, such as OnlyOffice and WPS Office. For users who find an online suite sufficient, ThinkFree provides a no-cost tier, showcasing its longevity since its inception 25 years ago.
Then the (maybe?) bad news
LibreOffice has matured significantly over its 15-year journey since parting ways with Oracle. The Document Foundation’s developers have diligently refined the codebase, eliminating unnecessary elements. This maturation has led to a change in the version numbering system, aligning with a semiannual release schedule similar to Ubuntu. Currently, the latest version is LibreOffice 25.2, launched in February.
The forthcoming release, version 25.8, is anticipated in August and will introduce notable changes, including the removal of legacy support:
- Feature Removal / Deprecation
- Platform Compatibility
- Support for Windows 7 and 8/8.1 has been removed.
- Support for x86 (32-bit) Windows builds is deprecated.
While Windows 7 reached its end of life in 2020, it has maintained a certain affection among users, despite its obsolescence. Windows 8, on the other hand, was quietly phased out in January 2016, leaving Windows 8.1 as the only option until its extended support ended in January 2023. Users still clinging to Windows 8.1 may want to consider upgrading to Windows 10 LTSC, which is a more viable option for those with older hardware.
As for 32-bit Windows, its relevance is dwindling, yet it remains applicable for certain legacy systems. Many early 64-bit machines only supported DDR2 RAM, making upgrades costly and impractical. For systems limited to 4 GB of RAM or less, the x86-32 version of Windows may still offer better performance. There is a possibility that the Document Foundation may need to continue providing a 32-bit Windows build for the foreseeable future.
For users still on Windows 7, LibreOffice offers both “fresh” releases every six months and a slower-moving “stable” version. As of now, the stable version available for download is 24.8.7, which will continue to support Windows 7 for some time after the release of version 25.8.