Steve Ballmer once trashed Linux as “a cancer” — now it’s saving Windows 10 holdouts
July 1, 2026
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Steve Ballmer was quite outspoken towards Linux in his time. | Credit: Getty Images | Bloomberg
In a striking declaration back in 2001, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer labeled Linux as a “cancer” that threatened the very fabric of Microsoft’s intellectual property. His rhetoric painted Linux users as akin to “communist thieves,” and he described the open-source operating system as a “malignant cancer.” However, by 2016, Ballmer’s perspective had notably shifted. Following Microsoft’s decision to port its SQL Server to Linux, he expressed enthusiasm for the move, even reaching out to current CEO Satya Nadella to convey his congratulations. Despite not retracting his earlier comments, he acknowledged that the initial conflict with open-source had ultimately bolstered Microsoft’s financial success.
Fast forward to 2020, and Microsoft President Brad Smith reflected on the company’s past stance regarding open source, admitting it had been on the wrong side of history. He noted, “The good news is that, if life is long enough, you can learn … that you need to change.” This sentiment has been echoed in Microsoft’s gradual embrace of open-source technologies, evident in products such as PowerShell, Visual Studio Code, and the JavaScript engine in Microsoft Edge. Recently, the company introduced Azure Linux 4.0, a Linux distribution that has been running quietly within its infrastructure for years but is now expanding to accommodate broader server workloads. Built on Fedora, Azure Linux 4.0 is designed to operate seamlessly on Azure virtual machines.
The RAM crisis, mounting AI bloat, and Windows 10’s death are all tipping the scales in Linux’s favor
Linux is still an option for those who can’t or don’t want to upgrade to Windows 11. | Credit: Zac Bowden | Windows Central
As the tech landscape evolves, the transition to Windows 11 is becoming increasingly challenging for users. Critics have accused Microsoft of orchestrating programmed obsolescence by ceasing support for Windows 10, effectively nudging functional hardware toward premature retirement. Advocacy groups, including the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), have urged Microsoft to reconsider its decision, warning of a potential surge in discarded computers—estimated to reach up to 400 million units.
Microsoft has not left Windows 10 users entirely unsupported; it extended the operating system’s life through its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, pushing the end date to October 14, 2026. Recently, the company announced another extension through 2027, though critics view this as a temporary fix rather than a comprehensive solution. The rising costs of RAM and NAND, largely driven by the burgeoning demands of AI technologies, have made upgrading hardware a daunting prospect for many users. Consequently, the stringent hardware requirements for Windows 11 leave many Windows 10 users with little choice but to remain on their current systems.
Moreover, design flaws in Windows 11 have prompted some users to consider alternatives. Campaigns like End of 10 are encouraging users to migrate to Linux, highlighting its ad-free experience and lack of telemetry tracking as compelling reasons to switch. A recent survey by HP revealed that 30% of its PCs are still running Windows 10, a decline from earlier estimates that suggested nearly half of PCs were still using the older operating system. This trend indicates that the transition to Windows 11 may extend well into 2027 and beyond.
A recent poll conducted by Windows Central found that 68% of respondents plan to stick with Windows 10 through 2027. One reader remarked, “Linux has gotten way better, and perhaps with some install help it does everything the common folks want to do (read: not gamers or others reliant on some very specific tailored app). The way Microsoft has been talking about their future makes every conscious consumer know this is only the beginning, and regular OS subscription payments, more surveillance, etc., are coming.” This sentiment reflects a growing awareness among users that they may soon find themselves exploring open-source alternatives like Linux, particularly as the RAM crisis continues to escalate.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Steve Ballmer once trashed Linux as “a cancer” — now it’s saving Windows 10 holdouts
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
In a striking declaration back in 2001, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer labeled Linux as a “cancer” that threatened the very fabric of Microsoft’s intellectual property. His rhetoric painted Linux users as akin to “communist thieves,” and he described the open-source operating system as a “malignant cancer.” However, by 2016, Ballmer’s perspective had notably shifted. Following Microsoft’s decision to port its SQL Server to Linux, he expressed enthusiasm for the move, even reaching out to current CEO Satya Nadella to convey his congratulations. Despite not retracting his earlier comments, he acknowledged that the initial conflict with open-source had ultimately bolstered Microsoft’s financial success.
Fast forward to 2020, and Microsoft President Brad Smith reflected on the company’s past stance regarding open source, admitting it had been on the wrong side of history. He noted, “The good news is that, if life is long enough, you can learn … that you need to change.” This sentiment has been echoed in Microsoft’s gradual embrace of open-source technologies, evident in products such as PowerShell, Visual Studio Code, and the JavaScript engine in Microsoft Edge. Recently, the company introduced Azure Linux 4.0, a Linux distribution that has been running quietly within its infrastructure for years but is now expanding to accommodate broader server workloads. Built on Fedora, Azure Linux 4.0 is designed to operate seamlessly on Azure virtual machines.
The RAM crisis, mounting AI bloat, and Windows 10’s death are all tipping the scales in Linux’s favor
As the tech landscape evolves, the transition to Windows 11 is becoming increasingly challenging for users. Critics have accused Microsoft of orchestrating programmed obsolescence by ceasing support for Windows 10, effectively nudging functional hardware toward premature retirement. Advocacy groups, including the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), have urged Microsoft to reconsider its decision, warning of a potential surge in discarded computers—estimated to reach up to 400 million units.
Microsoft has not left Windows 10 users entirely unsupported; it extended the operating system’s life through its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, pushing the end date to October 14, 2026. Recently, the company announced another extension through 2027, though critics view this as a temporary fix rather than a comprehensive solution. The rising costs of RAM and NAND, largely driven by the burgeoning demands of AI technologies, have made upgrading hardware a daunting prospect for many users. Consequently, the stringent hardware requirements for Windows 11 leave many Windows 10 users with little choice but to remain on their current systems.
Moreover, design flaws in Windows 11 have prompted some users to consider alternatives. Campaigns like End of 10 are encouraging users to migrate to Linux, highlighting its ad-free experience and lack of telemetry tracking as compelling reasons to switch. A recent survey by HP revealed that 30% of its PCs are still running Windows 10, a decline from earlier estimates that suggested nearly half of PCs were still using the older operating system. This trend indicates that the transition to Windows 11 may extend well into 2027 and beyond.
A recent poll conducted by Windows Central found that 68% of respondents plan to stick with Windows 10 through 2027. One reader remarked, “Linux has gotten way better, and perhaps with some install help it does everything the common folks want to do (read: not gamers or others reliant on some very specific tailored app). The way Microsoft has been talking about their future makes every conscious consumer know this is only the beginning, and regular OS subscription payments, more surveillance, etc., are coming.” This sentiment reflects a growing awareness among users that they may soon find themselves exploring open-source alternatives like Linux, particularly as the RAM crisis continues to escalate.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.