"Linux is a cancer that attaches itself in an intellectual property sense to everything it touches," indicated former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in 2001. At the time, the executive considered Linux users to be communist thieves and viewed the open-source operating system as a "malignant cancer" on Microsoft's intellectual property.

In 2016, Ballmer seemingly changed his stance on Linux after Microsoft ported its SQL Server to Linux. He didn't redact his statement about Linux as he saw fit at the time. The executive revealed that going to war with open-source helped generate a ton of money, which greatly contributed to Microsoft's revenue.

Interestingly, he believed the threat from Linux had passed. The executive said he loved the SQL on Linux announcement, so much so that he emailed Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to congratulate him on the move.

In 2020, Microsoft President Brad Smith admitted that the company had been on the wrong side of history when open source exploded. "The good news is that, if life is long enough, you can learn … that you need to change," Smith added.

Consequently, Microsoft has seemingly warmed up to open-source over the years, from PowerShell to Visual Studio Code to Microsoft Edge's JavaScript engine. And perhaps more recently, the company unveiled its own Linux distribution, Azure Linux 4.0, to the public.

It's worth noting that Azure Linux 4.0 isn't new; Microsoft has been running the open-source Linux distro across its infrastructure for years now. The only difference is that the platform is now expanding into broader server workloads. The operating system is built on Fedora and runs on Azure virtual machines.

The RAM crisis, mounting AI bloat, and Windows 10's death are all tipping the scales in Linux's favor

While this might seem like a stretch, it's increasingly becoming difficult for users to upgrade to Windows 11. Critics have referred to Microsoft ending support for Windows 10 as programmed obsolescence, designed to force working hardware into early retirement.

Groups like the public interest research group (PIRG) have petitioned Microsoft to reconsider its decision and extend Windows 10 support, citing the potential for the single biggest jump in junked computers (up to 400 million PCs).

Microsoft didn't necessarily leave Windows 10 users in the lurch when it ended support for the operating system on October 14, 2025. It extended support for an additional year through its extended security updates (ESU) program to October 14, 2026, though critics claimed it felt like a last-minute snooze button, only a band-aid on a bleeding system.

More recently, the company extended support for Windows 10 through its ESU program through 2027. It didn't disclose the reason for extending Windows 10 support, but recent events can offer a vague picture of some possibilities.

The rising cost of RAM and NAND, primarily driven through the roof by AI's insatiable appetite for computing power, has made it difficult for users to buy new hardware. In that sense, it's practically impossible for Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11 because their devices don't meet Microsoft's stringent hardware requirements.

There's also the argument of flawed Windows 11 design elements. However, Microsoft already started addressing some of these issues as part of its broader Windows K2 initiative. The company has already started reducing the places where Copilot and its integrations appear across the operating system.

Groups like End of 10 have been pushing users to transition to Linux following Windows 10's end of support. The campaign encourages Windows 10 users to ditch the Windows ecosystem entirely and switch to a version of Linux on any outdated devices, using a lack of ads and telemetry tracking as the key selling points to get users to switch camps.

For context, a recent HP survey found that 3 out of 10 HP PCs are still running Windows 10. This was a slight decrease from September 2025, when HP and Dell indicated that up to 50% of PCs were still running on the operating system. As such, there's a chance the transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 could roll over into 2027 and even 2028, especially after Microsoft's new lifeline for the OS.

I recently polled Windows Central readers about the current state of affairs and whether they plan to upgrade to Windows 11. Out of 321 participants, 68% (217 readers) said they intend to stick with Windows 10 through 2027.

According to a Windows Central reader:

"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 is coming.

I might buy win 11 based pc in the future when the current one stops working, but I already know it will run Linux just fine, so MS has opened Pandora's box."

I’ll go out on a limb and suggest that, while it may sound far-fetched, Windows 10 holdouts could abandon Microsoft’s ecosystem in favor of open-source alternatives like Linux — especially if the RAM crisis continues to spiral out of control.

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Steam’s latest hardware survey for May 2026 is here, and it paints an interesting picture. Of course, we’ve covered hardware surveys before, including periods where it genuinely looked like Linux was gaining serious ground.

To be fair, that growth was understandable. Microsoft continued to drop the ball with Windows on multiple occasions, leading some users, albeit not many, to give Linux a try and see what it had to offer.

In the latest hardware survey results, Windows 11 saw an increase of 2.02%, bringing its total share of Steam users to 69.76%. Windows as a whole now accounts for 93.85% of all Steam users.

Turning to Linux, which has made impressive strides over the past few months, the operating system peaked at 5.33% back in March before dipping to 4.52% in April. Now, in May, Linux accounts for 3.99% of Steam users.

That's still well above the below-2% figures Linux was stuck at for a long time, but it's hard to ignore the fact that its share has declined month after month since reaching that March peak.

I’m a strong believer in healthy competition, and seeing Windows fumble over the past few months has created an opportunity for Linux to become more well-known. That's ultimately a good thing for the industry.

Whether it's Microsoft focusing more heavily on gaming performance to compete with Linux, something I'm sure most gamers would appreciate, especially ahead of Project Helix, Xbox's PC and console hybrid, or improvements to the overall user experience and a gradual pullback from some of its AI ambitions, it's hard to imagine we'd be seeing such a noticeable shift in tone from Microsoft without meaningful competition pushing it forward.

Or perhaps I'm alone in thinking that, which is perfectly fine too. Either way, I'd love to hear your thoughts. How do you feel about Linux losing ground on Steam while Windows 11 continues to gain traction?

Personally, I've had a pretty miserable experience every time I've tried Linux, which is a real shame because I can absolutely see the appeal. Still, let me know what you think in the comments, and be sure to take part in our poll!

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In a not-so-surprising turn of events, HP recently revealed that 3 out of 10 of its installed user base is still running Windows 10, despite Microsoft unceremoniously pulling support for the operating system on October 14, 2025. The move left approximately 400 million PCs in the lurch because they didn't meet Microsoft's stringent hardware requirements to upgrade to Windows 11.

Notably, the number of Windows 10 holdouts has slightly decreased from September 2025, when HP and Dell indicated that up to 50% of PCs were still running on the operating system, prompting the PC makers to suggest that users won't upgrade to Windows 11 overnight, and the process could even be expected to roll over into 2026.

While recently speaking to investors, Ketan Patel, president of personal systems, claimed the slow transition to Windows 11 from Windows 10 was giving HP a financial boost (via The Register):

"Windows 11: 30 percent of the installed base is still to be refreshed. That's one tailwind which we see as an opportunity in the short run."

HP's CFO, Karen Parkhill, reiterated the same sentiments while indicating that the trend was regional and particularly strong in EMEA and APJ for the company's FY26Q2, which ended on April 30. For context, the company's revenue grew 9% year-on-year to $14.41 billion.

"We have roughly 30 percent of the installed base still on Windows 10, so we still have some more to go. The Win 11 refresh that we've driven now in EMEA and APJ is now on par with North America."

Despite pleas and petitions from users asking the company to extend support for the operating system, it turned a deaf ear to the requests. It extended Windows 10's lifeline through its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which users can enroll in for free by syncing their PC settings to the cloud via a Microsoft Account, or pay $30 or 1,000 Microsoft Reward points. It's worth noting that the company later backtracked on the move, making access to Windows 10's extended support updates free for regions in the European Economic Area that do not meet the cloud backup requirement.

Still, groups like The Restart Project group, which helped co-develop the "End of 10" toolkit to support Windows 10 users who can't upgrade to Windows 11, said Microsoft's move to continue pushing security updates to Windows 10 beyond its end-of-support feels like a last-minute snooze button, which only acts as a band-aid on a bleeding system.

andCritics have branded Windows 10's end of support as programmed obsolescence by Microsoft, as the move practically forced millions of working PCs into early retirement because they didn't meet the stringent hardware requirements to upgrade to Windows 11.

The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) warned that Microsoft's pulling the plug on Windows 10 will have a major impact on older devices, widening the digital divide.

In the interim, groups like End of 10 have been pushing users to transition to Linux following Windows 10's end-of-life. The campaign encourages steadfast Windows 10 users to ditch the Windows ecosystem entirely and switch to a version of Linux on any outdated devices, using a lack of ads and telemetry tracking as the key selling points to get users to switch camps.

Between the dwindling hype behind sophisticated AI PCs and limited spending power to get new devices, it makes sense that there would be a significant number of Windows 10 holdouts.

Microsoft has made blatant attempts to get users to upgrade to Windows 11, including full-screen multi-page pop-up ads awnd even using Copilot+ PCs and its next-gen AI features to make its point with bold statements like "Windows 11 PCs are up to 2.3x faster than Windows 10 PCs."

It remains unclear whether users still running Windows 1o on their devices enrolled for the ESU program or are just using the operating system without security updates.

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In March, I reported on California’s Digital Age Assurance Act, requiring operating system providers in the state to collect users’ age information during setup, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux distros like SteamOS, and more.

The bill was unanimously passed by both the Assembly and Senate and is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. However, California lawmakers are introducing a new amendment that will exempt open-source operating systems from the state’s forthcoming Digital Age Assurance Act (via Tom's Hardware).

This means open-source operating systems like Linux, including its mainstream distros like Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu, Arch Linux, and more, will be exempt from the mandatory age checks during setup.

According to the new amendment in the controversial bill:

"An operating system provider or developer that distributes an operating system or application under license terms that permit a recipient to copy, redistribute, and modify the software without any platform-imposed technical or contractual restrictions imposed by the provider or developer on installing all modified versions."

I previously argued that age verification checks for open-source operating systems like Linux distros would be an uphill task because they don’t have centralized accounts, and users can download ISOs from global mirrors and freely modify the source code.

"This is basically impossible for California to enforce," a user lamented. "Even if Linux Mint decides to add some kind of age verification, to comply with CA law, there's no reason anyone would choose that version."

Elsewhere, GrapheneOS, a privacy-focused Android-based operating system, indicated that it won't be party to emerging laws requiring mandatory age verification during setup. "If devices can't be sold in a region due to its regulations, so be it," GrapheneOS added.

On the other hand, age verification is not a new phenomenon in the Windows ecosystem. Users are already required to provide their date of birth during the Microsoft Account setup process.

However, Microsoft pledged to improve the general user sentiment around Windows 11 by addressing pain points across the operating system, which could lead to scrapping the mandatory Microsoft account when setting up a new PC. As such, you can technically bypass the age verification checks in the Windows ecosystem.

It'll be interesting to see how everything unfolds, especially after more states and potentially the whole world embrace age verification measures to protect users from harmful or inappropriate content.

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Every year enthusiasts declare that it's the "year of Linux," but what if instead of that milestone happening in 2026, it retroactively happened in 1995. Open source developer "Hailey" did not invent a time machine, but they did create Windows 9x Subsystem for Linux (WSL9X) that allows you to run Windows and Linux apps side-by-side on Windows 95 and other classic versions of Windows.

The developer of WSL9X explains how the tool works on "Codeberg."

"WSL9x runs a modern Linux kernel (6.19 at time of writing) cooperatively inside the Windows 9x kernel, enabling users to take advantage of the full suite of capabilities of both operating systems at the same time, including paging, memory protection, and pre-emptive scheduling. Run all your favourite applications side by side - no rebooting required!"

This is exactly the type of thing we get excited about at Windows Central. One of the most beautiful aspects of the OS is that it can be forced to work with so many things. WSL9X brings a Linux subsystem to Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me.

WSL9X isn’t emulation. It isn’t virtualization. It’s not DOSBox. It’s a Linux kernel running as a peer inside an operating system that predates USB flash drives.

Hailey noted on Mastodon that WSL9X does not require hardware virtualization, so it can run on what many would call ancient hardware.

WSL9X is available for download, but you have to build it from the source provided by Hailey and deploy it yourself on a supported system.

As for what you can actually do with WSL9X, it’s more practical than it looks. You get a real Linux terminal running next to classic Windows apps, so you can use core tools, compile small projects, or run lightweight utilities without touching virtualization.

It’s not going to run a modern desktop environment, but that isn’t the point. The appeal is that Windows 95 can handle tasks it was never designed for, and it does it without falling over.

WSL9X is another example of how far people can push old versions of Windows when they feel like it. It doesn’t change anything about modern Linux or modern Windows, but it does show that the boundary between the two has been flexible for a long time.

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Age verification could soon be mandated on major operating systems like Windows 11, macOS, and even Linux due to new laws requiring tech companies to participate to protect minors, give guardians more control over digital access, and generally comply with regional regulations.

According to a report by Gaming on Linux, a new bill co-sponsored by New Jersey Democrat Josh Gottheimer and New York Republican Elise Stefanik has been introduced in the US House, requiring operating systems to verify a user's age before proceeding with initial installation (via PC Gamer).

Consequently, users of these operating systems, whether temporarily or as their daily drivers, will be required to enter their date of birth when setting up an account. The "Parents Decide Act" will also require OS providers like Windows to "develop a system to allow an app developer to access any information as is necessary, collected by the operating system to carry out this section and any regulation promulgated under this section, to verify the date of birth of a user of an app of the app developer."

Essentially, this only means that the apps and programs installed on your device will have access to your date of birth. While it seems fair to establish control over what minors can access online and give parents the upper hand in digital access, it remains unclear whether the age-verification checks will affect privacy and data security with their methods.

Right now, the proposed bill is a tad vague, lacking clear definitions, leaving open-ended questions hanging in the air. For instance, how would age verification work on Linux-based platforms if the bill were passed? Unlike Windows, Linux doesn't have centralized accounts, and users can download "distros" from global mirrors and modify the source code freely.

Does age verification feel intrusive and sketchy?

As early as next year, California’s Digital Age Assurance Act will require all operating system providers in the state, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux distros like SteamOS, to collect users’ age information during setup.

GrapheneOS, an Android-based OS spin-off, recently indicated that it won't be party to emerging laws requiring mandatory age verification during setup: "GrapheneOS will remain usable by anyone around the world without requiring personal information, identification or an account," added the OS provider. "If GrapheneOS devices can't be sold in a region due to their regulations, so be it."

However, age verification isn't a new phenomenon. In fact, it almost feels synonymous with the operating system, as it's a mandatory requirement when setting up a Microsoft Account.

Interestingly, Microsoft pledged to improve the general user sentiment around Windows 11 in January by addressing the major pain points across the operating system. Some of these measures could include scrapping the mandatory Microsoft account when setting up a new PC.

It'll be interesting to see how Microsoft handles this issue when age verification becomes a mandatory requirement for all OS providers.

Will the tech giant proceed with its plans to address major pain points in Windows 11 by scrapping the mandatory Microsoft account when setting up a new PC, or will the plans be placed on the back burner?

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Zorin OS just shipped 18.1, an update aimed squarely at people who want to leave Windows without losing the apps they rely on. The release expands hardware support, adds fingerprint reader compatibility for older machines, and — crucially — now recommends native Linux alternatives and install paths when it detects Windows apps. For anyone weighing a switch from Windows 11 or an aging Windows 10 PC, this is the first distro update that treats migration as a guided, user‑facing process rather than a technical project.

Zorin OS, a Linux-based operating system (distro) designed as a purposeful alternative to macOS and Windows, burst into the scene late last year, close to Microsoft's unpopular decision to end support for Windows 10 on October 14. Some users referred to that decision as programmed obsolescence, saying its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program didn't help either, and felt like a last-minute snooze button.

Windows 10's "death" pushed 780,000 users to Linux, skyrocketing downloads of Zorin OS in particular to 1 million. Three months later, Zorin OS 18 passed 2 million downloads. And now, six months after Zorin OS launched, its team has indicated that it has reached even 3.3 million downloads (via Neowin).

This milestone coincides with the release of Zorin OS 18.1, which ships with new features, improvements, and improved hardware support. The distro has also expanded its built-in database to better detect installation files for popular Windows apps: "It now supports over 240 apps, recommending even more tailored alternatives to sideloading their Windows executables," the team explains.

As such, when launching the Windows installer for an app like Plex, the OS will display a dialog that tries to direct you to the best way to use that app, which is often installing its native Linux version from its app store. What's more, it automatically suggests the closest native alternative to many Windows‑only apps, such as Evolution Mail in place of Microsoft Outlook.

The new update adds new improvements to the desktop, including new options to the Advanced Window Tiling feature. Additionally, some apps will now display their own indicator icon in the panel tray, making it easier for users to check the app's status or even quickly access its functions.

Zorin OS 18.1 also updates its pre-installed apps "for a more feature-rich experience out of the box."

The lightweight edition of the Zorin OS Linux distribution, Zorin Lite, has also received a new update, bumping it to version 17.3. For context, the Lite version is designed to run on older or low‑spec computers. The update ships with fingerprint reader support, updated desktop themes, and a redesigned File Manager app.

Windows Central's take: Microsoft is trying, but Windows 11 has dangerous competition

Windows 11 has been around for four years (and change), but it has struggled to gain broad adoption for most of that time compared to its predecessors. This can be partly attributed to Microsoft's stringent hardware requirements, coupled with lackluster design elements across the operating system.

However, it is now gaining momentum following Windows 10's end-of-life status and has even surpassed its market share. Earlier this year, Microsoft pledged to improve the general user sentiment around Windows 11.

The Redmond giant is seemingly already living up to its promise by giving users the option to skip the update process when setting up a new Windows 11 PC, reducing where Copilot and its integrations appear, and bringing back fan-favorite features like the movable and resizable Taskbar as part of its broader strategy to address pain points across the operating system.

However, our Senior Editor Zac Bowden recently argued that Microsoft is wasting time trying to make Windows 11 better, and should rip the band-aid off and ship Windows 12. "Unfortunately, I'm worried that even a valiant effort to fix the platform isn't going to mend its reputation. If history is to repeat itself, "fixing" an operating system through bug fixes and new features isn't enough," Bowden added. "In the eyes of many, bad versions of Windows have only been truly fixable in one way: Abandonment."

Still, alternative operating systems like these Linux distros threaten Windows 11's hold in the desktop market share because of their open-source, free-of-charge nature, and the promise of a lack of ads and telemetry only makes the jump more tempting for anyone growing tired of Windows, for whatever reason.

Would you ditch Microsoft for a Linux-based OS like Zorin, given the current state of Windows 11?

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Last week, France announced that it was transitioning the operating systems of its government desktop PC from Microsoft Windows to variants of Linux. According to the official government press release, the move is part of the country's broader strategy to reduce its overdependence and reliance on "extra-European" digital technologies.

While the French government hasn't specifically indicated when it intends to make the transition or the specific distributions it is considering, the transition is expected to start with devices at the French government's digital agency (DINUM).

However, the announcement details that each ministry is expected to develop a plan to make the transition by Fall 2026, addressing desktop systems, collaboration tools, antivirus software, AI, databases, virtualization, and network equipment.

It's a move by the French government to reduce its reliance on US-based companies and their technologies, shifting focus to homegrown products and services amid the instability and unpredictability issues affecting the current administration.

If you've never seen the name, Linux spans several free and open-source operating system builds developed by communities and organizations. It ships in these different flavors known as distributions (or distros), including Ubuntu, Fedora, and many more.

Many distros are favored for stability, security, customization, and cost-effectiveness, which could pose a great threat to Microsoft’s massive market share with Windows if more countries and organizations hop on this Linux bandwagon.

Microsoft's decision to pull the plug on Windows 10 late last year seemed unpopular among most users, even with its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which felt like a last-minute snooze button, acting as a sort of band-aid on a bleeding system rather than a solution.

Consequently, this has fueled the rise of groups such as "End of 10", which advocate for users to abandon Microsoft’s ecosystem entirely in favor of Linux following the end of Windows 10. They cite the absence of intrusive ads and telemetry tracking as the primary incentives behind the surge in adoption.

This isn’t the first initiative or move by the French government to assert its digital sovereignty. In January, France announced its plans to ditch Microsoft Teams and Zoom for a domestically developed platform, called Visio, across its public institutions by 2027.

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When the Steam Deck originally launched on February 25, 2022, we called it "streamlined, responsive, and undeniably compelling" in our five-star review.

Designed and produced entirely by Steam's parent company, Valve, it arrived running a custom Linux version called SteamOS. This was an introduction to Linux for many PC gamers who'd otherwise been beholden to Windows, and it proved to be a stable, efficient, and clean OS that just seemed to work.

The Steam Deck's main competition was found in Nintendo's Switch, before a wave of PC handhelds was launched by various manufacturers in an attempt to capitalize on the Steam Deck's popularity.

👉 After 3 years, Valve's Steam Deck is still one of the best gaming handhelds — but the conversation has changed

Many of these competing handhelds, like the ASUS ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw 8 AI+, arrived with Windows 11 installed. This, of course, kicked off a debate over SteamOS vs. Windows that continues today.

Both operating systems certainly have their benefits and downsides. Game and app compatibility falls in favor of Windows 11, as does native store access. My biggest gripe about my Steam Deck is that I can't access Game Pass titles, and I know that I'm not alone.

It didn't take long for Steam Deck owners to begin experimenting with running Windows on Valve's hardware.

Was it always possible to run Windows 11 on a Steam Deck?

The Steam Deck was never intended to be a Windows 11 device. While you could "hack" Windows onto the hardware with some awkward steps and community driver efforts during the first year of the Deck's life, Valve eventually made the process a lot easier by releasing an official Windows driver package.

This didn't mean that Valve was suddenly distancing itself from its SteamOS. The company was simply acknowledging interest in Windows running on its hardware while removing some of the biggest obstacles.

With Windows 11 installed on Steam Deck, users could get full support for anti-cheat, access to Xbox Game Pass titles, and better support for other game launchers like Epic, Battle.net, and Ubisoft.

As you can imagine, getting it all to work properly wasn't exactly a straightforward process.

The "Windows on Steam Deck" community steps in to fill the gaps

Until recently, when Microsoft began pushing its Xbox Full Screen Experience/Xbox mode for gaming PCs, Windows wasn't much fun to operate on a small screen using gamepad input.

Windows on a Steam Deck, being the full Windows experience, also came with additional telemetry and bloat, reducing efficiency and performance compared to SteamOS.

This issue wasn't unique to the Steam Deck. In our Xbox Ally X review, it was noted that the Windows experience was still lacking due chiefly to missing optimization.

Many of these issues remain despite Microsoft's recent advancements for gaming handhelds. What else were Steam Deck users to do but create their own solutions?

A Reddit community known as r/WindowsOnDeck arrived in 2022 and has since grown to have more than 15,000 weekly visitors. The community is made up of like-minded PC gamers who prefer installing Windows to dual-boot alongside SteamOS, and it's home to an impressive amount of support documents and how-to guides.

Bald Sealion's ultimate Steam Deck Windows guide can be considered the WindowsOnDeck community's first stop on the journey. It's a veritable treasure chest of installation help, Windows OS tweaks, controller setups, quality-of-life improvements, FAQs, troubleshooting help, and much more.

Community-made utilities that help with controller mapping and more granular power control are available, as are custom scripts that help improve performance and battery life when running Windows.

If you're at all interested in dual-booting Windows and SteamOS on your Steam Deck, I can't think of a better place to check out first. The community is quite active answering troubleshooting help requests, and there are some great discussions on a wide variety of topics.

Why is the Steam Deck an unlikely Windows gaming handheld?

Despite the evident hurdles, including the necessity of custom tinkering and the fact that many consider SteamOS to be the superior way to game, the Steam Deck has become an unlikely Windows gaming handheld.

👉 4 reasons why SteamOS is quietly winning over PC gamers — and why Windows won't be dethroned any time soon

While Valve made the initial steps easier with its official Windows drivers package roughly a year after the Steam Deck's launch (likely in response to Valve seeing how many users wanted to try Windows on its hardware), it's been the community that sprang up around it that has really kept the dream alive.

Although I've always toyed with the idea of putting Windows 11 on my Steam Deck, I've yet to actually go through the process. That's going to change this weekend now that I've seen how many gamers are having positive experiences, and I can't wait to get my favorite Game Pass titles running while I sit back on the couch.

Do you have your Steam Deck set up to dual-boot Windows and SteamOS? How are you enjoying the experience? If you haven't taken the dual-boot pill, do you plan to in the future? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

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It's been about a week since suspected hackers out of North Korea temporarily compromised axios, one of the world's most popular JavaScript HTTP client libraries. Now, more details are emerging about how the hack was achieved, and why it's pertinent knowledge for Windows, macOS, and Linux users.

The original hijacking occurred when bad actors were able to compromise axios maintainer Jason Saayman's primary account. This allowed for the publishing of two malicious axios versions to npm (a massive public registry of tools available for download) on March 30, 2026.

The compromised uploads, axios@1.14.1 and axios@0.30.4, were quickly recognized by StepSecurity, and Saayman was able to remove them within about three hours of being published.

Despite the relatively quick action to remove the compromised uploads, axios usually sees more than 100 million downloads every week. This makes it difficult to determine exactly how many users downloaded the remote access trojan (RAT).

Saayman explains the entire axios supply chain compromise in a post mortem blog post published on GitHub, including some steps you can take to ensure that your machine (whether it's Windows, macOS, or Linux) is not compromised. I strongly recommend checking them out if you deal with axios, as the RAT is capable of stealing sensitive credentials from your system.

How do Microsoft Teams and Slack fit into the axios hack's timeline?

TechCrunch, in speaking with Google, brought the North Korea angle to light. The attack was attributed to UNC1069, a "financially motivated threat actor" who's been pulling these types of ploys "since at least 2018."

Here's where the story really takes off. According to Saayman, the timeline of the attack began roughly two weeks before March 31, when a "social engineering campaign [was] initiated against the lead maintainer."

Saayman goes into more details in the comments section of the post-mortem post. He explains that the bad actors "reached out masquerading as the founder of a company" after having cloned the founder's likeness and the company itself.

Saayman was then invited to a Slack workspace with all the right company branding, mock LinkedIn post sharing, and fake team profiles. After scheduling a meeting with Saayman on Microsoft Teams, a fake "missing update" requested a small install.

This, of course, was where the RAT was downloaded onto the maintainer's PC. Teams wasn't compromised; it was just faked and used as a medium to deliver the Trojan.

As Saayman points out, "Everything was extremely well coordinated, looked legit, and was done in a professional manner." That's a tough one, and you do have to feel bad for anyone duped by such an elaborate ploy.

Axios is now investigating the breach and ways to avoid the same from happening again in the future.

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Last week came to a close with Microsoft announcing some significant developments for the future of Windows 11.

While many of us were focused on the meat of the announcement — and the fact we'll be able to move the taskbar again at last — buried further down were some nuggets of interest to WSL users.

It's not exactly heavy on details, but there's a little section titled "elevating the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) experience." Here's what's on deck:

• Faster file performance between Linux and Windows
• Improved network compatibility and throughput
• More streamlined first-time setup and onboarding experience
• Better enterprise management with stronger policy control, security and governance

Like I said, it's not heavy on details.

But what's there is still interesting. The first thing that grabbed my attention is the setup and onboarding experience. In the early days, installing WSL on Windows was a pretty involved process.

Now, it's as simple as entering a single command into the terminal or downloading WSL from the Microsoft Store. You still have to get set up with your distros, but it's already a pretty streamlined process. I'm curious to see where else it goes.

Faster interoperability between the two file systems will always be welcomed. After all, who doesn't want to go faster? The networking improvements will also be welcomed with open arms, for while I've never had issues myself, I am aware that there are circumstances out there that can cause problems in some use cases.

I've always thought WSL is one of Microsoft's secret weapons in Windows and should be shouted out at every available opportunity. I'm just a regular person who likes tinkering with Linux, and I love it. But for developers, system admins, and folks who need to have access to Linux tools on a regular basis, Windows 11 is a compelling option.

With WSL you don't necessarily need to deal with VMs (though there may still be cases to do so), as you can just open Windows Terminal and get right to it. Proper Linux with a proper Linux kernel and even support for GUI applications, and it's able to talk to your Windows system mostly seamlessly. What's not to love?

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Over the past few years, age verification has increasingly become prevalent across industries and platforms. Just last month, Discord announced plans to roll out age verification measures globally to, as it claims, protect users from harmful or inappropriate content.

And now, the move is trickling down to operating systems. Well, at least in California. In October 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed California’s Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043), requiring operating system providers in the state to collect users’ age information during setup (via PCGamer).

The bill was passed by the Assembly and Senate unanimously, and is expected to take effect on January 1, 2027, affecting Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux distros like SteamOS, and more.

According to AB 1043, an OS developer will be required to:

"1) Provide an accessible interface at account setup that requires an account holder to indicate the birth date, age, or both, of the user of that device for the purpose of providing a signal regarding the user’s age bracket to applications available in a covered application store.

(2) Provide a developer who has requested a signal with respect to a particular user with a digital signal via a reasonably consistent real-time application programming interface that identifies, at a minimum, which of the following categories pertains to the user.

The categories are broken into four sections: users under 13 years of age, over 13 years of age under 16, at least 16 years of age and under 18, and "at least 18 years of age."

While the law doesn't enforce outrageous forms of age verification like a facial scan, OS developers will be required to collect age verification during the account setup process. The information can then be shared with app developers upon request.

App developers will now have access to their users' ages, consequently shifting legal liability for age-appropriate content decisions to them. For context, app developers could face steep penalties: up to $2,500 per affected child for negligent violations and $7,500 for intentional ones.

Despite signing the bill into law, Governor Gavin Newsom has urged the legislature to amend it, citing concerns from streaming services and game developers over “complexities such as multi-user accounts shared within families and user profiles spread across multiple devices.”

Age verification probably won't work for Linux

While this might not be a major change for Windows since the operating system already requires users to provide their date of birth during the Microsoft Account setup process, it seems like an uphill task for Linux distros.

This is because they don’t have centralized accounts, and users can download ISOs from global mirrors and freely modify the source code.

"This is basically impossible for California to enforce," CatoDomine indicated on Reddit. "Even if Linux Mint decides to add some kind of age verification, to comply with CA law, there's no reason anyone would choose that version."

The user further indicated that even if the find a way to get age verification to work on Linux, "It's more likely they will put a disclaimer on their website: "not for use in California."

Do you support California’s new law requiring age verification in all operating systems? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Valve could have celebrated another birthday of its iconic, still beloved Steam Deck yesterday, as the Linux-based PC gaming handheld turned 4 years old on February 25. However, ongoing storage and RAM shortages have affected Steam Deck OLED production, and there are no significant signs that the issue is easing for you (or me) as average PC gamers.

One of the original Steam Deck LCD models, with 256GB of storage, has already been removed from sale. To be fair, it hardly appealed to modern audiences for its comparatively tiny storage capacity for installing games, and its removal seemed to be part of Valve's plan — one I'd agree with.

However, future strategies for the upcoming Steam Machine, Valve's gaming PC, have been disrupted by surging prices for critical memory and storage parts, reportedly driven by the gargantuan rise of enterprise-driven generative AI. As a regular Steam Deck user and general fan of Valve, it's hard to feel as optimistic as when we ran a speculative Steam Machine price analysis last year.

I already had reservations about whether the upcoming Steam Machine would handle graphically intensive modern games with its 8GB of VRAM, despite Valve's claims that it targets a 4K resolution running at 60 FPS by relying on AMD's FSR upscaling technology. If it's on a lower GPU limit and we end up paying over the odds for the hardware, then I could predict a negative backlash.

Is Valve's Steam Machine in trouble or not?

Interestingly, AMD's CEO claims Valve is still on track to release the Steam Machine on its original, yet publicly obscured, launch date. We already know that a "semi-custom" Zen 4 processor from AMD is inside it, so it's reasonable to expect that mass production of that chip started months ago (via PC Gamer).

What that doesn't reveal is what's happening with plans for pricing the Steam Machine, and whether Valve will (or can) subsidize the rising costs. I've personally watched the price of popular desktop memory (RAM) rise from around $98 to $250 for 16GB of DDR5-6000, and I can't imagine it would be easy for Valve to offset the cost of memory chiplets inside AMD's processors.

🗨️ So, what about SteamOS vs. Windows?

The age-old "Year of the Linux desktop" discussion oozes back into popular culture every few months — like a gas leak — though I still firmly believe dual-booting gives you the best of both worlds anyway. Linux and Windows play well together, but the topic of a new distro dethroning Microsoft's PC gaming rule never goes away.

Then again, I'm still bothered by the bickering that happens with some open-source options. Essay-length explanations of developer drama leave me uninterested in booting into otherwise exciting gaming distros like Bazzite, and it feels like I'm back to waiting for Valve to better support SteamOS on any PC — while I stick with Fedora KDE for low-power productivity.

Valve is the only recognized brand that has a chance of making Linux appeal to the average crowd, using the Steam Machine as the Trojan Horse that sneaks it in. Still, if this cube-shaped gaming PC launches with a couple of hundred dollars over what I expect, then kiss those aspirations goodbye. At least SteamOS will stay a boon to the Steam Deck (if you can still buy one in six months).

Are you waiting for the Steam Machine, or are you happy with a Steam Deck? Perhaps neither? Let me know, I'm interested to see how many in our community are eagerly awaiting Valve's next move.

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NVIDIA's new job listings suggest it's looking to strengthen its Linux efforts, including roles focused on Vulkan graphics optimization and Linux graphics engineering in general. You may have also heard Vulkan pretty recently, as Mojang is switching from OpenGL to Vulkan for the Java edition of Minecraft.

Basically, Vulkan is a modern graphics API that acts as the backbone of most advanced graphics work on PC games, just like Microsoft's DirectX. It allows games to communicate efficiently with your graphics card, giving developers more direct control over performance.

It's also a key reason Proton works as well as it does. Proton translates Windows game instructions into Vulkan so they can run on Linux. SteamOS relies on this same process, which makes Vulkan central to its viability.

In simple terms, without Vulkan, Windows games would not run nearly as smoothly on Linux, and Proton would not be nearly as effective.

Linux gaming is no longer a niche experiment

What was once seen as a niche experiment does feel like it is starting to take shape. Valve chose Linux as the foundation for SteamOS, and now NVIDIA appears interested in strengthening its position there too, with two open roles tied directly to Linux graphics and Vulkan performance.

The listings specifically reference a “Senior System Software Engineer, Vulkan Performance” and a “Linux Graphics Senior Software Engineer.” That is not accidental wording. It suggests targeted effort rather than casual support.

As Windows becomes heavier and more locked down, as noted by VideoCardz, it is not surprising that NVIDIA might want to broaden its focus beyond Satya Nadella’s Windows 11. NVIDIA GPUs do function the best on Linux today, and the experience has often required more setup and troubleshooting compared to AMD, which tends to work more seamlessly out of the box.

More operating system support is rarely a negative. Many users will welcome the idea of NVIDIA taking Linux more seriously.

It is still early, and Linux with NVIDIA hardware still has significant hurdles to overcome before it can meaningfully dent any Windows usage. That said, if driver support continues improving and Proton keeps maturing, the gap may narrow faster than some expect. Windows 11 could still course correct, but the competitive pressure is clearly building.

🗨️ How do you feel about NVIDIA taking Linux more seriously?

Do you think NVIDIA’s hiring push signals a serious shift toward Linux gaming, or is Windows still firmly in control? Let us know in the comments and make sure to take part in our poll below:

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I use Windows 11 every day. I write about it for a living. I know its specifics, its strengths, and its habit of shipping "helpful" features nobody asked for.

But now and then, I boot into Linux. Not to recompile a kernel or show off command-line skills. Just to use it and stay in the loop. However, the same thought keeps coming back. Windows 11 is polished and user-friendly, but Linux still does some things better, quietly and without making a big deal out of it.

This isn't my story on how I ditched "Windows." This operating system is still the better choice for most people, especially if you care about app compatibility, games, and hardware support. However, pretending Linux doesn't outshine Windows 11 in a few important areas doesn't help.

So this is a reality check. Linux isn't for everyone, but there are places where it simply gets out of the way and lets you work. And in 2026, that still matters.

In this guide, I'll highlight five ways Linux is better than Windows 11.

Reasons for Linux being better than Linux

These are the five areas where it can be argued that Linux is better than Windows.

1. Cost without catch

Linux is free. Not "free for now." Not "free unless you want basic features later." It's just free.

There's no license key. No activation screen. No tiered editions where useful features are blocked behind a paywall. You download it, install it, and that's it.

On Windows 11, the story is different because the one seat can cost as much as $139 for the Home edition, and you can pay up to $199 for the Pro edition.

Now, if you purchase a new device, Windows 11 will come pre-installed "free" of charge, but the cost will continue to be there in different forms. For example, in the form of hardware upgrades, account requirements, and feature segmentation. Linux avoids this entirely. You are not the product, the upsell, or the future subscription.

However, I do want to leave a note in the section stating that, even though Linux is technically free, some distributions do cost money. For example, Zorin OS has a free version, but if you want access to more advanced and premium features, you'll have to pay for the Pro edition ($47.99). However, if you choose Linux Mint, then this distro is completely free.

2. Hardware requirements that respect reality

Linux runs on machines that Windows 11 would rather forget existed. For example, older laptops, low-end desktops, and systems with limited memory or aging processors. Linux does not shame them. Actually, Linux has the tendency to thrive on older hardware.

Windows 11's hardware requirements make sense from a security and platform perspective, but they still leave many perfectly functional computers behind. Linux, by contrast, meets hardware where it is, not where marketing wants it to be.

If your computer still turns on and has a keyboard, Linux probably has an opinion about how to make it useful.

3. Control and customization that actually means control

Windows 11 lets you customize things, but always within carefully defined limits. On the other hand, Linux is built around choice. It is the point.

On Linux, you can pick from completely different desktop environments, each with its own personality and workflow. GNOME is sleek and modern, focused on simplicity. KDE Plasma is loaded with options and tweaks if you like controlling every little detail. XFCE or LXQt are lightweight and fast, perfect for older hardware.

In addition, if you want to go even deeper, there are window managers like i3, dwm, Fluxbox, Hyprland, and AwesomeWM that let you design your workflow from the ground up, often without a traditional desktop at all.

Beyond the look, Linux lets you control system behavior, startup processes, theming, and workflows. You're not just toggling features. You're shaping how the operating system works.

You don't have to use all of that control. Most people stick to one desktop and call it a day. However, knowing this level of control exists changes the dynamic. Linux doesn't assume it knows better than you. Windows 11 often does.

4. No AI features to manage, disable, or avoid

Linux does not try to write your emails, summarize your files, or analyze your screenshots. It does not install background AI services and then make you hunt through settings to turn them off, or half-turn them off.

There is no Copilot, no "assistant" constantly nudging you, no banners telling you that cloud processing might improve your experience. You don't get constant reminders that the operating system thinks it knows what you need.

If you want AI on Linux, you'll have to add it yourself. You can install a local model or use a tool that leverages the integration. It's entirely your choice, on your terms. The system doesn't assume you want it, and it won't keep running or prompting you in the background without your knowledge.

Sometimes the best features are the ones that aren't there. Freedom here means more than customization. It's quiet, invisible, and free of unnecessary interruptions.

5. Minimal telemetry and privacy by design

In the world of Linux, telemetry (the automatic collection and transmission of usage data) is a sensitive topic. Unlike Windows or macOS, where telemetry is deeply integrated and often mandatory, Linux is built on a philosophy of user control and transparency.

When telemetry exists, it is usually disclosed and optional. You can see what data is collected, why it exists, and how to turn it off. Privacy is treated as the default, not an advanced setting buried three menus deep.

Windows 11 collects data to improve the product, but it's not very transparent about how that data is used. The settings are scattered, change over time, and mostly ask users to trust that everything is fine.

At the end of the day

Linux isn't perfect. It has quirks, rough edges, and a learning curve that can be intimidating if you're used to Windows 11 or any other version. However, these five areas show why it still quietly outperforms Windows 11 in certain ways, including freedom without friction, respect for older hardware, true control, no pushy AI, and privacy by default.

Using Linux isn't about ditching Windows. It's about knowing there's another approach. One where the system gets out of your way, doesn't assume it knows better than you, and gives you the power to decide how it works.

So the next time you feel boxed in by Windows 11's rules, remember that Linux exists.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Where do you land on this debate. If you’ve tried Linux, what did it do better for you, and if you’re sticking with Windows 11, what keeps you there.

Drop your experiences below — especially the pain points and the wins — because they tell a much clearer story than any benchmark or feature list ever could.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Microsoft's Visual Studio Code is one of the most popular coding apps around, with the added benefit of being cross-platform.

Unfortunately, on Ubuntu, there's a pretty nasty bug occurring with the official Snap package delivered via Canonical's store.

As highlighted by How To Geek, the bug regards deleted files not being properly sent to the system trash, and, over time, building up to potentially sizable chunks of storage space being eaten alive.

Per How To Geek:

"When you delete a file or folder in Visual Studio Code, the data is usually moved to your system's trash directory or recycle bin. That way, you can restore the file if needed, at least until you empty the trash. However, when Visual Studio Code is installed as a Snap package on a Linux computer, the file is moved to a trash folder within the Snap package, instead of the system trash bin."

This behavior conflicts with the system trash, in so much as when that's emptied, the VS Code trash is not. This can lead to it sitting, filling up over time.

The issue was first reported back in November 2024, with users becoming aware that potentially hundreds of gigabytes of their storage were being held hostage by the Snap package's trash that they'd been unaware of.

We're now in 2026 and the issue remains. The affected directory can be found by navigating to ~/snap/code/current/.local/share/Trash.

So, if you've been using the official Snap package version of VS Code on Ubuntu, what can you do? The easiest solution is to stop. Microsoft offers installers for all major versions of Linux, so for Ubuntu, you can grab the .deb one from the official download page.

There is also a .rpm version if you're on something like Fedora, and an unofficial Flatpak package, too.

In the grand scheme this bug is probably small fry, but the fact it's been left unattended for over a year isn't a good look for the VS Code team. Another day we're hearing about bugs in Microsoft software. It'd be nice to hear less of these.

NVIDIA's GeForce NOW announced a native Linux app at CES earlier this year, following similar plans in 2025 when it revealed a Steam Deck app at the same show. Now, it's expanding to more traditional desktop distributions, starting with the Debian-based Ubuntu (24.04 and later).

We already saw NVIDIA update its cloud-based gaming rigs to RTX 5080 GPUs last year, supporting up to 5K rendering at 120 FPS or 1080p at 360 FPS with low-latency streaming. At least this time, it's about something more exciting than supplementing the lower-end graphics capabilities of smart TVs and handhelds.

If you've never tried GeForce NOW, it's the same as how Xbox Cloud Gaming lets you rent a remote console to stream Microsoft's games, except you're borrowing a high-end gaming PC from an NVIDIA server that's closest to you. That, and you get access to multiple digital libraries in one combined view, including Steam and PC Game Pass.

Testing GeForce NOW for myself

It's viable to use GeForce NOW just for free-to-play games like Fortnite, and that's part of what makes this Linux build so interesting: it's an answer to popular titles that are lacking native ports. That, and I could even connect my Battle.net account to stream World of Warcraft on practically any device at this point if I desperately need to hand in some daily quests.

I'm particularly happy to say that GeForce NOW's overall responsiveness is getting eerily good. It's actually living up to the low-latency hyperbole I've heard from its advertising over the years, and faster games are now totally playable. Before, I'd mostly relied on cloud gaming for turn-based RPGs and other slow-paced titles, but this is seriously changing my habits.

I did test it on another distro besides Ubuntu (and SteamOS), but Bazzite isn't there yet. GeForce NOW loads and logs in, but it's unstable, and an error forces the app to close after a minute. Not a huge deal for me, since the majority of my cloud gaming is on my much-loved Steam Deck, but I'll keep trying.

In particular, it's the mouse and keyboard latency that I want to test after these GeForce NOW upgrades, and Linux might as well be the testing ground. I'm in no danger of hitting NVIDIA's 100-hour streaming limit, so I'm happy to boot up the same game (or any other) over and over again to see how it compares to running PC games natively in Windows.

For now, if you're running Ubuntu and you have an active GeForce NOW account, you could give it a shot with the free tier, which offers 1-hour play sessions as a kind of trial experience. On other distros, your experience will vary, since they won't be officially supported. Then again, most enthusiast-grade Linux users won't care about that and see it as more of a challenge than a roadblock — let me know in the comments if you find success.

Do you ever use NVIDIA GeForce NOW to stream PC games over the cloud? Let me know in the comments if the poll doesn't quite fit your answer, or if you know something interesting about it that I don't!

Is Windows or Linux better for PC gaming? Not a question I'd expect to have answered a few years ago, as the latter was barely brought up in conversation among your usual players. That's different now, especially since Valve's Steam Deck changed the conversation by introducing SteamOS and Proton, a double-edged sword of a Linux distribution and a Windows code compatibility layer.

The short answer is that Bazzite is Linux. Specifically, it's an open-source distro based on Fedora, rather than Arch, which is the basis for SteamOS. If, like me, you never strayed from Windows for the majority of your life, then a bunch of those terms will sound like complete nonsense jargon — and I agree.

There are pros and cons to choosing Linux over Windows, and I'll go into the details of each. For the most part, you'll find they are extremely similar for the purpose of PC gaming, especially if you ever used a Steam Deck or Steam's Big Picture Mode on a desktop PC or laptop. I've been dual-booting Windows 11 and Fedora KDE Linux for a while now, but Bazzite is seriously tempting me.

Is Bazzite better than Windows?

If you choose the KDE desktop environment for Bazzite, the desktop and overall UI will feel quite familiar, but deciding whether Windows or Linux is better for you depends on a few factors, including your favorite games and software. Some apps in Linux will behave as you would expect in Windows 10 or 11, while others require more effort if they don't have a native build.

That "effort" mostly boils down to launching Windows-native applications through a compatibility layer, usually with Proton via Steam for games, but it also works with some software. For example, you could use the "Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library" feature in the pre-installed Steam desktop app in Bazzite and reasonably expect "Proton Experimental" to launch it.

On the other hand, some games rely on some kernel-level anti-cheat methods that aren't not supported on Linux and will not work on Bazzite. A few popular examples include Fortnite, Battlefield 6, Valorant, and Call of Duty — you can check the status of specific games on community-driven websites like "Are We Anti-Cheat Yet?", with notes on which anti-cheat method they use.

Bazzite is immutable — what does that mean?

Immutable means unchangeable; a distro that keeps the core system files protected from the user. It isn't attractive to all Linux enthusiasts, particularly those who want fine control over their PC. Still, it helps prevent novices from accidentally breaking their OS, and Bazzite is geared more towards gamers using Steam and other launchers, such as GOG or the Epic Games Store via Lutris.

When you install an app on Bazzite, it's contained in its own safe space (literally, it's called a container), while the rest of the operating system is set to read-only and can't be permanently changed. Otherwise, standard user folders for documents, pictures, videos, and other downloads are writable and behave the same way Windows does.

Bazzite comes pre-installed with a searchable 'Bazaar,' which isn't too dissimilar from the Microsoft Store on Windows. Here, you'll find a selection of curated 'flatpak' software in containers, including popular PC game launchers like Heroic and retro console emulators like RetroArch. If the software you need isn't included, you can still install it with Distrobox via the Kontainer app.

Is Bazzite good for gaming?

Even in this kind of broken-down, simplified explanation, there are still a wealth of questions that Windows users will want to ask, and I asked many of them myself. At the surface, Bazzite is excellent for gaming, as it simplifies the PC experience by removing many unnecessary apps and services, leading users almost directly to Steam and its alternative launchers, which provide ready-made compatibility layers.

However, whether it's suitable as a complete replacement for Windows 11 is a far more nuanced topic, one which leans toward "no," at least in my opinion. Missing some of the world's most popular PC games is a valid deal-breaker, and while Bazzite makes it easier for the average user, there's still a variable learning curve for Linux.

The differences between an executable .exe file in Windows and the variety of package managers across Linux distros are an early shock for some, and the need to tinker between different Proton versions, including third-party GE-Proton efforts, can be a turn-off for casual PC gamers.

Nevertheless, it's the best gaming-centric distribution I've tested so far as a lifelong Windows user, though it's far from the only one, as CachyOS is trending in a similar fashion. For now, it's close enough to the experience that Fedora KDE was delivering, and I see no reason to hop to any other distro just yet.

Ultimately, Windows 11 stays on top, but Linux is ferociously catching up among gamers. It still has a long way to go before "The Year of the Linux Desktop" has a chance of becoming a reality, but solid efforts like Bazzite almost certainly help the notion, as disgruntled Windows 10 users are losing support for their PCs while Linux remains compatible.

Adobe's world-famous Photoshop and other parts of its larger Creative Cloud suite are starting to function on Linux distributions via tweaks to the WINE compatibility layer. Curiously enough, developer "Phiality" initially has a GitHub pull request for Valve's fork of WINE in mind, built for its Proton layer in SteamOS and hardware like the well-loved Steam Deck gaming handheld (via Reddit).

Essentially, this means that Steam, the PC gaming launcher and storefront, makes it easier for Adobe users to work around an incompatibility roadblock and extend their workflow to Linux, rather than falling back on Windows 11 or macOS. Right now, this is extremely unofficial and has no involvement from Valve, and can be done without Steam at all, but it shows promise nonetheless.

Phiality's contributions to WINE target incompatibilities with Windows-centric 'mshtml' and 'msxml3' dependencies and core services that, at least so far, have hampered the ability to use Adobe's apps on Linux outside of a virtual machine. Now, the Creative Cloud appears to run with the latest release and has been tested "with Photoshop 2021 and 2025."

Update on the Adobe CC Installers Patch - Now the Collection Installer works too from r/linux_gaming

It sounds like a small hurdle, but overcoming issues where Adobe's installer expects missing parts of Microsoft's OS could open the floodgates to a wide variety of its apps running closer to natively on Linux. It's a big reason for keeping some users, including myself, in a dual-boot setup with Windows 11, and certain professions still demand the use of its Creative Cloud over any alternatives.

That might not be the case forever, as more users in creative fields are seemingly choosing artificial intelligence and generative AI models for visual work. Adobe's share price is already falling, and software-as-a-service in general is struggling to compete with the convenience and near-undetectable results of tools like Google's Nano Banana Pro, overtaking even ChatGPT's DALL-E.

Still, more platform choices for Photoshop only benefit the average consumer — Windows 11 is still my primary operating system, but Linux played a bigger role in my life throughout 2025 and remains a convenient (and free) alternative when I need it. While alternatives like GIMP and Krita offer native image editing software for Linux, Adobe still holds an undeniable advantage in the industry, and I'll be watching this development with a keen eye.

Do you use any of Adobe's Creative Cloud apps? Or have you already found an alternative that works for you? Let me know in the comments to give me an idea of how mainstream Photoshop is in 2026.

Opera GX, a gaming-focused web browser known for poking fun at rival browsers on X (formerly Twitter), is set to arrive on Linux this year.

Linux adoption has been steadily rising as frustration grows around Microsoft’s push to embed AI deeper into Windows. That shift has helped drive strong growth for several Linux distributions, including Zorin OS, which has now passed 2 million installations, with more than a third of new users coming from Windows.

Against that backdrop, Opera GX has confirmed via a post on X that it is actively working on a native Linux version of its browser, which, of course, will bring the browser to the Steam Deck. It marks yet another notable step forward for Linux gamers and power users alike.

What Linux users can realistically expect from Opera GX

For those unfamiliar with Opera GX, the browser offers a wide range of gaming-focused tools. These include the ability to manage RAM, CPU, and network usage, alongside built-in Discord and Twitch integration.

While it is clearly aimed at gamers, Opera GX still works well as an everyday browser. As someone who avoids Chrome and currently uses Edge, the increasing push around Copilot has me reconsidering that choice. A Linux version of Opera GX, or even a switch to something like Brave, is becoming a far more appealing option.

We may not have to wait long for Opera GX to land on Linux, as it has also announced a Q1 2026 release window for the browser.

The announcement arrived in typical Opera GX fashion, appearing as a quote repost of a post discussing Microsoft’s plans to integrate Copilot directly into File Explorer on Windows 11. It created a clear contrast with Microsoft’s direction for Windows, particularly as more AI features continue to be introduced across the operating system.

For decades, Microsoft’s OS has been the default home for PC gamers, but moves like this show momentum building elsewhere. Whether Linux becomes a true alternative or simply a niche with better tools, the message is clear: Windows’ monopoly on gaming attention is no longer absolute, and the cracks are starting to show.

Do you see Opera GX coming to Linux as a genuine sign of growing momentum for the platform, or is it still too early to call it a turning point? Share your thoughts by commenting and taking part in our poll below:

Another day, and another person exhausted with Windows. This time, it is GOG’s new owner, Michał Kiciński, who recently took control of the storefront after its split from CD Projekt Red.

Kiciński was one of the original founders of CD Projekt Red and now owns GOG outright. Like many PC gamers, he has grown frustrated with Windows, and while I still use the OS for the same reason, it is hard to disagree with much of what he says here.

In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Kiciński and GOG managing director Maciej Gołębiewski shared their views on Windows, Linux, and where the storefront is heading next. Here is what they had to say.

What Kiciński actually said about Windows

In the interview with PC Gamer, Kiciński directly described Windows as poor quality software, stating: "I'm really surprised at Windows. It's such poor-quality software and product, and I'm so surprised that it's [spent] so many years on the market. I can't believe it!"

A few years ago, I would have disagreed. Lately, with AI being stuffed into every possible corner and Copilot even being potentially baked into File Explorer, it is hard not to see where he is coming from.

That was not all, however. Kiciński also said he no longer uses Windows himself and has switched to macOS instead. That suggests the frustrations were serious enough to push him to another operating system, something we are also seeing more users do with Linux.

Perhaps even more awkward for Windows is that Kiciński now only interacts with it when helping family members. As he put it: "I sometimes have to fix my mum's computer or my father's computer with Windows, [and] like, it's unbelievable…" I am also the tech person in my family, so I get asked to fix PCs a lot, which can add to the frustration.

Windows fatigue is creating an opening for Linux

These comments also tap into a much wider frustration across PC gaming right now. PC Gamer's piece links Kiciński’s remarks to growing anger over Windows pushing AI features, constant upselling, and services that many users never asked for, all of which have become part of the backlash against Microsoft, or as some are now calling it, Microslop.

That context also helps explain why Linux is suddenly more relevant to GOG. It was Gołębiewski who said Linux is something it is now looking at, even if it has not hard committed to anything yet.

By calling out Windows so openly, Kiciński is effectively acknowledging that many players are looking for alternatives, which makes platforms like Linux more important for any PC storefront that wants to stay competitive.

What makes this stand out is just how blunt he was. It is not every day that the owner of a major PC game store openly criticises Windows in such direct terms, which is why these comments have drawn so much attention.

Do you agree with GOG’s new owner about Windows, and would better Linux support make you more likely to use the platform? Share your thoughts in the comments and take part in our poll below:

Zorin OS is a Linux distro designed as an alternative to Windows and macOS. Over the past three months, it has seen an impressive influx of Windows users, likely driven by Windows 10 reaching end of life and Linux becoming a more appealing platform as Microsoft continues to push AI deeper into Windows and its wider ecosystem.

One of Linux’s biggest strengths is how widely it supports different hardware. Unlike Windows 11, it is not locked behind requirements like TPM 2.0, which leaves a large number of still capable PCs unable to upgrade. For many users, that makes Linux an increasingly attractive fallback, since it lets them keep using hardware that still works instead of being forced into buying something new just to stay secure and supported.

Zorin OS 18 is capitalizing on Windows 10’s forced retirement

It is no surprise to see Zorin OS 18 making the most of Windows 10 reaching end of life. The update for the Linux distro released on the same day Windows 10 lost support from Microsoft, and it has since seen over 2 million downloads in under three months, with around 75% coming from Windows 10 and Windows 11 users. The group behind the distro has described it as the biggest release in the project’s history.

It also helps that Zorin OS is often described as the Linux distro best suited for Windows users, which could also describe the influx of users.

While this is not a clear sign that everyone is switching full-time, it does show a growing interest in trying alternatives to Windows. For many users, that curiosity is being driven by frustration with unwanted AI features and the increasing amount of bloatware built into Microsoft’s platform.

Zorin OS is not the only Linux distro seeing growth. Steam’s hardware survey shows Linux usage climbing, with the latest data reporting a 0.38% increase, bringing Linux to a 3.58% share of installs. Windows still dominates with a 94.23% share among Steam users, so Linux has a long way to go.

You can check out Zorin OS's homepage for more information.

Have you tried Zorin OS or another Linux distro? Share your experience and let us know by commenting or taking part in our poll below:

The Legion Go 2 launched in October 2025 as a Windows 11 PC gaming handheld. A few months later, at CES 2026, Lenovo revealed it was launching an official SteamOS version of the Legion Go 2, like the Steam Deck, only with more premium features and internals.

RELATED: Legion Go 2 (Windows) review | Steam Deck review

For those of you unsure of which of the operating systems to choose from when buying Legion Go 2, I've spent some time comparing these two devices and explaining their differences. Let's dive in and discuss how they compare.

TL:DR: Look for the TL;DR sections to get the highlights for each category.

Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Specs

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Pricing

As of right now, we know that the Windows version of the Legion Go 2 has a lower $1,049.99 starting price compared to the SteamOS version's $1,199.99 starting MSRP.

Outside of their operating systems, these handhelds are largely the same, with the same layouts, buttons, processor options, displays, and ports.

It's honestly a bit surprising that the SteamOS version costs more, given that the Windows version of the Legion Go S has a higher price than the SteamOS version.

TL;DR: PRICE WINNER: Surprisingly, the Windows version of the Legion Go 2 has a lower starting price than the SteamOS version.

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Performance

NOTE: I will conduct performance benchmark testing on the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) when I get my hands on it and will update this section as soon as possible. For now, this section utilizes official spec information for educated analysis.

Despite the Windows and SteamOS versions of the Legion Go 2 having the same Ryzen Z2 Series handheld processors and capacity options when it comes to memory and storage, it's likely that the SteamOS versions will run more efficiently.

RELATED: All AMD handheld chips and how they compare

This is due to the fact that SteamOS is far more optimized for handhelds than Microsoft's operating system. Where Windows 11 is bogged down by bloat and extra background processes, SteamOS is more focused, allowing it to take up less power.

As an example, previous benchmarks showed that the rival Xbox Ally X offered better performance running SteamOS than it did running the Windows 11 it ships with. As such, it stands to reason the Legion Go 2 will also perform better with SteamOS.

TL;DR: PERFORMANCE WINNER: I'll have to run tests to know for sure, but it's very likely that the SteamOS version of the Legion Go 2 will offer better performance.

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Display

Both the SteamOS and Windows versions of the Legion Go 2 feature an 8.8-inch OLED touchscreen that tops at a crisp 1920x1200 resolution, a high 144Hz refresh rate, and offers VRR (variable refresh rate) support.

Altogether, they offer a fantastic color range and contrast with detailed visuals and smooth motion clarity.

As I noted in my Legion Go 2 (Windows) review, this is the best handheld display to date.

TL;DR: DISPLAY WINNER: It's a tie. Both the Windows and SteamOS versions have the same OLED display.

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Controls and ports

There is no difference in the general layout between the SteamOS and Windows versions of the Legion Go 2. However, the SteamOS version does show the same game icons for the buttons that the Steam Deck uses.

Both handhelds have offset Hall Effect joysticks that won't develop stick drift, detachable controllers, and a touchpad under the right joystick. They both also have a right controller that has an FPS Mode, allowing the controller to act somewhat like a mouse when dragged around a surface.

I've personally used the FPS Mode for better control in certain games as well as to navigate my cursor around Windows 11 menus, programs, and Google Chrome. I'm guessing FPS Mode will work well in certain games on the SteamOS handheld and in the Desktop Mode. However, I'm not sure how well it will work in SteamOS's handheld mode. I'll be sure to check that out when I review the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS).

On top of the Legion Go 2 is an RGB circle, in the shape of the Legion logo, and at its center is a fingerprint reader that works very well on the Windows handheld. The thing is, this fingerprint reader is also located on the SteamOS version, but it cannot be used since SteamOS doesn't natively support this biometric login technology.

What about ports?

Port-wise, both Legion Go 2 versions offer an audio jack, a microSD card reader that supports up to 2TB, and two USB4 Type-C ports.

Thanks to DisplayPort support, both handhelds can be connected to a docking station and displayed on a TV or monitor. You'll just need to make sure you get a 65W docking station or higher in order for it to be compatible.

TL;DR: CONTROLS & PORTS WINNER: While the buttons, joysticks, and ports are the same between these devices, it's possible that FPS mode is limited on SteamOS and that the fingerprint reader is only supported on the Windows version, which makes Windows the winner here.

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Software and games

As the names imply, the biggest difference between the Legion Go 2 versions is that one runs the Linux-based SteamOS while the other runs Windows 11.

Out of the box, SteamOS's handheld mode is intended to only access your Steam library of games, but as I explained in my Decky Loader guide, this plug-in makes it easier to access other game services like Battle.net, Epic Games, and more.

Meanwhile, the Windows version is far less optimized for handhelds; it literally operates like a Windows laptop or desktop, which has two main problems: First, many people find the Windows interface to be too convoluted for handhelds compared to the SteamOS interface's console-like simplicity. Second, Windows has far more bloat, with unnecessary programs (for handhelds) and extra processes running in the background. This bloat can slow the handheld down and make it work less efficiently, so it's good to uninstall unneeded programs.

These are some of the reasons why Windows handheld owners have opted to switch to SteamOS or the console-like experience of Bazzite.

Of course, the Xbox Ally X's Xbox Full Screen Experience (Xbox FSE) recently rolled out onto Legion Go 2 (Windows). This mode transforms Windows into more of a console-like interface using the Xbox App; it's an experience that's more akin to the feel of SteamOS, and it also reduces background programs to help Windows handhelds run more smoothly. Xbox FSE isn't quite where I want it to be yet, but Microsoft does have plans to improve it in 2026, so Xbox FSE could get even better this year.

It's also easier to update the SteamOS version and its software by going between your game library and the SteamOS system settings. Meanwhile, you'll need to move between Windows settings, your game services, specific games, AMD Software, and Lenovo Space to keep your Windows handheld and its games up to date.

However, there is a lot of good that comes with Windows as well. You can easily access a web browser, other gaming services, and download programs right out of the box if you know how to use Windows.

Then there's the game compatibility issue.

It's worth noting that the vast majority of PC games are specifically designed for Windows. SteamOS gets around this by using Proton, a compatibility layer, to make Windows games run on Linux. While Proton continues to get better every year, some games still aren't compatible with Proton and thus don't run well or don't run at all on SteamOS handhelds unless you do a lot of tweaking. Even then, there isn't always a guarantee that games will work on SteamOS.

As an example, many competitive multiplayer games require the use of an anti-cheat system to play, but most anti-cheat kernel-level drivers, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's RICOCHET, aren't supported on SteamOS. People have found workarounds, but it's possible a game's anti-cheat could incorrectly flag these fixes and ban your account. This being the case, it's typically safer to play anti-cheat games on Windows devices.

In case you didn't know, you can connect a mouse and keyboard to both the SteamOS and Windows versions and then use them like a typical Linux or Windows computer. I've specifically used my Legion Go 2 to access various non-gaming programs, type up articles for work, and browse the internet using my Artciety Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard with a built-in touchpad ($34.99 at Amazon).

You'll really need to consider what games you intend to play on the Legion Go 2 and then determine whether SteamOS or Windows will do a better job of allowing you to play those titles.

TL;DR: SOFTWARE & GAMES WINNER: We've got a few tradeoffs here. SteamOS is better optimized for handhelds than Windows, and it offers a better console-like interface. However, certain games and most anti-cheat systems do not run well on SteamOS; more games are compatible with Windows.

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Battery life

Both the Windows and SteamOS versions of the Legion Go 2 offer a 74Wh battery. That said, the SteamOS version likely lasts longer on one charge since its operating system is more efficient, is better optimized for handhelds, and has less bloat (like we previously discussed).

I won't know what Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) battery life is like until I do my own battery testing. That said, my previous Legion Go 2 (Windows) battery tests showed that it tends to run for 1.5 to slightly more than five hours, depending on settings.

Now, the SteamOS version has those same power-hungry Z2 processors, so it likely only runs a bit longer than the Windows version.

I'll update this section as soon as I can run a Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) through battery testing.

TL;DR: BATTERY LIFE WINNER: I won't know for sure until I can do testing, but it's likely that the SteamOS version lasts longer.

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Grip ergonomics and comfort

The same ergonomic design and shape are at play with both the SteamOS and Windows Legion Go 2.

They are 11.64 inches long, 5.38 inches tall, and 1.66 inches thick, making them some of the largest handhelds on the market. Unsurprisingly, they're also some of the heaviest, ranging between 2.03 and 2.2 pounds depending on configurations.

But your hands and wrists shouldn't cry out just yet. Remember, the detachable controllers are only 0.46 pounds, so you can put the controller in tabletop mode if you tend to experience wrist fatigue.

TL;DR: COMFORT WINNER: We have a tie. Both versions are the same when it comes to ergonomics, dimensions, and weight.

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Comparison chart

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Legion Go 2: SteamOS vs Windows — Which should I buy?

In all honesty, both the Windows and the SteamOS versions of the Legion Go 2 could make for the perfect handheld, depending on what you want from your portable gaming device.

Generally, more people will likely prefer the SteamOS version due to its console-like interface and efficiency, but Windows can be a better fit for certain use cases.

In the end, choose the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) if you want a handheld that feels more like a dedicated gaming system than a full-blown PC. SteamOS is also a preferred option thanks to how efficiently it runs without unnecessary bloat.

Meanwhile, choose the Legion Go 2 (Windows) if you tend to play games with anti-cheat systems or other titles that don't run well on SteamOS. Alternatively, you might want to go with the Windows version if you want to use your handheld like a Windows gaming laptop or desktop, for school, work, or personal tasks.

NOTE: If you need a handheld right now, you're kind of out of luck, unless you're willing to give in to scalpers. The Windows Legion Go 2 has been out of stock at most retailers for a couple of months, and the SteamOS version doesn't launch until June 2026.

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The Steam Deck was the only official SteamOS PC gaming handheld for several years, until the Lenovo Legion Go S — Powered by SteamOS entered the ring. Now, Lenovo has announced that its flagship handheld is also getting a new version, the Legion Go 2 — Powered by SteamOS.

Once this device launches, buyers will have the choice of going with either a Windows 11 Legion Go 2 or a SteamOS one.

RELATED: Legion Go 2 (Windows) review | Steam Deck review

But how does the new Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) actually stack up against the Steam Deck? I've compared these two devices in a number of different categories, based on available specs, to find out.

TL:DR: Look for the TL;DR sections to get the highlights for each section.

Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Specs

TL;DR SPECS WINNER: There's no doubt about it. The Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) offers far more impressive specs. However, its starting price isn't at all budget-friendly, unlike the Steam Deck OLED.

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Price & value

Recently, the Steam Deck LCD 256GB (2022) was discontinued (like the Steam Deck LCD 64GB before it) — its $399.00 starting price had made it Valve's most affordable handheld for a while. But even with Valve removing this entry-level option, the Steam Deck OLED is still more affordable than the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS).

You can get the Steam Deck OLED with either 512GB of storage for $549.00 at Steam or 1TB of storage for $649.00 at Steam. Meanwhile, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) has a starting price of $1,199.00 — that's more than double the starting price of the Steam Deck OLED.

Additionally, the Steam Deck OLEDs are currently available for purchase, while the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) isn't expected to ship until June 2026. As such, you'll have to wait a while before you can get your hands on this new official SteamOS handheld.

TL;DR: PRICE WINNER: In terms of affordability, the Steam Deck OLED is by far the better budget buy. Its starting price is less than double the starting price of the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS). The Legion Go 2 is more costly, but it does give you more features.

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Performance

NOTE: I will conduct performance benchmark testing on the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) when I get my hands on it and will update this section as soon as possible. For now, this section utilizes official spec information for educated analysis.

Now, some of you are far more interested in the performance of a handheld than its price, so let's dive into how the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) performs versus the Steam Deck OLED.

Performance is a tricky thing, especially when it comes to handhelds. It's determined, not only by how powerful the internals are, but by how well the system of hardware works with the software it's running.

On paper, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) offers a much, much more powerful APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) — an AMD SoC (system on chip) that combines a CPU (central processing unit) and GPU (graphics processing unit) for better efficiency to fit a smaller form factor.

The Legion Go 2 (SteamOS)'s Ryzen Z2 Extreme's CPU utilizes eight cores and 16 threads using the latest Zen 5 architecture, while the GPU has 16 cores and utilizes RDNA3.5, which is the latest architecture for integrated GPUs.

In comparison, the Steam Deck OLED only has half of the CPU threads and cores (4C, 8T) and half the GPU cores (8C), while using older architecture for both. Having more cores and threads allows a processor to work more efficiently and take on more work at once, which is important for gaming performance.

RELATED: All AMD handheld chips and how they compare

Then there's also the fact that the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) with 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD can have up to double the memory and storage space of the Steam Deck OLED with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD. This not only gives the Legion Go 2 room for more games but also allows the system to access data quickly, theoretically resulting in faster loading and saving times.

One last thing to note is that the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) supports VRR (variable refresh rate) while the Steam Deck does not. This is an important distinction since VRR reduces screen tearing and helps games play more smoothly. So even motion clarity is likely better on the Lenovo's handheld.

What this all means is that the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) can take on more graphically intensive tasks than the Steam Deck can handle. As an example, some AAA games might not run well on Steam Deck or might not boot at all, but it's possible that those same games could run well on Legion Go 2 (SteamOS), depending on system requirements.

That all said, we'll have to see how well the Legion Go 2 specifically plays with SteamOS. My guess is that it will be a major performance improvement over the Legion Go 2 (Windows), given that SteamOS has a lot less bloatware and extra processes going on in the background.

What's more, previous benchmarks showed that the rival Xbox Ally X offered better performance with SteamOS than it did with its shipped Windows 11, so it stands to reason the Legion Go 2 will perform better with SteamOS as well.

As far as upgradability goes, I'm willing to bet that the Steam Deck is easier to upgrade than the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS). When I reviewed the Windows version of the Legion Go 2, I took a look inside of it and noted that it hadn't really been designed with easy upgradability in mind, so I'm guessing the same is true of the SteamOS option.

TL;DR: PERFORMANCE WINNER: The Legion Go 2's AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip is far more powerful than the Steam Deck's custom AMD chip. Lenovo's handheld also offers more memory and storage. All of this together means that the Legion Go 2 should be able to run games that the Steam Deck cannot.

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Display

This is another area where the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) absolutely dominates.

The Steam Deck OLED has a 7.4-inch OLED touchscreen, but it tops out at 1280x800 resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, which is pretty limited by today's handheld standards.

Meanwhile, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) has a notably larger OLED display that measures in at 8.8 inches. When side-by-side with a Steam Deck OLED, this screen size difference feels massive and allows you to make out more details in your games.

On top of that, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) has a wider color gamut for richer hues and better contrast. It can also hit a higher resolution of up to 1920x1200, providing much crisper imagery for you to view, while a 144Hz refresh rate and the previously mentioned VRR support reduce motion blur and provide smoother visuals.

It's worth noting that the Legion Go 2's display isn't just better than the Steam Deck's display; it's also the best handheld display to date.

TL;DR: DISPLAY WINNER: There is no debate here. The Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) OLED display is better than the Steam Deck OLED in every way, including higher resolution, refresh rate, color range, size, and VRR support.

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Controls and ports

Controls and ports are where the Steam Deck and Legion Go 2 really show their physical differences.

They have the same general layout with joysticks on either side, ABXY buttons on the right, D-Pad on the left, bumpers, triggers, four back buttons, and a smattering of system and game buttons.

These controls mostly all function the same. In fact, the SteamOS version of the Legion Go 2 shows the same symbols on the buttons that the Steam Deck OLED does. So there shouldn't be any confusion on that score.

Now for the differences.

Perhaps the most important difference here is that the Legion Go 2 has offset Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, while the Steam Deck has inline analog joysticks. This means that the Legion Go 2 won't experience stick drift, but the Steam Deck might.

Another thing to note is that the Steam Deck OLED offers two touchpads, one under each joystick, while the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) only has one slightly smaller touchpad under the right joystick. To be fair, many people only end up using the right touchpad, but you might be an outlier with your preferences, so it's something to consider.

The biggest control difference between these handhelds is that the Legion Go 2 offers detachable controllers (Legion TrueStrike controllers), like the Nintendo Switch 2. You simply press a button on the back of the controllers and pull them down to remove them. Since the Legion Go 2 has a built-in kickstand, you can take the controllers in hand and play while the tablet part is propped up on its own on a table.

But wait, there's more; another feature the Steam Deck doesn't offer.

The Legion Go 2's right controller has an FPS (first-person shooter) switch on the bottom and comes with a magnetic stand. When this switch is toggled, and the controller is placed in that stand, the right gamepad can be moved around on a surface, a lot like a mouse, to navigate game menus or even be used for first-person shooters.

Both of the Legion Go 2's controllers also feature USB-C ports so they can be charged separately, if desired. But they also charge if they're connected to the Legion Go 2 while it's plugged in and charging.

Something to note is that the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS)'s power button also doubles as a fingerprint reader. However, SteamOS does not natively support this biometric login feature, so it's unusable on this handheld. Of course, this also explains why the Steam Deck doesn't have a fingerprint reader.

What about ports?

When it comes to ports, the Steam Deck OLED is modest, but it gives you all the basics you need. There's one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, one microSD card reader, and one audio jack.

In comparison, the Legion Go 2 also has an audio jack and a microSD card reader. It differs in that it has two USB4 Type-C ports, which are more than twice as fast and support higher resolutions. Additionally, having two ports is more convenient since you can charge your device with one connection while having an accessory plugged into the other port at the same time.

Since both the Steam Deck and Legion Go 2's USB-Cs support DisplayPort, both handhelds can be connected to a docking station and displayed on a TV or monitor. However, the Steam Deck only needs a 45W docking station while the Legion Go 2 needs 65W or higher for it to work.

TL;DR: CONTROLS WINNER: There are a lot of differences here, but the Legion Go 2's Hall Effect joysticks, detachable controllers, FPS mode, and dual USB4 ports make it the more convenient handheld in terms of controls and ports.

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Software and games

There isn't too much to get into in this section, given that both the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) and the Steam Deck run the Linux-based SteamOS as their operating system. This means the menus and user interface are the same.

Out of the box, both devices are intended to only access your Steam library of games. But you can access other gaming services like Epic Games, Battle.net, and more using certain plug-ins and programs.

If you're interested in something like that, check out my guide on how to install Decky Loader on SteamOS handhelds.

As I mentioned previously, the Legion Go 2 configuration with a Z2 Extreme chip will be able to run more AAA games than the Steam Deck OLED since it has stronger internal hardware.

TL;DR: SOFTWARE & GAMES WINNER: Both handhelds might offer the same SteamOS operating system and interface; however, the Legion Go 2 is the winner here since it is powerful enough to run more AAA games than the Steam Deck OLED can handle.

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Battery life

Simply by looking at the specs, it might appear as though the Steam Deck OLED's 50Whr battery has a shorter battery life than the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS)'s 74Wh battery, but that's probably not the case.

A battery drains faster if it has to support more power-hungry processors and displays, like those in the Legion Go 2. This being the case, it's very possible that the Steam Deck OLED has a longer battery life.

Typically, the Steam Deck OLED can last between three and 12 hours, depending on the settings it's running at. I won't know for sure how long the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) lasts until I run my own battery life tests on it.

However, I know from previous testing that the Legion Go 2 (Windows) tends to only last between 1.5 and slightly more than five hours. Considering that SteamOS lets handhelds run more efficiently than Windows 11, I expect the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) to have a longer battery life than the Windows version, but probably not by a ton.

TL;DR: BATTERY LIFE WINNER: Due to its more power-efficient system, the Steam Deck tends to last longer than the Legion Go 2.

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Grip ergonomics and comfort

There's a lot of debate over whether or not the Steam Deck OLED is comfortable to hold. While certainly a beloved handheld, the Steam Deck isn't nearly as ergonomically shaped as the Legion Go 2, but it isn't as heavy either.

Valve's Steam Deck OLED weighs in at 1.41 pounds while being 11.7 inches long, 4.6 inches tall, and 1.9 inches thick. Meanwhile, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) is much heavier at 2.2 pounds while being 11.64 inches long, 5.38 inches tall, and 1.66 inches thick.

Of course, one huge difference here is that you don't have to hold the entire Legion Go 2 in your hands if you don't want to. Those detachable controllers only weigh 0.46 pounds and won't strain your hands nearly as much as a whole Steam Deck OLED.

TL;DR: COMFORT WINNER: The Steam Deck might weigh less than the Legion Go 2, but Lenovo's handheld is more ergonomically shaped and has detachable controllers that won't strain your wrists as much.

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Comparison chart

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Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Steam Deck: Which should I buy?

I've compared just about every aspect of these handhelds, and it's time to declare one the winner. The thing is, they are both good options. What this final decision really comes down to is your preferred playing experience.

If you're specifically wanting a handheld so you can play the latest and greatest AAA games, then the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) is the device you want. Just remember, not all games are compatible with handhelds, so you'll need to check system requirements on a case-by-case basis.

I also recommend the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) if you want a larger display that will be easier to see details on. Or if you deal with hand fatigue and want a handheld that will reduce discomfort.

But while the Legion Go 2 is undeniably the more impressive handheld here, you might not need the very best handheld to meet your gaming needs.

At the end of it all, the Steam Deck OLED remains the best budget-friendly handheld, even if it is older and not nearly as powerful. It can still be used to access a wide range of games, and it has a large community that is eager to share tips with newcomers.

Before you purchase either the Steam Deck OLED or the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS), think about what you want to do with your handheld, what types of games you want to play, how much money you're willing to spend, and any features you know you don't want to go without. Then choose the handheld based on that.

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Gamers on Linux will soon have a new option to play popular AAA titles and other games. A new native NVIDIA GeForce NOW app for Linux is in the works, giving users a native experience rather than relegating them to a web browser.

Amazon Fire TV Stick owners will also gain a native app for NVIDIA GeForce NOW. The game streaming service already has native apps for Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, iOS, Android, and select virtual reality devices and smart TVs.

NVIDIA announced the new apps at CES 2026. The company also shared that its GeForce RTX 5080-powered servers are now live globally for Ultimate members. Those servers allow up to 5K streaming at 120 FPS or 1080p streaming at 360 FPS.

NVIDIA GeForce NOW Ultimate members using RTX 5080-class servers will also gain DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation and Cinematic-Quality Streaming mode.

To get the best experience with all the bells and whistles, you'll need to play supported titles.

NVIDIA GeForce NOW was already available on many devices through native apps, including the Linux-based Steam Deck. But soon, more Linux users will be able to enjoy the benefits of a native app.

The native GeForce NOW app is supported with Ubuntu 24.04 and later. The app is in beta now and is expected to ship later this year.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick app for NVIDIA GeForce NOW is expected to come out "early this year," according to NVIDIA. The app will first become available for the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus (2nd Gen) and Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen).

The year of Linux (for real maybe?)

People have joked about each year being the year of Linux for so long that the jokes have become stale. But 2026 may actually be a big year for the platform.

Nearly 90% of Windows games now run on Linux in some way. Add cloud streaming through services like NVIDIA GeForce NOW, and the gap is even smaller. Streamed games aren't the same as natively run games, of course, but that difference gets smaller each year as technology advances.

Bazzite, a Linux distro built for gaming, has seen a surge in users since Windows 10 reached its end of support.

Linux still lacks native support for several popular titles, including Call of Duty, Apex Legends, Battlefield 6, Rainbow Six Siege, and Valorant. Kernel-level anti-cheat systems will likely prevent those titles from running on Linux any time soon.

But if someone plays some of the nearly 90% of Windows games that are now playable on Linux, the latter becomes an attractive option.

Game streaming could well grow this year across several platforms. With AI causing the price of RAM to increase, buying new devices or upgrading existing hardware becomes a potentially untenable option.

Cloud gaming, be it through NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming, or another service, lets people play their favorite games without requiring expensive hardware. It also has the major benefit of working just about anywhere with a stable internet connection.

Our Managing Editor, Richard Devine, explained how the takeover of cloud gaming is inevitable.

Using the cloud to stream games can breathe life into outdated hardware, add new capabilities to your system, and let you play games on the go. Soon, NVIDIA GeForce NOW will have a first-class experience on Linux and Fire TV Sticks, too.

Does native cloud support via GeForce NOW make Linux a viable Windows replacement for you, or do you still feel that games need to run locally on your own hardware to count? Let us know in the comments!

Steam’s December 2025 survey is now live. In November 2025, Linux gained a small but notable amount of momentum, giving some users hope that the trend would continue into December.

Instead, Linux’s install base has stalled. It even slipped by 0.01% month on month, which is minor, but still an unexpected pause after several months of gradual growth. For Windows users, the picture looks very different. Windows 11 recorded a sizeable jump, rising by 5.24% overall.

That increase is likely being driven by users migrating away from Windows 10 as its end-of-life occurs, but could also be a surge of new users from devices like the Xbox Ally or other Windows handhelds. The data suggests that while Linux has not reversed course, Windows 11 is currently absorbing most of the platform’s growth.

What the December 2025 Steam survey tells us

Thanks to its latest surge, Windows 11 now accounts for 70.83% of all Steam users. Windows 10, by comparison, dropped by 2.36% to 26.70%.

In November 2025, Linux recorded a small 0.15% increase, while Windows 11 grew by around 2%. That context makes December’s shift feel more pronounced.

Looking at the wider picture, all versions of Windows combined made up 94.79% of Steam users in November. In December 2025, that figure edged up to 94.95%.

Linux saw a very slight decline overall, slipping from 3.20% to 3.19%. However, not all distributions moved backward, as Fedora recorded a 0.05% increase in users.

Memory trends also shifted. Systems with 32GB of RAM grew by 2.11%, while 16GB configurations fell by 0.80%.

On the graphics side, the NVIDIA RTX 3060 is now the most commonly used GPU on Steam. It overtook November 2025’s leader, the RTX 4060 Laptop GPU.

Virtual reality adoption also saw a notable change. Meta’s Quest 3 increased its user share by 24.42%, making it the most popular VR headset and placing it 2% ahead of the Quest 2.

We want to hear how closely your setup matches what Steam is reporting. Does your system line up with the latest trends, or are you very much an outlier?

I've dabbled with Linux in the past, but I've regularly given up and moved back to Windows. That changed in 2025 when I decided to dig in my heels and stick with one distro. You see, my personal desktop has way too many power-hungry components, including an RTX 4090 GPU, so running a mini PC as my daily driver made me more willing to switch between two operating systems.

Heading to practically any social media platform and looking for conversations around Windows 11 will show you that the overall perception of Microsoft's modern operating system is less than stellar. Sure enough, Windows 10's EoL status exacerbated it, as thousands of users with outdated hardware were forced to choose between a life support extension or to upgrade to Windows 11.

However, the minimum hardware requirements made that impossible for some. Of course, if you're tech-savvy enough, you'll know that those "requirements" can be taken more as a suggestion than as a demand, and bypassing them has been possible for a while. At least that would be a relevant sentiment if the majority of everyday users were excited to upgrade, which certainly never felt like the case throughout 2025.

Recently, I put the feelers out to our community of readers to ask, "What's wrong with Windows 11?" Many of the comments I had expected were longstanding complaints about the Start menu and excessive memory usage in official apps. Others echoed the now-common complaints about the overexposure to artificial intelligence through integration where it needn't belong, such as Copilot in Notepad.

It's the latter that seems to matter most for the future of Windows, and the likelihood of Windows 12 becoming an agentic OS since Microsoft shows no signs of dropping its plans around local and cloud-based AI. Does it matter? Well, it depends. If more functions become mandatory, and Microsoft removes more agency from its users in favor of agentic AI models, then I can definitely imagine a repeat of EoL holdouts refusing to upgrade.

The "Iron Wall" is familiarity, not compatibility

So, if enough users really are threatening to jump ship, where will they go? Can Linux serve as a 1:1 replacement for Windows when it's missing native support for some popular apps, or would a move to Apple's well-established macOS make more sense? In my experience, the app problem isn't as much of an issue as it might seem, and many have open-source alternatives up for grabs.

Then again, it certainly isn't flawless, as I occasionally run into hardware that behaves unexpectedly in the various Linux distributions that I've tried — not that they can't be remedied, but 30 minutes of troubleshooting in forums isn't an appealing prospect for your average PC user. For now, I've had more success selling die-hard Windows fans on familiar-looking desktop environments.

Shells like KDE Plasma and Cinnamon made Fedora and Linux Mint the most palatable when I first dabbled in the vast ocean of distros, particularly the former because it's the same as you'll find on Valve's still-beloved Steam Deck while in Desktop Mode (as opposed to the default Gaming Mode).

Dig deeper, and you'll see popular alternatives like WINUX and Zorin OS, with the latter offering a comfortable middle ground for users moving away from Windows (and macOS) with a customized variant of the GNOME shell. Those two are likely tempting, but I'd still guide curious newcomers to Linux Mint for everyday productivity and promote Bazzite for PC gaming.

If nothing else, distros like Bazzite could mark a significant (if relatively minor) shift away from sole Windows 10/11 usage toward dual-booting with Linux, as it has been shown to improve performance in a particular selection of games. Then again, gamers like to think we occupy a significant portion of PC users (myself included), but in reality, we're a drop in the ocean.

There are still teething problems that keep me coming back to Windows 11, like my efforts to back up my physical collection of Blu-rays with an external, USB-powered drive running into errors on Linux that I simply don't have time to troubleshoot. Everything just works on my primary Windows drive, including Adobe's suite, but I can admit most of my app preferences are just habitual.

Even with these early signs of fluctuating OS adoption, I see no reason to believe Microsoft will lose its position as the most dominant desktop OS manufacturer in the next decade. If I had to predict what might cause any further apprehension from its long-serving users, it would be how the giant decides to handle the previously mentioned agentic AI in future versions of Windows.

Again, it wouldn't be enough to affect the majority — because most bystanders don't factor the ethics of AI into their everyday lives — but I can't ignore the negative community responses to Firefox embracing more (albeit optional) AI implementations, and the broader anti-AI sentiment across social media in general.

Windows is just too ingrained in the world's tech for any single-digit percentage shifts to be a concern just yet. Besides, Apple would have a better chance of riding high with greater macOS saturation before the "Year of the Linux Desktop" could ever enjoy the limelight, especially if affordable MacBooks are ramped up in 2026.

Then again, with the ongoing RAM crisis, any notion of affordable computing could be a pipedream, too. Here's hoping that CES 2026 has some good news for us on that front. Perhaps even Microsoft can regain the trust of the people who used to care the most with some real innovation next year, rather than tired iterations — and try not to cancel any of it this time.

Is Linux a threat to Windows' OS domination, or are we more likely to see a harmonious age of dual-booting for the best of both worlds? Does Apple's macOS even factor into the equation? Let me know in the comments!

Bazzite is a Linux distro similar to Valve’s SteamOS, explicitly built for gaming through the Steam storefront and designed to offer a more console-like experience than traditional desktop operating systems.

Recently, the Bazzite X (Formerly Twitter) account has been sharing updated usage statistics, and the timing is notable. Since Windows 10 reached end of life, the project has seen an apparent increase in new users.

This is not enough to seriously threaten Microsoft, but it is significant for an independent Linux distro with no corporate backing. Valve does not own Bazzite and is not an official SteamOS release; instead, it builds on the same foundations to deliver a focused gaming experience.

In a recent post on X, Bazzite revealed weekly user growth of around 1.25x over the last 30 days. That may sound modest, but for a niche operating system, it represents a meaningful rise. So, what does 1.25x actually mean? Let’s take a closer look.

Linux gaming is finally viable, but there are still hard limits

It is no surprise to see this surge. Around 90% of Windows games can now run on Linux thanks to Proton. However, kernel-level anti-cheat systems still block major titles like Call of Duty, Apex Legends, Battlefield 6, Rainbow Six Siege, and Valorant from running on Linux.

Gaming is not the only limitation. Linux still lacks native support for Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, and most professional-grade modelling software, although alternatives do exist.

Despite these drawbacks, Bazzite is still pulling in around 50,000 weekly users, a figure that continues to rise alongside that 1.25x growth. The project has also served a total of 2 petabytes of installs. For those unaware, one petabyte equals 1,000 terabytes, and each terabyte contains 1,000 gigabytes.

For context, Linux currently accounts for 3.20% of Steam users, compared to 94.79% on Windows as of November 2025.

It is still a massive gap, but there was a time when climbing above 3% felt impossible. The difference in user experience between Bazzite or SteamOS and Windows, especially for a console-like setup, is now night and day in my opinion.

Not only that, but Linux has also been shown to improve gaming performance on the Xbox Ally and other Windows handheld gaming PCs, while making the device feel far more like a traditional console.

If anything, this progress highlights how far Linux has come. Ideally, that momentum will push Microsoft to move faster, rather than getting slowed down by the realities of being such a large company, where decisions and meaningful feature updates can take far longer to land.

Have you considered switching away from Windows for gaming, or is Linux still a step too far? Let us know in the poll below.

Valve's upcoming Steam Machine is a highly anticipated, console-like gaming PC that's expected to launch in early 2026. It was first revealed on November 12, with the spec sheet showing off a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 processor with integrated RDNA 3 graphics.

Despite the overwhelming fanfare surrounding the Steam Machine announcement, one spec stood out to a lot of PC gamers. Rather than using the latest HDMI 2.1 standard, originally unveiled in 2017, the Steam Machine uses an older HDMI 2.0 hookup.

Now, the HDMI 2.0 "decision" has been at least partially cleared up. Speaking with Ars Technica, a Valve representative has stated that the Steam Machine's hardware does indeed support HDMI 2.1. The problem? It all boils down to how the HDMI Forum — the group that essentially gatekeeps the connection standard — handles licensing.

At this time, the open-source implementation of HDMI 2.1 is blocked by the Forum. And since Valve's own SteamOS operating system relies on open-source AMD drivers to function, the full feature set of HDMI 2.1 just isn't possible.

This has led to complications during development, with Valve having to validate the Steam Machine's port in Windows (and not its native SteamOS) while testing. The Valve rep told Ars Technica that "we've been working on trying to unblock things there" in terms of the HDMI port's performance, which includes bumping HDMI 2.0's theoretical limit of 4K@60Hz to 4K@120Hz.

That bump is thanks to something called chroma sub-sampling, which compresses color data. This gets more data down the pipeline than the Linux drivers for HDMI 2.0 can technically handle.

Due to the compression, however, video quality has a tendency to degrade. Is it noticeable enough to ruin your experience? For most people, not likely. And anyway, it's not like the Steam Machine only offers HDMI 2.0. The other video connection, DisplayPort 1.4, offers far more bandwidth, and it's easily capable of 4K@120Hz.

👉 HDMI vs. DisplayPort: Which is better for PC gaming?

There's another sticking point due to Valve's HDMI 2.0 blockade. The older standard lacks HDMI-VRR support, afforded by HDMI 2.1, a Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technique that helps smooth out and sync refresh rates. While the Steam Machine fully supports AMD FreeSync over HDMI, not all TVs are compatible.

Again, this sort of technical grit isn't likely to stop the vast majority of gamers who want a Steam Machine from picking one up when it launches in 2026. It does, however, demonstrate some of the lesser-known complications that arise when developing for Linux.

Valve does indeed have enormous sway in the PC gaming world, and it will be interesting to see if it can influence the HDMI Forum's decision to keep its 2.1 driver closed up and out of the world of Linux.

Steam’s Hardware and Software Survey is in for November 2025, and it’s no surprise to see Windows 11 gain users here, as Windows 10 recently reached end of life, forcing many users to upgrade. This led to a 2% increase in Windows 11 users on Steam.

Windows 11 is not the only OS to see a bump, as Linux also saw a 0.15% rise in users.

This follows Linux finally cracking 3 percent of Steam users in October 2025, now sitting at 3.20% overall. It still has a long way to go, as Windows controls 94.79% of Steam’s user base, with 65.59% now running Windows 11.

What else does the Steam survey show?

Interestingly, the RTX 4060 mobile GPU is now the most popular graphics card for users on Steam, with 4.22% of users having one, perhaps thanks to recent Cyber Monday deals enticing enough people to upgrade their laptops. Additionally, 8GB of VRAM is now the leading standard across Steam Users, accounting for 33.36% of users.

Modern games now push far more detailed textures and effects, so needing more VRAM has become the norm. That is why 8GB has effectively become the baseline across Steam, as older cards with lower memory are beginning to struggle. Sure enough, even Valve's own Steam Machine PC is targeting 8GB of VRAM.

The rise of the RTX 4060 laptop also makes sense when you consider pricing. Many 4060 laptops are far cheaper than their desktop equivalents, which makes them an appealing upgrade path for anyone wanting better performance without spending much more.

We are also seeing older entry-level cards like the GTX 1650 continue to drop in usage as players move on to newer hardware.

Laptop GPUs seem to dominate the survey trends, showing that many people may prefer portable systems as opposed to typical desktop rigs.

The trend of moving towards more portable gaming is also seen in devices like the Xbox Ally, which is flying off shelves, and Valve’s own Steam Deck, which has performed well. Let’s also not forget that Nintendo’s own first-party console, the Nintendo Switch, sold over 100 million units, and the Nintendo Switch 2 has sold significantly more than the original Switch during the same timeframe.

Windows and Linux have a long-standing rivalry as operating systems. And while the former holds a competitive advantage over the latter due to its massive market share and broad app compatibility, Linux is starting to gain some traction, especially after Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025.

For instance, Zorin OS, a Linux distro, gained approximately 780,000 users from Windows, a little over a month after Microsoft pulled the plug on Windows 10. While this might be coincidental, the timing is impeccable and hard to ignore, potentially suggesting that the operating system's death fueled the transition.

Similarly, Bazzite recently delivered a petabyte of ISOs in a single month as Windows 10 users continue to seek for alternatives beyond Microsoft's Windows 11 forced updates.

BSoD (Blue Screen of Death) errors are synonymous with Microsoft's Windows operating system, designed to alert users of a critical system failure related to a specific operation, with the potential to cause a device crash and forced reboot.

Microsoft has been trolled by users due to frequent BSoD errors, which seem to be becoming a common occurrence when interacting with the Windows operating system.

But perhaps more interestingly, Linux developer Linus Torvalds recently defended Microsoft's BSoD errors in Windows while building a PC with Linus Sebastian of Linus Tech Tips (via IT'S FOSS).

Torvalds reiterated the importance of having the ECC on your PC, which essentially makes it more reliable. He warned that the absence of the ECC on your device could lead to critical memory issues.

The Linux developer claimed that hardware is a greater cause of BSoD errors in Microsoft’s Windows operating system than software bugs. He further noted that gamers who overclock their devices are more likely to encounter these errors, making their systems less reliable.

As you may know, Microsoft changed the iconic blue error screen to a simplified black one with the aim of ensuring third-party security software follows the new rules designed to stop bad updates and drivers from taking down the OS.

Did you know that there are three different types of Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors? The Windows 3.1 Ctrl+Alt+Del screen, aka the screen of unhappiness, the Windows 95 kernel error (which most users consider the blue screen of death), and the Windows NT kernel error, which was authored by John Vert.

Microsoft's unpopular decision to end support for Windows 10 has contributed to an interesting turn of events. During Dell's recent earnings call, the company claimed that approximately 500 million PCs could upgrade to Windows 11, but users are hell-bent on sticking to an unsupported operating system, which could make them susceptible to privacy and security nightmares.

However, there has been an increasing interest in alternative operating systems like Linux, with a lack of ads and telemetry tracking as the main selling points for the drastic shift.

Late last month, I reported about Zorin OS, a Linux distro, gaining approximately 780,000 users from Windows, a little over a month after Microsoft pulled the plug on Windows 10. While this might just be coincidental, the timing is impeccable and could potentially suggest that Microsoft's decision to kill off Windows 10 fueled the transition.

And as it now seems, Windows losing its user base to Linux-based distros is becoming a popular trend. According to a report by Tom's Hardware, Bazzite gained over a petabyte of ISO downloads in one month.

Per the outlet's estimations, Bazzite served approximately 150,000 ISOs from October 29 to November 28. The Linux distro site had 730,000 visitors, serving 1PB of data throughout that month.

The site features a 7.5GB NVIDIA GPU and an AMD GPU-ready 6.6 GB ISO installers. As such, if each installer is presumably 7.0GB per ISO, then that translates to 143,000 Bazzite downloads.

For context, Bazzite is a Linux-based gaming distro. Think of it as a SteamOS duplicate but with better hardware compatibility and desktop support. Additionally, it ships with pre-installed drivers for NVIDIA and AMD GPUs.

It also supports non-Steam launchers like Epic Games Store, which makes it easier for users to migrate their game libraries without going through hoops.

Its recent rise in popularity can be partly attributed to the increasing number of users looking for alternative operating systems to Windows, especially after Windows 10's death and Microsoft's stringent hardware requirements for upgrading to Windows 11.

Another reason could be the improved compatibility of Windows games on Linux, which can be attributed to Valve's Proton compatibility layer.

This trend is fueled by users seeking alternatives to Windows, particularly following the end of support for Windows 10 and dissatisfaction with Windows 11’s update policies. The improved compatibility of Windows games on Linux, largely thanks to Valve’s Proton compatibility layer, is a major driving force behind this shift.

macOS might be a better alternative if you want a basic user experience

For as long as I can remember, macOS and Windows have been my daily drivers for basic computer stuff. I've never been a PC gamer; consoles like the Xbox Series X just feel more natural and appealing to me.

But with the end of support for Windows 10, many users seem to be in limbo. However, the emergence of alternative platforms like Bazzite makes things less complicated.

Valve's Steam Machine is set to ship in the Spring of 2026. Bazzite could serve as a great alternative to SteamOS. SteamOS will wipe an entire drive in your Steam Machine if you don't prepare a partition separately, and perhaps more concerning, the operating system will assume you're using a handheld.

But this doesn't discount Bazzite as an excellent alternative for handles, as it shows great potential compared to SteamOS across hardware like the ROG Ally.

As such, if you're looking for an alternative to Windows to support gaming exclusively, then Bazzite or SteamOS are arguably the best alternatives. However, macOS might be a better option if you're looking for a basic computer experience and aren't that much into gaming.

With Microsoft's plans to evolve Windows into an agentic AI OS, Apple could capitalize on the backlash and rip the band-aid off by scrapping Apple Intelligence for macOS entirely. It's not like it has made significant headway on that front anyway.

As our managing editor Richard Devine puts it, "As good as Linux is, and as much as I might think people should give it a go, for a lot of people it isn't going to be a magic solution when Microsoft turns out the lights on Windows 10."

Devine listed compatibility issues with legacy software as the main deterrent. There was also the issue of identifying the alternative that best suits you from the wide range of Linux-based distros.

What about you? Do you think this time will be any different for Bazzite? Let us know in the comments.

PC gaming giant Valve appears to be expanding its gaming software portfolio, currently building an Android compatibility layer called Lepton (via Gaming on Linux). Proof of its official name is slim, but an official Steam store page reveals its froggy logo, and SteamDB hints at its potential origins as a fork of Waydroid.

Waydroid already offers to run an Android system inside Linux, not too dissimilar to how WSL runs Linux in Windows. The creators of our beloved Steam Deck undoubtedly learned a lot from their efforts with SteamOS and Proton, a sort of in-between code translator that allows Windows PC games to run on Linux, so this is at least on-brand.

That, and we already knew that its upcoming Steam Frame VR headset will use a Snapdragon processor built by Qualcomm, so this isn't totally unexpected. Lepton will presumably allow users to run Android apps in virtual reality when the previously codenamed 'Deckard' headset launches, but it isn't too far-fetched to imagine a future where Android games are running on something like the upcoming Steam Machine desktop PC.

Besides, references to 'androidarm64' were added to Valve's Steamworks SDK a few weeks ago (via Gaming on Linux), alongside not-so-subtle hints from Brad Lynch on X that Walkabout Minigolf would be the first Android game appearing on the Steam Frame in VR. 'linuxarm64' is in there, too, related to the ARM64 Snapdragon SoC used in Valve's headset. Neat, but what about the gamers who aren't interested in virtual reality?

So far, there's barely anything more than vaporware to suggest that more AAA-like Android games might make their way to desktop PCs or SteamOS handhelds. At the very least, the foundations of Waydroid allow for this sort of thing to happen in a standard OS environment, but the demand also needs to be there.

Could you name a blockbuster Android game off the top of your head? I couldn't — and that's probably a significant factor in whether Valve would spend its resources making it happen.

This might be just a VR thing for now, especially since touchscreen games would presumably translate far better to that virtual environment than they ever would with traditional controllers. On the other hand, plenty of mobile games have added support for traditional controllers and clip-on joypads. Valve already made staggering progress in making Windows games run well (and sometimes even better) on Linux, so who knows?

Many people are seemingly still conflicted about Microsoft's unpopular decision to pull the plug on Windows 10, which happened last month on October 14. Multiple reports suggest that the operating system's death has left approximately 400 million PCs unsupported.

Of course, users have a couple of alternatives at hand, including upgrading to Windows 11 (but your device must meet Microsoft's stringent hardware requirements for the operating system), signing up for the Extended Software Updates (ESU) program which will extend support for Windows 10 for an additional year, continue using the OS without support (which may make you susceptible to privacy and security nightmares, or ditching Microsoft's Windows ecosystem entirely.

While we're still in the early days of Microsoft ending support for Windows 10, a damning report seemingly suggests that a large number of users have ditched Microsoft's Windows ecosystem for Linux.

As spotted by Tom's Hardware, Zorin, a Linux-based operating system designed to rival macOS and Windows, recently surpassed a million downloads following the release of a new update, which bumped it to version 18 of the Linux distro.

Perhaps more interestingly, Zorin's developer claimed that 78% of the downloads were from Windows devices. This doesn’t necessarily mean that all 780,000 downloads came from Windows 10 users abandoning Microsoft’s Windows 11 in favor of the Linux distro.

According to TechRadar, the surge in downloads may stem from several factors, such as users driven by curiosity who download the operating system but never complete the installation process.

Zorin OS delivers strong performance even on older devices, as the debate over planned obsolescence intensifies following Microsoft’s end of support for Windows 10. It also offers enhanced privacy and a user interface reminiscent of the familiar Windows ecosystem.

Elsewhere, a group called End of 10 has been pushing for users to transition to Linux, leading up to Windows 10's imminent death. The campaign urged Windows 10 users to abandon Microsoft’s ecosystem altogether and adopt a Linux distribution on outdated devices, highlighting the absence of ads and telemetry tracking as its main selling points.

This news comes after Microsoft highlighted its decision to evolve Windows into an agentic AI OS, which was received with backlash from users.

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Given the constraints in the video game industry as of late, you might think it was a crazy move to launch anything like a new console in the coming years. Valve is no ordinary company, though.

Despite Xbox hardware being down year-over-year for several quarters and PlayStation posting a very modest 1% increase in playtime hours despite PS5 sales keeping pace with PS4 — Valve is unbothered and has decided it's time to revive its Steam Machine efforts that originally started in 2014.

Following the success of the still beloved Steam Deck, Valve is doubling down on hardware in a big way and has revealed a range of new hardware today as part of that effort. We have an all-new Steam Machine, targeting a Spring 2026 launch, as well as a long-rumored VR headset called the Steam Frame, previously codenamed Deckard. There's also a brand-new Steam Controller to go along with both. Here's everything we know so far.

Steam Machine specifications

Valve's Steam Machine (not to be confused with the 2014 Steam Machines) sports some impressive specs on paper, though it doesn't seem to outclass the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5, despite using some more modern AMD Zen 4 architecture. Valve itself says the Steam Machine is "over 6x more powerful than Steam Deck", and should offer a comparable 4K @ 60 FPS experience when stacked up against Microsoft and Sony's consoles, while soundly beating the Xbox Series S and Nintendo Switch 2.

Again, the Steam Machine uses AMD's more modern (but technically previous-generation) Zen 4 processor architecture, sporting six CPU cores with twelve threads at 4.8 GHz. Despite having fewer cores than the Xbox Series X and PS5, the process node should give it superior per-core performance. These new Steam Machines should punch above their weight owing to that updated, more efficient technology, but the Xbox Series X, PS5, and PS5 Pro in particular should easily keep pace owing to higher core counts.

It's a similar story with the GPU: the Steam Machine's recent RDNA 3 architecture also offers improved power efficiency and higher performance compared to the older generation (but still not using RDNA 4, AMD's current tech). Even the Xbox Series X|S can use the same generation of upscaling as the Steam Machine — FSR 3.

The Steam Machine sports 28 compute units (CUs) at 2.45 GHz, compared to the Xbox Series X's 52 CUs at 1.8 GHz, and PS5's 36 CUs at 2.23 GHz. Microsoft's console, again, offers the most raw graphics computational power here, but the Steam Machine will punch above its weight owing to its more modern architecture and choice of lightweight operating system, SteamOS.

Memory (RAM) is where things continue to diverge. The Steam Machine hasn't yet offered official memory bandwidth figures, but it combines 16GB of DDR5 system memory with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM for the GPU.

It has more total memory on paper than the Xbox Series X's 16GB dual-pool GDDR6 RAM and PS5's unified 16GB GDDR6 pool, but the Steam Machine's PC-like split memory design may impede its overall memory bandwidth despite having a larger amount. It should, in theory, remain competitive here with both the PS5 and Xbox Series X, but we need more information to know more to get a solid answer.

The Steam Machine oddly has only two storage options up for grabs: a 512 GB model and a 2TB model. Xbox storage cards are notoriously expensive CFExpress PCI cartridges, while the PS5 went with more standard M.2 NVMe options that users can purchase off the shelf. The Steam Machine diverges by offering microSD expansion, allowing its users to easily transfer large amounts of games from a Steam Deck and back to their Steam Machine.

MicroSD technology isn't fast enough to effectively run all AAA games, but the Steam Machine's internal storage should be more than up to the task for the majority. Although we don't have a ton of info on what's sitting inside it here, it's unlikely to be using ultra-modern microSD Express tech.

Finally, we have the operating system. SteamOS has become incredibly capable over the last few years, with Valve deploying reams of updates as part of its Steam Deck line. It's incredibly user-friendly and easy to use, and its powerful Proton layer translates Windows games to Linux without any developer input — generally speaking, at least.

Proton does have some shortcomings, namely with functions like anti-cheat systems. As such, many Windows-native multiplayer games with kernel-level anti-cheat systems don't run on SteamOS. Proton will only get better over time, too. SteamOS does allow you to exit out into full Linux desktop mode as well, allowing you to install launchers, games, and other apps not available on the Steam store itself.

You can get things like Xbox Cloud Gaming, Battle.net, Genshin Impact, and other titles that aren't available to buy via Steam like this, but it isn't always a particularly easy experience — even more so if you include the fact that you need a mouse and keyboard to navigate it effectively.

Regardless, Steam has quite literally thousands of games available directly on its store, the vast majority of which will run on this platform without issue. This will be the first "console" that has games from Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox on a single device, via a single store.

It does miss out on many of the world's most popular games that aren't available on Steam or Linux, such as Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite (not to mention GTA 6 at launch), but there are workarounds for many of these if you're willing to tinker. And who knows, if SteamOS begins to see broader adoption, maybe these games will come across natively as well.

Given that this is more designed for a sofa-style experience, I expect Valve will use its Steam Deck Verification process to verify games for the Steam Machine in a similar way. Though there's absolutely no reason why you wouldn't be able to plug a keyboard and mouse in and use this as a full desktop mini PC.

The Steam Machine interestingly reflects Xbox's vision for its own next-gen console, which will be more PC-like, complete with the ability to exit out to the desktop, and install other launchers and games not available natively on Xbox itself.

Valve hasn't yet confirmed pricing, although the more modern and pricy RDNA3 and Zen 4 components are a strong indicator that it might be difficult for the Steam Machine to undercut its PS5 and Xbox Series X rivals in any significant way. We'll have to wait and see there. For now, the Steam Machine is targeting that aforementioned Spring 2026 launch. Until then, you could try building your own Steam Machine.

Steam Controller specifications

Interestingly, the Steam Machine will only include a controller optionally, since the console will work with any Xbox or PlayStation controller you have lying around already. Any controller that's compatible with the Steam Deck (and that's a lot) will also be compatible with the Steam Machine.

However, if you do want or need a controller, here's what Valve is offering as a follow-up to its original, less successful Steam Controller from 2015.

The Steam Controller works with any device running Steam, which includes Windows PCs, macOS, and devices like the Steam Deck. It should also be compatible with the next-gen Xbox as well, given that the next Xbox is going to run full Windows.

It connects up with a USB "puck" which can connect four controllers simultaneously, and it also supports Bluetooth and USB wired play on top. The puck is pre-paired and has a proprietary wireless signal, which should be comparable in quality to PS5 and Xbox controllers for speed and reliability.

Where it has the Xbox and PS5 standard controllers beat is battery life, with 35+ hours on a single charge, making it more like the Xbox Elite controller. It also boasts magnetic TMR thumbsticks, which should eliminate drift in ways the Xbox and PS5 controllers currently don't.

Where things get even more interesting are the large dual trackpads, similar to that old-school Steam Controller and the Steam Deck. These support haptics and help control games that don't have native joystick support. It also supports gyro gameplay, with six-axis motion sensing.

It has ABXY Xbox-style buttons and symmetrical PlayStation-style thumbsticks, while sporting four programmable back buttons and standard triggers and bumpers. It also sports capacitive grip sense, detecting when it has been picked up.

There's no mention of price yet, but I imagine it'll sit somewhere between a standard Xbox controller and a more pricey Xbox Elite controller in price, given its impressive specs.

What do you think?

Seeing a new console launch in an era where both PlayStation and Xbox are pointing at short-form video platforms like TikTok for decreasing growth might seem like a bold move, but the Steam Machine is no typical console.

Despite some limitations of Proton and Linux, Steam remains one of the world's most popular and favored video game ecosystems. Steam sales are legendary, Valve's approach to customer satisfaction is industry-leading, and developers flock to the platform owing to its relaxed certification processes.

Steam's discovery engine is second to none. Every time I log into Steam, I discover new games I've never heard of, as the system understands my habits and has more options to cater to those habits than other platforms. Some of the world's most popular games, like Fortnite and Roblox, might not be available natively, but Steam has become home to massive viral mega-hits in recent years, such as Megabonk and Peak more recently. I wish Xbox were capable of delivering similarly, but Microsoft has been pursuing a more Steam-like feature set for its own Xbox PC platform recently, which it says is growing rapidly, too.

Rumors have been ramping up that Valve might seek to pair its Steam Machine launch with the borderline mythical Half-Life 3, too. The team at Valve makes legendary games in its own right, including DOTA2, Counter-Strike 2, Left 4 Dead, Portal, Team Fortress, and more. Valve used Half-Life Alyx to boost interest in its own VR efforts previously, so could it pull off a similar feat for the Steam Machine?

The Steam Machine will also be the first "console" in the world that comes with games from Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox as standard, as the walls around "exclusivity" become increasingly blurred. PlayStation recently said its unprecedented launch of Helldivers 2 was a huge success on Xbox, and Microsoft has been putting its games everywhere and anywhere at a breakneck pace.

What the future of the game industry looks like is anyone's guess, but Valve is becoming an increasingly interesting part of the hardware discussion, which is great to see.

FAQ

Reported on by VideoCardz, the latest Steam Hardware Survey shows Linux reaching 3.05% of all Steam users for the first time. That is up from around 2% this time last year, which is a solid jump for a platform that has historically struggled to crack mainstream gaming adoption.

Windows has seen a small decline, dropping from roughly 95% to 94.84% of Steam users. macOS currently sits at 2.11%, which is slightly higher than I expected, given macOS isn’t particularly known for gaming.

Linux still has a long road if it hopes to become a true competitor to Windows in gaming. However, milestones like this suggest that more players are paying attention, and the conversation around PC gaming operating systems could be shifting.

What’s driving Linux’s gaming surge?

SteamOS now accounts for roughly 27% of all Linux installs on Steam. This is an impressive achievement and reflects how the Steam Deck continues to bring more players into the Linux ecosystem without needing them to actively choose it. It is still going to take a long time before Linux can make any meaningful dent in Windows, but momentum is kind of building, albeit slowly.

Microsoft’s ongoing AI push, the end of life for Windows 10, and several unpopular user-experience decisions could encourage more PC gamers to explore alternatives. Linux is also becoming surprisingly performant in certain titles, and it already delivers strong results on handheld gaming PCs like the Steam Deck and even the Xbox Ally.

RELATED: How to install SteamOS on your Windows handheld

The Steam Deck is not hitting Nintendo Switch 2 sales numbers, but it has still sold millions since launch. It is also widely respected in the space and continues to be a reference point every time a new handheld PC arrives.

SteamOS is not perfect, though. Many competitive multiplayer games rely on kernel-level anti-cheat systems, which Windows supports, and that means some players avoid SteamOS if their library includes titles that require it. For everyone else, SteamOS remains a strong option for handheld gaming.

For players who mostly enjoy single-player games, indie titles or do not play many competitive multiplayer games, it is hard to ignore how far Proton has come. Proton allows Windows-only games to run on Linux, and nearly 90% of games on Steam now work on Linux in some capacity. Not every game runs perfectly, but the fact that most of the Windows library is playable shows how far Linux gaming has progressed in a short period of time.

Is Windows in trouble? Not yet

Windows is still by far the dominant platform at almost 95% share, and Linux hitting 3% does not threaten that position any time soon. Still, it does show a real shift in momentum.

That momentum may be one of the reasons Microsoft is paying more attention to gaming on Windows. The introduction of the Xbox Ally, which runs a stripped-down version of Windows with a more console-like interface, is the closest partnership we have seen between Windows and the gaming ecosystem so far. It is not perfect, and it still feels like a beta for what could eventually be a polished gaming-first Windows experience, but it shows Microsoft understands it needs to adapt.

The question is not whether Linux overtakes Windows soon, but whether rising gamer frustrations and a rapidly growing handheld market can give Linux its biggest opportunity yet.

FAQ

The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X launched to strong demand and sold out quickly in many regions. Early reviews were positive (including our own Xbox Ally X review), and it looked like Xbox had a strong first attempt at a handheld on its hands.

But once people spent more time with the device, a familiar complaint surfaced. Windows was holding it back.

Despite Microsoft trying to minimise Windows tasks on the Xbox Ally X, the system still shipped with unnecessary desktop apps like Microsoft Teams. It also suffered from a user interface that did not feel handheld-ready. The hardware was excellent, but the software experience felt unfinished.

That led some users to ask a question: What happens if you ditch Windows entirely?

Enter Bazzite, a SteamOS-like Linux operating system built specifically for handhelds. Two well-known creators, ETA Prime and Cyber Dopamine, decided to install Bazzite on the Xbox Ally X to find out how it performs. Their results might be surprising, and in some cases, better than expected.

Bazzite on the Xbox Ally X

Out of the box, Bazzite runs well on the ROG Xbox Ally X and installs without any major issues. It behaves much like SteamOS on the Steam Deck, with a clean, controller-friendly interface that feels built for handheld gaming.

Bazzite also gives users far more control over the hardware than Windows currently does. Power settings like TDP limits, GPU frequency caps, and custom fan curves work through built-in tools. Even features that are still being polished, such as RGB lighting control, are already being actively worked on by Bazzite developers. Support is improving quickly.

Cyber Dopamine tested the Xbox Ally X using the same games and identical power limits on both Bazzite and Windows. Here is a direct comparison of the results:

ETA Prime also tested performance across multiple games, although he did not show direct Windows comparisons in his video. His testing still helps demonstrate what Bazzite can do on the Xbox Ally X and shows that Linux is already capable of handling modern AAA games.

Another major advantage Bazzite has over Windows is sleep and resume. Cyber Dopamine pointed out that the Xbox Ally X wakes almost instantly on Bazzite, similar to a Nintendo Switch. Windows, by comparison, can take much longer to wake and has been known to drain the battery while supposedly in sleep mode.

Battery life is similar between Bazzite and Windows, but Bazzite can sometimes draw slightly less power depending on the game. ETA Prime measured around eight hours of battery life when playing 2D indie games at low power, around two hours and thirty minutes at 17W in AAA games, and roughly two hours at 25W. His testing showed that while raw battery time does not change dramatically, Bazzite can offer better efficiency per watt.

Where Xbox falls short

It is becoming increasingly clear that the biggest problem with the Xbox Ally is Windows. The hardware is excellent, but the operating system still does not feel built for handheld gaming. The experience is closer to using a small laptop than a console in some scenarios, and that takes away from the simplicity people expect in a portable device.

Even the first-time setup feels out of place. Instead of jumping straight into games, users are greeted by a standard Windows onboarding process. Once that is done, there are more steps: updates for the Xbox app, updates for Armoury Crate, firmware updates, and Microsoft Store updates. It does not feel streamlined or designed for gaming first.

Microsoft’s new Full Screen Experience is a step in the right direction, but it still feels unfinished. It helps make Windows look more console-like, but it does not replace the desktop entirely. Windows still gets in the way, and based on Cyber Dopamine’s testing, it also drags down performance compared to Bazzite.

Linux proves the Ally X has untapped potential

Both ETA Prime and Cyber Dopamine proved that the Xbox Ally X is capable of much more once Windows is out of the way. The hardware is strong, but the software still holds it back. Over the next year, Microsoft has a real opportunity to streamline the experience and decide what Xbox wants handheld gaming to look like before whatever Xbox type device is next.

Bazzite shows what is possible. It delivers faster performance, smoother gameplay, and instant resume, and it already feels closer to a handheld OS than Windows does today. With more optimisation, the Xbox Ally X could one day match the polish and usability of Bazzite or SteamOS.

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft pulled the plug on Windows 10. The software giant shipped the final security update for the operating system with several fixes and improvements. Consequently, the company confirmed that Windows 10 had reached End of Life, potentially impacting approximately 500 million PCs.

It's evident that the tech giant wants users to upgrade to Windows 11 and has been using full-screen multipage popup ads to get users to make the transition. Microsoft has made bold statements like "Windows 11 PCs are up to 2.3x faster than Windows 10 PCs" to push Windows 11 upgrades, prompting multiple users to claim that Windows 10's end of support feels like "programmed obsolescence," designed to bolster Copilot+ PC sales.

If you don't want to upgrade to Windows 11 predominantly due to the operating system's strict hardware requirements or flawed design elements, you can leverage Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to continue receiving Windows 10 security updates despite its end-of-support.

It's worth noting that this will require you to either sync your PC settings to the cloud via a Microsoft account, redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Reward points, or pay $30 for extended security updates (ESU), which supports up to 10 devices. However, users in the European Economic Area won't need to meet the thresholds highlighted above because Microsoft backtracked the requirements in the region, making the program FREE.

Still, Microsoft continues to receive criticism and backlash from users for not reconsidering its decision to end Windows 10 support.

For instance, The Restart Project group, which helped co-develop the "End of 10" toolkit to support Windows 10 users who can't upgrade to Windows 11, says Microsoft's move to continue pushing security updates to Windows 10 beyond its end-of-support feels like a last-minute snooze button, which only acts as a band-aid on a bleeding system. It's also calling on the political class to support:

"Microsoft’s decision not only accelerates premature disposal but also undermines efforts to extend product lifespans and puts additional pressure on resource use and waste management systems."

Windows 10 users aren't thrilled about Microsoft ending support for the decade-old OS

Over the past few hours, posts about Windows 10's death have flooded social media with users paying homage to the operating system with heartfelt message and hints of criticism aimed at Microsoft.

As highlighted by one user on X:

"I don't understand why Windows 10 couldn't still exist. It follows the same flat modern minimalist trend that has dominated graphic design for the last 10 years to this day. Functionally, it works like a charm and was easy to use. It was DESIGNED to be the evergreen of Windows."

On the filp side, some were seemingly relieved that Microsoft was pulling the plug on the operating system:

"RIP Windows 10. The worst OS I've ever used. I've only had problems with it, and the search NEVER worked. You won't be missed!"

Another user indicated that they were going to ditch Microsoft's Windows ecosystem entirely and switch to Linux:

"Goodbye, Windows 10. I hate you at first but then you became the only sane windows left. Thanks for all the memories. Time to install Linux."

As you may remember, a group called End of 10 has been pushing for users to transition to Linux following Microsoft's decision to end support for Windows 10'. The campaign encourages steadfast Windows 10 users to ditch the Windows ecosystem entirely and switch to a version of Linux on any outdated devices, using a lack of ads and telemetry tracking as the key selling points to get users to move over.

Some users even suggested that Microsoft's Windows 11 was rife with spyware while eulogizing Windows 10:

"RIP Windows 10. You were the last OS that didn't spy on us 24/7. Now we're all getting Windows 11'd to death."

And finally, some commemorated Windows 10's end of support by taking a trip down memory lane, highlighting their experience with the OS and what they'll miss most about it:

"RIP Windows 10 (2015–2025) You brought us Start menu chaos, those sneaky updates at 2 a.m., and the occasional blue screen therapy session. Thanks for the memories!"

As it happens, Microsoft announced that it was killing the iconic Windows Blue Screen of Death and replacing it with a simplified black one. The new BSoD screen will now show the following message "your device ran into a problem and needs to restart" and an error code at the bottom, highlighting the name of the system file or driver that failed.

We've talked a lot about the impending end-of-life of Windows 10, and what folks can do if they can't, or choose not to upgrade to Windows 11. One of the options is to pay up for extended support, one of the options is to buy a new PC — which Microsoft would surely love — and one continually floated is to make a switch to Linux.

Linux is known for many things, one of which is legendary support for older hardware. But Linux can be a very different experience from Windows, and quite jarring for many who make the switch. I've already looked at one Linux distro that aims to be friendly to Windows refugees. AnduinOS was created by a Microsoft engineer, so it has the credentials.

WINUX is not, but having poked around with it, there's no denying that it's impressive. It looks almost identical to Windows 11, and not just because of the wallpaper and taskbar layout. It also feels closer to Windows 11 than many Linux distros I've tried over the years. Might it be the one for those who are seriously looking to switch, even if temporarily? It's certainly in the mix.

Ubuntu underneath, Windows 11 on top

Whatever it looks like, WINUX is, of course, not Windows 11. It's Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, which means another four-ish years of support from now, since LTS releases promise five years, compared to the regular rolling releases. That's still quite a long time for any single version of an operating system.

While Ubuntu does the driving, out front is KDE Plasma, something you may have heard of. It's one of the more popular desktop environments on Linux, it's on the Steam Deck, and it's highly customizable. In essence, the Windows-ness of WINUX is a remarkably good theme for Plasma.

The taskbar looks right, the Windows logo and icons for some of the built-in apps look right, the Start Menu looks right, and even the right-click menu looks right. At a passing glance, most people would probably assume it was, in fact, Windows 11, even though it's not absolutely identical.

Some of the stock wallpapers are included from Windows 11, and so are some of the stock themes. There's even a settings app called PowerTools, which resembles the Windows 11 settings app, but it runs alongside the KDE Plasma equivalent, not instead of.

Start scratching, and you'll see the stock KDE apps where you would have Windows ones. The icon for the terminal looks like Windows Terminal, but it's KDE's Konsole. File Explorer is actually Dolphin, but, again, it's pretty close to the look and feel of the Windows app.

It's easy for someone who is fairly experienced using Linux to just say "you should try Linux", but the truth is the vast majority have only ever known Windows. The theming is doing a lot of the work in WINUX, but I can't stress enough how good a job it does. It's like a big old comfort blanket wrapped around you as you're venturing into the unknown.

The stereotype of Linux users living in the terminal doesn't have to be accurate, either. Installing apps, updating them, installing system updates, can all be done from the GUI apps on WINUX (as on many other flavors of Linux.) WINUX is probably the least scary Linux distro I've ever seen from the perspective of coming from Windows.

That's still remembering that, for Windows 10 users making the switch, even the look and feel is quite different. But it's certainly more approachable.

A distro set up to be easy to use out of the gate

Besides the excellent theme work, I also really appreciate that WINUX is set up to be easy for converts from the first second. You can't have Microsoft Office on Linux; it doesn't exist, but instead, you get pre-installed shortcuts to the web versions in the Start Menu.

Microsoft Edge for Linux is pre-installed as the stock browser, though Google Chrome is also already there if you prefer to go that way. Generally speaking, most Linux distros out there ship with Firefox, but with WINUX, you can be straight back into a browser you're familiar with from Windows.

Gamers are also looked after. Steam is pre-installed, as is Heroic Game Launcher, which is my own, preferred way of accessing Epic Games, GOG, and Amazon on both Linux and Windows. All you need to do is log in, and if you have AMD graphics on your PC, that's it. If you're using NVIDIA or Intel Arc, you still have drivers to get, though.

Yes, this isn't Windows. But with that kind of experience in mind, this is one of the better alternatives I've seen. And as our previous report on WINUX said, all without the red tape. It's really well done.

If you're looking at using Ollama on your PC to run local LLMs (Large Language Models), with Windows PCs at least, you have two options. The first is to just use the Windows app and run it natively. The second is to run the Linux version through WSL.

The first is definitely easier. For one, you don't need to have WSL installed, and the actual process of getting up and running is simpler. You just downloaded the Windows installer, run it, and you're up and running.

Installing Ollama on WSL requires jumping through a few more hoops. But, using Ubuntu, it's good, and performance is excellent. At least in my experience using an NVIDIA GPU. But unless you're, say, a developer, using WSL for your workflows, there isn't much reason to go this way over the regular Windows version.

Getting Ollama set up on WSL

I'll start by saying this isn't an exhaustive setup guide, more a case of pointing in the right direction. To use Ollama on WSL — and specifically, I'm referring to Ubuntu, because that seems to be both the easiest and best documented — there are a couple of prerequisites. This post is also specific to NVIDIA GPUs.

The first is an up-to-date NVIDIA driver for Windows. The second is a WSL-specific CUDA toolkit. Assuming you have both, the magic will just happen. Microsoft and NVIDIA's documentation is the best place to start to guide you through the whole process.

It doesn't take too long, though, but that's also dependent on your internet connection to get all the bits you need downloaded.

Once you have this handled, you can simply run the installation script to get Ollama up and running. Note, I haven't explored running Ollama in a container on WSL; my experience is strictly linked to just installing it directly to Ubuntu.

During the installation process, it should automatically detect the NVIDIA GPU if you have everything set up correctly. You should see a message saying "NVIDIA GPU installed" as the script is running.

From there on out, it's the same as using Ollama on Windows, minus the GUI application. Download your first model and you're away. There is a mild quirk, though, if you switch back to Windows.

If you're running WSL in a different tab, Ollama in Windows (in the terminal at least) will only recognize the models you have installed on WSL as active. If you check the ollama --list command, you'll not see any you have installed on Windows. If you try to run one you know you have, it'll go out and start downloading it again.

In this case, you need to ensure WSL is properly shut down before using Ollama on Windows. You can do this by entering wsl --shutdown into a PowerShell terminal.

Almost identical performance in WSL to using Ollama on Windows

I'll get to some numbers in a moment, but there is one point to address. It potentially doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but you need to at least be mindful that just running WSL will use up some of your overall system resources.

You can set the amount of RAM and CPU threads you want WSL to use easily in the WSL settings app. If you're primarily going to be using the GPU, it's less important. But, if you intend to use any models that don't fit entirely into your VRAM, you'll need to ensure you have sufficient resources allocated to WSL to pick up the slack.

Remember that if the model doesn't fit into the VRAM, Ollama will rope in the regular system memory, and with it, the CPU. Just be sure to allocate accordingly.

I'll admit these tests are very simple, and I'm not verifying any accuracy of the output. It's only to illustrate the comparable performance. I looked at four models that all run comfortably on an RTX 5090: deepseek-r1:14b, gpt-oss:20b, magistral:24b, and gemma3:27b.

In each case, I asked the models two questions.

• Write a story over 5 chapters with a theme and characters of your choice. (Story)
• I want you to create a clone of Pong entirely within Python. Use no external assets, and any graphical elements must be created within the code. Ensure any dependencies are imported that are required. (Code)

And the results:

There are some minor fluctuations, but performance is as near as makes no difference, identical.

The only difference between the impact each made on the system resources, also, is the additional RAM being used when WSL is active. But since none of these models exceeded the dedicated VRAM, it had no impact on the model's performance.

For developers working in WSL, Ollama is just as powerful

An Average Joe such as myself (even one who loves WSL) doesn't really need to bother with using Ollama this way. My main use of Ollama at the moment is education, both as a learning tool and teaching myself about how it works.

For that, using it on Windows 11 is absolutely fine, either in the terminal or hooked into the Page Assist browser extension, which is something else I've been playing with recently.

But WSL is a bridge between Windows and Linux for developers. Those with necessary WSL workflows can use Ollama this way without any loss in performance.

Even today, it still feels a little bit like magic that you can run Linux on Windows like this and have full use of your NVIDIA GPU. It certainly all works that way, anyway.

The clock keeps ticking and Microsoft's end of support date for Windows 10 is edging even closer. While Windows 11 surpassed Windows 10 as the most dominant desktop operating system, recent stats shared by Statcounter reveals that the former's market share dropped by 4% to to 49.08%, but perhaps more interestingly the latter's market share weirdly gained 2.65% market share, pushing it to 45.53% despite its imminent death.

A public interest group petitioned Microsoft to reconsider its decision to pull the plug on Windows 10 in October 14, 2025 as it could lead to the single biggest jump in junked computers ever. However, the software giant has come up several options for users to continue using Windows 10, even after it cuts support for the operating system, ensuring that they continue receiving security updates.

As you may know, Windows 10 users can enrol in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which will grant them an extra year of support. However, users recently raised concerns that they aren't able to sign up for the program but Microsoft confirmed that all users should be able to access it before Windows 10's end of support.

Windows 11 shipped a little bit over 4 years ago but it has struggled to gain traction over Windows 10, predominantly due to its stringent minimum system requirements coupled with flawed design elements. This potentially explains why Microsoft resulted to using aggressive full-screen multipage pop-up ads to attempt to compel Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11.

As such, there's a surge of alternatives for Windows 10 users who can't upgrade to Windows 11 and don't want to ditch their PCs. For instance, Windows Theme Over Linux a.k.a "WINUX" by Linuxfx recently got a major update, improving its user experience with neat features, potentially designed to make Windows users jump ship from Microsoft's ecosystem entirely (via Beta News).

It's worth noting that WINUX is a Linux operating system that's heavily inspired by Microsoft's Windows 11 and Windows 10 from the Start menu to desktop icons. However, the OS ship stringent hardware requirements, making it an easy install on any device. What's more, you can retain your current workflow setup and games.

The new update makes the Windows-inspired Linux distro run faster on dated devices, potentially making it easier for users ditching the Windows ecosystem pending Windows 10's end of life to continue their workflow on a familiar environment without having to worry about Microsoft's bureaucracies.

It also ships with a plethora of new features, including a new Redsand theme for WIndows 10 and Windows 11 styles and kernel 6.14.0-29, which provides advanced hardware support across legacy BIOS and modern EFI systems. It's also worth noting that the release is based on Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS, meaning it will continue to receive up to five years worth of free updates.

If you're looking to get a little bit more out of the operating system, you can make a donation to unlock more Pro features in WINUX, including OneDrive integration with a graphical interface, native Active Directory support, and enhanced AI tools.

Unlike Microsoft's hardware requirements for Windows 11, WINUX only requires 2GB of RAM and a dual-core 64-bit CPU, however, 4GB comes highly recommended.

Microsoft's extended support for Windows 10 doesn't cut it

Linux is seemingly beginning to sound like a popular option for Windows 10 users who can't upgrade to Windows 11 because their devices don't meet the system requirements.

For instance, a group called End of 10 has been pushing for users to transition to Linux as Windows 10's end-of-life edges closer. The group encourages Windows 10 users to ditch the Windows ecosystem entirely and switch to a version of Linux on outdated PCs, using a lack of ads and telemetry tracking as the key selling points to get users to make the transition.

Elsewhere, The Restart Project group, which helped co-develop the "End of 10" toolkit to support Windows 10 users who can't upgrade to Windows 11, including offering practical advice on how to adapt repair events and running new kinds of events and work with others.

It claims Microsoft's move to continue pushing security updates to Windows 10 beyond its end-of-support feels like a last-minute snooze button, which only acts as a band-aid on a bleeding system. It's also calling on the political class to support:

Right now, you can sync your PC settings to the cloud via a Microsoft account, redeem 1,000 Microsoft Reward points or pay $30 for extended security updates (ESU), which now supports up to 10 devices to continue using Windows 10 beyond its imminent death.

As Windows 10's end of life edges closer, will you be upgrading to Windows 11 or switching to another platform entirely? Share your thoughts with me in the comments.

Nobody saw this one coming besides everybody. Google's attempts to woo gamers into buying Chromebooks is officially done. Steam for Chromebook will be joining Stadia in Google's gaming graveyard as we go into 2026.

The news was broken by 9to5Google, who reported that there's now a message stating the Steam for Chromebook beta will be ending on January 1, 2026. Oh yeah, it never actually progressed beyond the beta stage.

Steam can still be installed on Chromebooks for now, albeit with the aforementioned cancellation message. But once it's done, any games folks have on their machines will be unplayable.

That will come as a surprise to some, after all, this isn't some cloud gaming service, this is Steam. But it's not like Steam would be installed on your Windows PC, or Mac, or Linux. It is the Linux version of Steam, but it's built into a special container, and presumably once Google hits the killswitch the container will no longer work.

Google's gaming efforts outside of Android continue to fall apart

I think the most surprising part about all this is that after debuting initially in 2022, it's taken until now for this to be discontinued. I've tried it out a bit on the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook, in part to see if a ChromeOS laptop could be a viable choice for keen gamers.

Steam works OK, and some games play pretty nicely, but there was never any statement of intent from Google about being serious with it. There are no Chromebooks with dedicated graphics, for example. While not essential, it'd be nice to have had one or two to choose from to show el Goog was serious.

Failing that, utilizing chips from Intel or AMD with recent integrated graphics, even. Both companies have some pretty solid iGPUs nowadays, but Chromebooks still seem to be saddled with mid-tier (at best) offerings.

2022 was a rollercoaster for Google's gaming ambitions. It announced Steam for Chromebooks at the beginning, further down the line, cancelled Stadia, and then just after cancelling Stadia, announced its "gaming Chromebooks" initiative.

Google apparently has taken "learnings for the future of Chromebook gaming" but those seem clear. It'll be relying on everyone else's cloud, including Xbox Game Pass, and Android.

The worst part is, I actually hoped for so much more from this. I like ChromeOS, and in many ways, it's a perfect antidote to Windows for those who want a simpler life. But those same people can also very easily want to play games as well.

Increasingly, though, it's harder to invest in any new initiatives from the biggest tech companies. Google and Microsoft are both renowned for cancelling products. But hey, both are all-in on AI!

For gamers, the platform of choice will continue to be Windows. It's where all of your games will work, and even a budget gaming laptop will get you a lot further than any Chromebook ever would. You don't have to like Windows, but it will forever be the safe bet if gaming is your number one priority.

But I want to pour one out, still, for Steam on Chromebooks. It was better than I ever thought it would be, and with the right investment, could have been something with a rosy future. But it's dead, so it's back to Windows. Or a Steam Deck if you want to spend Chromebook money and play almost all of your Steam games.

Microsoft's dreaded Windows 10 end-of-life date is fast approaching. October 14, 2025, is just over two months away. Upgrading to Windows 11 is arguably the most conventional option, but the operating system's stringent minimum system requirements and seemingly flawed design elements make the transition less attractive.

Of course, you can opt to continue using Windows 10 by either enrolling in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for $30/device, which will warrant you an extra year of support. Alternatively, you can opt to sync your PC settings data with the cloud via a Microsoft Account to continue receiving security updates from Microsoft for an extra year for free.

Either way, a huge chunk of currently active Windows computers are reportedly still running Windows 10, which could potentially lead to the single biggest jump in junked computers ever. While users could subscribe to Microsoft's conditional options to continue receiving Windows 10 security updates beyond the cutoff date, they'll only be viable for an extra year after the cutoff date. This means Windows 10 users will still wind up in this tricky position eventually.

I've been combing through social media posts, specifically on the topic of Windows 10's end-of-life status across X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, and it seems like a significant number of people are considering ditching Windows entirely for Linux.

Our Managing Editor, Richard Devine, wrote an insightful feature about why he wouldn't necessarily advise Windows 10 users to jump ship to Linux beyond the operating system's cutoff date, listing its incompatibility with legacy software as a major deterrent. He also indicated how difficult it can be for newcomers to narrow down the specific Linux distro to use for specific wants and needs.

Be it as it may, if you decide to rip the band-aid off and switch to Linux, the process could be a tad simpler and seamless thanks to a new tool called Operese (via Neowin). For context, the app is a Windows-to-Linux migration tool that lets users make the transition to the free and open-source operating system with all their files, settings, and installed apps.

While the project shows great promise for Windows 10 users, it's worth noting that it is still in the early development phase, which limits its functionality to a demo and not actual execution. Additionally, you can only use the tool to switch to Kubuntu, while there are plenty more Linux distros to choose from.

Ditching Windows is increasingly enticing

Earlier this month, I reported on The Restart Project's "End of 10" toolkit, designed to support Windows 10 users who can't upgrade to Windows 11. The group claims communities are mobilizing to repair and "breathe new life into computers."

It's in place to help install free and open-source operating systems like Linux distros on older devices that are still in use or those discarded by people and companies who've already upgraded to Windows 11 following Microsoft's decision. These efforts are part of the group's broader efforts to curb "an enormous increase in electronic waste."

Elsewhere, a group called 'End of 10' has been advocating for users to ditch Windows 10 for Linux as the operating system's end-of-support date edges closer. It cites a lack of ads and telemetry tracking as the main selling points for its agenda.

It'll be interesting to see how Microsoft's decision to cut support for Windows 10 will affect its dominance in the market share (if at all), and whether users will ditch the ecosystem for a free and open-source operating system like a Linux distro despite software compatibility challenges.

Are you still running Windows 10 on your device? What's your plan beyond Microsoft's free security updates? Will you be switching to Linux? Share your thoughts with me in the comments.

Before I go any further, I want to start by saying I am not a software engineer or a developer of anything. The furthest from it. But I'm a hobbyist who spends more time than I probably should inside a terminal.

Not only is it useful to learn some skills and be comfortable in the terminal, but I find it strangely relaxing, free from distractions. And, of course, as someone who enjoys Linux, it's always handy to be familiar with a terminal.

By default, they're mostly pretty bland to look at. But it doesn't have to be that way. If you're going to spend a good amount of time in the terminal, why wouldn't you want it to look visually appealing and even add a little more functionality?

Specifically looking at Windows Terminal here, be it for PowerShell or WSL, here are three simple ways to spruce up your command line experience that even newcomers can use with ease.

1. Starship prompt

Starting with the prompt, I always use Starship. Why? Because it looks good, it's easily customizable, and it's cross-shell, which means I can use it on whatever I'm tinkering with this month.

That includes PowerShell, and one of the major reasons I enjoy using it is that I can apply the exact same configuration to both PowerShell and every WSL distro I'm using. A note, though; you need to have a NerdFont installed for Starship to function properly.

The installation process is simple on either PowerShell or WSL. For PowerShell, you can install it using the Windows Package Manager, on WSL, from a variety of package managers, or by entering the below into the terminal:

curl -sS https://starship.rs/install.sh | sh

The Starship installer will give you your next steps to apply it to your shell, but they, too, can be found in the documentation. It involves adding a command to your shell's profile in order to load it up.

If that's Bash for WSL, you simply add this line to your .bashrc file at the bottom:

eval "$(starship init bash)"

For PowerShell, add this to your profile:

Invoke-Expression (&starship init powershell)

I'll touch on the PowerShell profile a little at the foot of this post if you're unsure of what it is or where to find it.

Customization is done via a config file, which you will need to make. Whether in PowerShell or WSL, you can use this command:

mkdir -p ~/.config && touch ~/.config/starship.toml

This will create a blank config file in the .config directory. Linux will have this directory already, but for PowerShell on Windows 11, it will be created for you in your User directory.

But where do you begin? Just jump into some of the templates in the Starship documentation, or get out there on GitHub. There are plenty of examples out there that, alongside the documentation, will quickly have you up to speed.

TOML is what you'll be writing it in, but it's nothing crazy or complicated.

You'll find my own Starship config file here. It's not fancy, but I like it. It adds features like Git integration for branches, status and commits, returns Starship to a single-line prompt, and shows battery information for when I'm on a laptop. It's basic, but it'll get you started.

2. Fastfetch

Is it really a terminal without system information loading up when you first open it? That's where Fastfetch comes in. It's a newer, and still supported, take on Neofetch, which was old, clunky, and now discontinued.

The best part? Like Starship, it supports both Windows and Linux, so you can use it in PowerShell and WSL with the same configuration for a consistent experience.

Installing is easy, through the various Linux package managers, and the likes of winget, Chocolatey, and Scoop on Windows 11. Check the GitHub Repo for the full instructions.

Customization isn't something I've dived into much myself, but the template in the images above is simply one I found via Reddit.

First, create a config file using this command:

fastfetch --gen-config

It'll go into your .config folder inside the Fastfetch directory. Same for both PowerShell and WSL.

From here on out, either trawl sources such as GitHub for templates other folks have made, or dive into the wiki and get poking around! I can't necessarily tell you why I, or others, just have to have this in our terminal windows, but it feels empty, naked, even, without it.

Fastfetch also supports custom images, not just ASCII art, so you can really go to town on it.

3. Windows Terminal customizations

When you're on Windows 11, there's a good chance you're using Windows Terminal. I mean, why wouldn't you? It's superb.

To add a little extra spice, you can make a bunch of customizations to Windows Terminal. In my case, all I've done is add the Dracula Theme, tweak the font size and line spacing a little, add some transparency, and one little touch specific to PowerShell.

You can play around with the settings inside the app using the GUI, or if you prefer to get in the weeds, edit the JSON file. If you want to add custom themes, you'll need to go in here, in any case.

The other reason to go in there is to make that little line at the top of your PowerShell window telling you the latest version number go away. It was really bugging me, then it turns out, you just add a single line to the JSON file.

Put this into the PowerShell block, right after the "name" line:

"commandline": "pwsh.exe -nologo",

Now you'll have a clean prompt, and if you're using Fastfetch, you won't have a line of text above it.

But, in combination with the other two tools listed here, a few little finishing touches to Windows Terminal can go a long way.

A note on PowerShell profiles

Admittedly, I'm not exactly a PowerShell wizard, and I had to find this out for myself so it might be useful. Out of the gate, PowerShell will tell you where your profile lives, but it doesn't exist.

I mean, it is made by Microsoft, what can we expect?

To apply Starship and Fastfetch at boot, you'll need to add them to your PowerShell profile. First, you need to make one. Enter this command into PowerShell.

if (!(Test-Path -Path $PROFILE)) {  New-Item -ItemType File -Path $PROFILE -Force}

This will create a PowerShell directory inside your User Documents folder, and inside it will be a blank PowerShell Profile.

When it's created, you can enter the commands above for Fastfetch and Starship, save, then reload PowerShell, and you'll be off to the races.

You can, of course, do much more with your PowerShell profile, but for the purposes of what we're doing here, two lines are enough.

And that's all there is to having a clean, but attractive experience across both PowerShell and your WSL distros!

There's been an increase in talk of Linux in recent times. Be that the expansion of SteamOS beyond the Steam Deck, or, more contentiously, in relation to the end of life (but not really, now) of Windows 10.

It reminded me of something that emerged a little while ago that I had yet to have a proper look at. So I'm rectifying that, today.

AnduinOS is Linux. But in the context of this website, it has a little extra special sauce, in that its creator is a Microsoft software engineer, Anduin Xue.

As far as side projects go, it's pretty spectacular. It's also quite possibly one of the friendliest Linux distros I've tried when it comes to folks who may well be moving over from Windows, be it 10 or 11.

Built by one person, it's pretty astonishing how good it is.

AnduinOS isn't a carbon copy of Windows, but it has that familiarity

The most obviously striking thing about AnduinOS is its similarity in appearance to Windows 11. Naturally, it's not an exact likeness, but it's familiar, right down to the weather widget in the lower left corner.

The 'Start Menu' is centralized, opens up into a box as it does on Windows 11, and the All Apps list is just that, a list. The widgets in the bottom right also have a Windows-esque feel to them.

This is, of course, by design. But putting myself in the shoes of someone who might be trying this having decided to try something that isn't Windows, it's reassuring.

It's like draping a comfort blanket around yourself. Not in the least bit overwhelming.

The beauty of Linux is that if you have the knowhow, you can make it look and behave pretty much however you want it to. If you were driven to make it look even more like Windows 11, there's almost certainly a way.

What's nice about AnduinOS — and it doesn't just apply to this distro anymore — is that you could pick it up having been a Windows user and just get right to it. Things live in the same places, and for the most part, it feels similar to Windows to use.

When it originally released, it didn't have an app store, but now it does. With Flatpak built in as standard, and the stock software 'store' you can pretty much install what you need without touching the terminal. The same goes for updates.

That includes Microsoft Edge, which is the same browser you'd get on Windows 11.

Of course, it's Linux, so it does have a terminal. But if you're a beginner, you don't have to suddenly become a command line pro in order to use AnduinOS.

What makes AnduinOS tick underneath

AnduinOS' mission statement reads as:

"AnduinOS is a custom Ubuntu-based Linux distribution that aims to facilitate developers transitioning from Windows to Linux by maintaining familiar operational habits and workflows."

It's doing this by using some of (though opinions always differ) the most beginner-friendly bits of Linux. Underneath it's Ubuntu, the place many new users start out, and the desktop environment is built using GNOME.

Ultimately it's easy to use, but also customizable, and should be stable. There are also two different versions, one an LTS with support until 2029, and one based on a more current rolling release.

The ISO for AnduinOS is also pretty darn small. Under 2GB small. It's not heavy on resources, either, so should be good on older and lower powered hardware. I've been trying it out in a modestly equipped VM, and it's been snappy and just an overall joy to use.

A great place to start with Linux

I really do feel like being built by someone who works at Microsoft has given AnduinOS a little extra credibility as an alternative to Windows.

It's easy to use, will run well on a huge range of hardware, and if you so desire, can be tweaked and extended accordingly.

Despite being built by a solo developer, too, the documentation is extensive and simple to follow if you want to get a little more out of your setup. Including gaming.

If you've been thinking of trying Linux, you could do a lot worse than trying AnduinOS first.

Update: Added information on signing up to use Red Hat without an enterprise subscription.

Back in April, Fedora 42 made its long-awaited arrival as an officially supported Linux distro on WSL. For Fedora lovers, such as myself, it was great news.

Since then, however, another Fedora-based distro has also, quietly, released an official image for WSL. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) Release 10 is now available, too, as of May, despite no apparent fanfare.

The IBM-owned company primarily offers RHEL to enterprise customers backed with optimizations, certification, and full support for a range of business use. It is possible, however, to sign up as a developer with Red Hat for free.

Fedora, upon which RHEL is based, is, by contrast, a community-supported project, sponsored by Red Hat.

It also sits upstream from RHEL, with a new version on average every six months. RHEL, as a business tool with a focus on stability, doesn't get upgraded as often. RHEL 10 has, at its core, Fedora 40, two versions behind.

If, however, you are a RHEL user and using it with WSL sounds interesting to you, there are a couple of options to get up and going. The Red Hat documentation has all the details, but essentially, you're able to download either a pre-built image or generate a custom image.

What it also does is provide another avenue for those who need Linux workflows in their day-to-day operations the chance to combine this with Windows 11, without needing to use virtual machines.

WSL integrates seamlessly into Windows 11, and while there are still some limitations, it's very close to running a full version of Linux on top of an existing Windows 11 PC. The best of both worlds.

In a surprising (if overdue) turn of events, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and the creator of Linux, Linus Torvalds, recently met for the first time during a dinner hosted by Microsoft's Azure CTO Mark Russinovich.

Russinovich captured the iconic moment and shared it on LinkedIn with a little witty caption (via The Verge):

"No major kernel decisions were made, but maybe next dinner."

Windows and Linux have a long-standing rivalry as operating systems, though the former still holds a competitive advantage over the latter, predominantly due to its market dominance and broad app compatibility.

However, Linux attracts users because, among a wealth of other reasons, it's an open-source operating system offering wide customization options, privacy benefits, and massive cost-effectiveness.

To that end, it remains unclear what the two executives discussed over dinner, but it's fun to imagine. It'll be interesting to see if absolutely anything tangible comes from this meet-up and how it could work given the difference in ideologies for the two companies, especially with Windows 10's end-of-life around the corner.

Microsoft is seemingly focused on monetizing software through licensing to profit, while Linux leans more on collaborations with developers at the forefront. Torvalds is well known for not mincing his words and not holding back any punches when it comes to throwing lethal jabs at Microsoft (via wccftech):

"Microsoft isn't evil, they just make really crappy operating systems. PC is pretty much like air conditioning ... it becomes useless when you open windows."

Microsoft's longstanding rivalry with Linux seemingly came to an end when CEO Satya Nadella stood in front of an image with a Microsoft ❤️ Linux inscription (via PCWorld). The company joined the Linux Foundation in 2016 and now contributes to the Linux kernel, which it uses across its Azure server platform.

See? Windows and Linux users can be friends.

I love Linux. I've been using it actively since the great year we were all locked indoors in 2020 when I decided to use my time to learn about something new.

Of course, I also use and appreciate Windows, I mean, I wouldn't be much use working here if I didn't.

But as someone with toes in both waters, I feel like I'm in a place I should be talking about this topic. More and more we're seeing talk of why you might switch to Linux when Windows 10 reaches end of life (EoL).

I think more people should use Linux. Or at the very least, try it out. You can't dislike something without trying it, and I'll say that to anyone about anything.

But in this case, I also feel like there should be caution. Windows 10 reaching EoL is very real, it's happening this year, and it could well be causing a problem for someone who might read this.

As good as Linux is, and as much as I might think people should give it a go, for a lot of people it isn't going to be a magic solution when Microsoft turns out the lights on Windows 10.

Compatibility with legacy software is an issue

I guess the biggest worry for a lot of people will be that their tried and tested software might not be available on Linux. There is an element of truth in that.

If you just absolutely have to use Microsoft Office, or are a particularly heavy user of Microsoft 365, then no, you can't have that on Linux. Mostly.

Some Linux distros, such as Ubuntu, built in support for Microsoft 365 accounts in 2024, allowing you to access your OneDrive files as a remote account you can simply enable in Settings. Office apps, however, are not available on Linux.

There are alternatives, such as OpenOffice or LibreOffice, but as with switching to Google's suite of office apps, it's not necessarily the same.

The same is true of the Adobe suite, as another example. There is no Photoshop, no Premiere Pro, no After Effects. Again, there are alternatives, including the outstanding DaVinci Resolve for video editing, but alternatives aren't necessarily what folks want.

I get that.

The good news is that for Microsoft 365, there are the web apps you can use, and they're good. Adobe even has a web version of Photoshop now, albeit not the absolute full-fat version.

But it should be acknowledged that for some workflows, you simply cannot just jump to Linux. Expecting someone to change the way they do things is not something to take for granted.

For many, there will be a way to carry on with minimal disruption and be happy. But those who simply can't shouldn't be ignored. It's a very real decision an affected user has to consider.

Switch to Linux... but which Linux?

For the more adventurous, and I include myself in this, experimenting with different Linux distros is fun. It's actually something I would recommend to anyone who does make the switch.

But the fact there is no singular point I could say to everyone that you should just install means there's already a roadblock to overcome that Windows users simply aren't used to.

The obvious starting point is Ubuntu. That's where I started. But I couldn't tell you how many others I've tried before I eventually decided that I like using Fedora the most. I'm not even sure I could tell you exactly why I like Fedora the most.

But if you've only ever used Windows it can be daunting. There is a learning curve, no matter how good most modern Linux distros have become at onboarding, and being friendly to Windows-converts.

If you are interested in genuinely making the switch, I recommend trying a few different options first in a virtual machine. Try Ubuntu, try Fedora, try Linux Mint, cast the net a little and see what you like the most.

I'd argue casual users don't need Linux, or Windows 11 for that matter

Here's the real meat of things. I don't think for millions of more casual PC users that they would need to switch to Linux. Hell, for many of these people, I don't even think they need Windows, be it 10 or 11.

I'm talking about the type of user that spends most of their time using a web browser. They're browsing the internet, they're occasionally using things like Microsoft 365, but the majority of their use is done online.

For that, there's ChromeOS. Either by buying a Chromebook, often a more affordable option to a Windows laptop, or by recycling your Windows 10 machine with ChromeOS Flex.

ChromeOS is kinda sorta Linux, and like with WSL on Windows, you can fire up a full, virtualized Linux environment and use a terminal, GUI apps, and all that goodness.

But its main focus is, and always has been, the web. Web apps are king, with the added bonus of Linux apps and Android apps. Microsoft 365 setup and use is now as seamless as it can be, OneDrive can be integrated into the Files app, and you can pin the Microsoft 365 suite for online and offline use.

If you don't want to use Google Chrome as your main browser, you can install the Linux version of Microsoft Edge. But it's essentially a light, easy to use operating system, that is more usable than I'd wager many on Windows would give it credit for.

There is no simple answer over where to go from Windows 10

The real problem is that there's no simple answer. Microsoft's hardware requirements for Windows 11, paired with the impending end of Windows 10 is what's produced the conversation in the first place.

Obviously, Microsoft wants everyone to upgrade to Windows 11. Even (and perhaps especially) if it means buying a new PC.

Governments and big institutions switching to Linux is one thing, but they have resources, people, to make it happen and probably make it a success. But for the average user, it's not as simple to just up and leave.

There is a case to switch to Linux, and I wouldn't discourage anyone from giving it a go. If your PC is still perfectly usable, why not? But I am sensible enough to see all sides and urge caution. It might not be the magic fix you're looking for.

I wish I had an answer. I wish it was easy for me to say "do this" and it be right for you. For a lot of people that could be Linux, but for many more it won't be.

If you are keeping your PC no matter what, take your time, evaluate, look around. Try things, use virtual machines, and definitely also keep ChromeOS Flex in mind.

Don't get swept up in what's supposed to be the "right solution." It's only right if it works for you.

Windows 10 will reach its end of support on October 14, 2025. After that date, PCs running the older operating system will no longer receive support or updates.

Microsoft recommends Windows 11 to anyone currently using a Windows 10 PC, but getting a system with Windows 11 could prove a costly endeavor. Additionally, millions of PCs cannot upgrade to the operating system due to the minimum requirements of Windows 11.

For many, the question will be "should I buy a new PC or look at alternatives?" A recent letter from The Document Foundation makes a case for the latter.

The Document Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps with the support of LibreOffice, a free and open-source alternative to Microsoft's Office apps.

Denmark's Ministry of Digital Affairs recently shared plans to dump Windows and Office 365 in favor of Linux and LibreOffice. With Windows 10's end of support approaching, individuals may have to see if a similar move is their best option.

"The real costs of switching to Windows 11"

The Document Foundation argues that Microsoft pushing people toward Windows 11 is not solely about security:

"The move to Windows 11 isn’t just about security updates. It increases dependence on Microsoft through aggressive cloud integration, forcing users to adopt Microsoft accounts and services. It also leads to higher costs due to subscription and licensing models, and reduces control over how your computer works and how your data is managed. Furthermore, new hardware requirements will render millions of perfectly good PCs obsolete."

Many have expressed frustration over Windows 11 requiring a Microsoft account. While some workarounds have been in place for years, Microsoft blocked a popular bypass in March 2025. Windows 11 Enterprise still supports using a local account, though a Microsoft account is encouraged.

The end of Windows 10 support could cause "the single biggest jump in junked computers ever," according to a petition by the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG).

Windows 11 and Office alternatives

Windows 10 and Windows 11 are used by over one billion people. Microsoft Office has hundreds of millions of users worldwide. They are standard pieces of software across many sectors and organizations, but The Document Foundation argues that it is possible to move to alternatives.

The letter highlights the fact that Linux works on all PCs that ran Windows 10, eliminating the need to purchase new hardware to stay up to date.

LibreOffice boasts compatibility with Microsoft proprietary formats, such as DOCX, XLSX and PPTX. It is also based on ODF (Open Document Format).

"For individual users, public administrations, schools and businesses, this combination offers more than enough: it is mature and secure, and is already in use worldwide for mission-critical workloads," said The Document Foundation of Linux and LibreOffice.

Should you switch from Windows to Linux?

Linux has been around for a long time, and it is certainly an option. Those who use their PC for general productivity are likely to find the tools they need on Linux.

Some of the best gaming handhelds run SteamOS, which is a Linux-based operating system.

But Linux has its limits. Compatibility issues are a key factor. Migrating to Linux is not a viable option for those who rely on software that does not work well on Linux-based systems.

I'm confident that many organizations and individuals could migrate to Linux and be happy. But that doesn't mean Linux is right for everyone. If you're curious about Linux, I'd suggest testing Linux on a second partition of your PC. The Document Foundation makes the same recommendation.

While running Linux on a second partition, you can test software compatibility and see if the operating system can handle your workflow, all while being able to pop back over to Windows when needed.

ChatGPT has a lot of uses, but leveraging it to bypass the security of an otherwise useless tablet isn't something I was expecting.

Indeed, a savvy hardware modder from the XDA forums — who accurately goes by the handle "devicemodder" — was able to install Windows 10 and Linux Mint on a locked Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A2 tablet thanks to help from ChatGPT.

Tom's Hardware picked up on this story that, at first, doesn't seem like that big of a deal. However, the situation gets a lot more impressive with all the details filled in.

Using ChatGPT to resurrect an ancient tablet

As devicemodder explains, they picked up the Android-powered Panasonic tablet locked with Factory Reset Protection (FRP).

Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is one of Android's main security features that blocks unauthorized use following a factory reset. FRP is activated as soon as you log in with your Google account on a device, and it prevents a stolen or lost device from being usable by someone else.

To get around FRP, credentials must be re-entered following the factory reset. Usually, that's not a problem if you're on the up and up. However, not everyone selling devices has the know-how to disable FRP, and other times, a device might be so old that it's simply discarded with the idea that it won't be used by anyone else.

While this would usually herald the end of a device's life, barring access to the original user's credentials, devicemodder took advantage of the Android tablet's underlying Intel Atom X5 8550 processor and x86 UEFI BIOS to perform a rather significant hack.

They were first able to install Linux Mint on the tablet, stating it "runs well, but has a few hiccups." The process wasn't as easy as you might imagine. As devicemodder states in their forum post:

Devicemodder continues by explaining that any attempts to boot a flash drive at that point were met with SecureBoot violation errors.

Seemingly at a major hurdle in the process, devicemodder turned to ChatGPT to help tweak the device's BIOS to remove the block. Devicemodder states that they used a CH341A flash programmer — something you can buy for about $14 on Amazon — to dump the tablet's BIOS.

They then handed the dumped BIOS over to ChatGPT, ordering it to disable SecureBoot due to it having proprietary keys that were no longer available.

Happy to oblige, ChatGPT went to work and soon handed back a BIOS that was free of SecureBoot parameters to be flashed back onto the tablet.

This allowed devicemodder to plug a flash drive into the seemingly useless Panasonic tablet and install Linux Mint. While the touchscreen, cameras, and speakers needed some bug fixing, the tablet appears to have run Linux Mint just fine.

This is, of course, a simplified summary of devicemodder's work; you can check out the full ChatGPT log for this process as provided by the user.

Next stop: Windows 10 ... and beyond?

Devicemodder returned a few days later with a follow-up to the original forum post. Not only had they successfully installed Linux Mint, but they'd also now achieved a working Windows 10.

Using Windows 10 — which is set to reach end-of-life on October 14, 2025 — on a tablet that launched in 2018, designed for Android 6.0, isn't something that's going to catch on.

It is, however, an undeniably interesting use of ChatGPT. Devicemodder believes they "may be the first to attempt this" after finding no information about a similar hack online.

E-waste is a huge problem in our modern world, with countless devices getting tossed out due to solvable issues. While AI could help rescue some of that hardware for a second go around, it also makes me wonder about the future of device security as AI becomes smarter.