I’ve been dual-booting Windows 11 and Linux in total harmony throughout 2025 — Microsoft is in no danger of a mass exodus (unless it fumbles AI in Windows 12)

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I’ve tried Linux before, but always ended up switching back to Windows. That changed in 2025 when I committed to using a single Linux distribution. Because my main computer has a lot of powerful parts – like a high-end RTX 4090 graphics card – I started using a small, energy-efficient PC for everyday tasks, which made me more open to trying Linux full-time.

If you browse most social media sites and look at what people are saying about Windows 11, you’ll find a lot of negative feedback. The situation got worse when Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 10, leaving many users with older computers in a tough spot – either pay for continued support or upgrade to Windows 11.

While the software was designed to run on specific hardware, some people couldn’t meet those requirements. Technically, experienced users have always found ways around them. But even if more people were eager to upgrade, which didn’t seem to happen in 2025, that wouldn’t have mattered much.

I recently asked our readers what they disliked about Windows 11. Many mentioned familiar issues like the Start menu and apps using too much memory. Others agreed that Windows 11 includes too much artificial intelligence in places where it’s unnecessary, like the Copilot feature in Notepad.

I removed Windows from my mini PC and installed Linux right away. I’m using Linux on my main gaming PC now, as it was necessary.

Blake, Windows Central community

The future of Windows, and whether Windows 12 will be a truly intelligent operating system, seems to hinge on Microsoft’s continued investment in both on-device and cloud-based AI. Whether this matters depends on how far Microsoft goes. If more features become required, and users lose control as AI takes over more functions, we could see some people refusing to upgrade, similar to what happened with older versions of Windows.

The “Iron Wall” is familiarity, not compatibility

If a significant number of users are considering switching from Windows, what operating systems would they choose? While Linux is an option, its lack of native support for certain well-known applications might make macOS a more practical choice. However, in my opinion, the limited app availability isn’t a major obstacle, as many free and open-source alternatives are available.

Linux isn’t perfect; I sometimes encounter hardware issues across different distributions. While these problems are usually fixable, spending half an hour searching for solutions online isn’t ideal for most people. Right now, I’ve found it easier to convince Windows users to switch by showing them Linux desktop environments that look similar to what they’re used to.

When I first started exploring Linux distributions, Fedora and Linux Mint were the most user-friendly, thanks to desktop environments like KDE Plasma and Cinnamon. I especially appreciated Fedora, as it uses the same interface as the Steam Deck when you switch it to Desktop Mode instead of Gaming Mode.

Many gamers believe we make up a large part of all PC users – I used to think so too – but actually, we’re a very small percentage.

If you start looking at other options, you’ll find popular choices like WINUX and Zorin OS. Zorin OS is particularly good for people switching from Windows or macOS, as it offers a familiar interface based on the GNOME shell. While those two are worth considering, I’d recommend Linux Mint to beginners for general use and Bazzite for anyone interested in PC gaming.

Distros like Bazzite might encourage more people to use Linux alongside Windows 10 or 11, especially since they can boost performance in some games. However, while gamers often feel like a large group of PC users, we actually represent a small percentage overall.

I keep running into a few frustrating issues that make me switch back to Windows 11. Specifically, I’m having trouble backing up my Blu-ray collection to an external drive when using Linux – I just don’t have the time to fix the errors. Everything works smoothly on my main Windows drive, including programs like Adobe Creative Suite, but I realize a lot of my software choices are just out of habit.

Despite some early shifts in operating system popularity, I don’t expect Microsoft to lose its lead in the desktop OS market anytime soon—at least not in the next ten years. If I were to guess what might worry long-time Windows users, it would be how Microsoft integrates and manages the new AI features in future versions of the operating system.

While this likely won’t bother most people – as few regularly think about the ethics of AI – I can’t overlook the negative reactions to Firefox adding AI features, and the widespread dislike of AI seen on social media.

Windows remains dominant in the tech world, so small changes in market share aren’t a major worry right now. Apple is better positioned to benefit from increased macOS usage, and could really gain ground if they release more affordable MacBooks around 2026. That would likely happen long before Linux becomes a mainstream desktop operating system.

With the current issues surrounding RAM costs, truly affordable computers might be unrealistic. Hopefully, CES 2026 will bring some positive developments in that area. Microsoft could also win back loyal customers by delivering genuine innovation next year, instead of just making minor updates – and hopefully, they’ll follow through with whatever they announce.

Will Linux ever replace Windows as the most popular operating system, or will people simply use both? And how does Apple’s macOS fit into this picture? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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2025-12-26 23:10