Switching from Windows 11 to Linux: Privacy, performance and power regained.

Adware in the Start Menu? Why millions are switching from Windows 11 to Linux

For more than three decades, Microsoft Windows defined the desktop computing experience. From homes and classrooms to boardrooms and government offices, Windows was the default. That dominance is now being challenged in a way few predicted. A growing exodus of desktop users is underway, and it is not driven by Apple or flashy new hardware.

It is driven by frustration, cost, control and a renewed appreciation for free and open software. The global conversation around switching from Windows 11 to Linux has moved from niche forums into mainstream technology, business and public policy discussions.

What makes this shift remarkable is its scale and its diversity. Individual home users, professional creatives, gamers, multinational corporations and national governments are all moving in the same direction. The trigger has been Windows 11. The destination, increasingly, is Linux.

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When the operating system stops respecting its users

The breaking point for many users has not been performance alone, but trust. Windows 11 introduced a level of intrusion that many long-time users found unacceptable. Full screen advertisements promoting Microsoft services, persistent recommendations embedded in the Start Menu, ads inside system settings and promotional content in File Explorer blurred the line between an operating system and an advertising platform.

For users who paid for their licence or bought premium hardware, the idea of adware baked into the desktop experience felt like a betrayal. Privacy concerns deepened that frustration. Microsoft’s introduction of features such as Recall, which periodically captures screenshots of user activity, raised alarms among privacy advocates, enterprises and public sector IT departments. The lack of meaningful opt out options compounded those concerns.

At the same time, Microsoft’s decision to end free security updates for Windows 10 placed millions of users under pressure to upgrade or pay. For organisations with large fleets of older but functional machines, Windows 11’s hardware requirements translated directly into forced capital expenditure. For home users, it felt like artificial obsolescence.

In short, Windows 11 gave people reasons to look elsewhere.

The data behind the migration

What followed surprised even seasoned observers. According to the Linux Foundation’s 2025 annual report, Linux desktop market share reached 11.4 percent globally, up from 3.1 percent just three years earlier. That represents a 268 percent increase in a market long considered static. More telling than the headline figure was the source of that growth. Survey data from 89,000 new Linux users showed that 87 percent previously used Windows.

This was not a marginal shift from hobbyists or developers. It was a mass migration of everyday users. Internal projections attributed to Microsoft suggest that if current trends continue, Linux could reach between 18 and 22 percent desktop market share by the end of 2026. That would place it ahead of macOS and firmly establish Linux as the second most widely used desktop operating system in the world.

For a platform that has spent two decades being labelled “the year of Linux” as a joke, the implications are profound.

Gaming, once a barrier, becomes a gateway

Gaming has historically anchored users to Windows. That anchor has loosened dramatically. The catalyst was Valve’s Steam Deck, launched in 2022. Running SteamOS, a Linux based operating system built on Arch Linux, the handheld gaming PC sold millions of units worldwide. By mid 2025, over six million devices were in users’ hands.

What those users discovered changed perceptions overnight. Through Valve’s Proton compatibility layer, Windows games ran smoothly on Linux. Performance often exceeded Windows 11 due to lower system overhead. Benchmarks comparing identical hardware configurations began circulating online, showing frame rate improvements of nearly 20 percent in popular titles.

Steam’s own hardware survey confirms the shift. Linux gaming rose from 1.4 percent of Steam users in early 2023 to 9.3 percent by December 2025. That equates to roughly 13 million gamers now playing on Linux. Once gamers realised their libraries worked, the question became unavoidable. If Linux could run their games, why not their desktops too?

Education replaces intimidation

For years, Linux suffered from a perception problem. It was seen as powerful but inaccessible, something that required command line expertise and constant troubleshooting. That barrier has been dismantled, not by marketing budgets, but by education.

YouTube has played a decisive role. Beginner friendly migration guides, some with over ten million views, walk users through every step of switching from Windows 11 to Linux. Distribution selection, bootable USB creation, installation and daily workflow are explained clearly, visually and without jargon. Comment sections are filled with users reporting successful migrations and expressing surprise at how straightforward the process was.

Creators with large professional audiences have demonstrated complete Linux workflows for video editing, graphic design, software development and office productivity. These demonstrations matter because they replace abstract claims with lived experience. They show that Linux is not only viable, but practical.

Collectively, this content has reached tens of millions of viewers. The knowledge barrier that protected Windows for decades has collapsed.

Enterprise and government adoption changes the narrative

Consumer adoption is only part of the story. The real earthquake is happening in enterprises and governments. Organisations do not change operating systems casually. The costs, risks and retraining involved are substantial. Yet Windows 11 has altered the risk calculation.

European cities have led the way. Munich’s experience is particularly instructive. After migrating 29,000 computers to Linux in 2006, the city reverted to Windows in 2017 following political pressure. That decision proved costly. Windows 10 degraded productivity and Windows 11 was deemed unacceptable. In 2025, Munich committed to a permanent return to Linux, rolling out a modernised Linux desktop to all municipal systems over two years.

Munich is not alone. Barcelona, Paris, Rome and Amsterdam have all migrated or are actively piloting Linux across tens of thousands of systems. Their conclusions are strikingly consistent. Linux costs less, performs better and does not surveil users.

Corporations are reaching similar conclusions. Deutsche Telekom migrated 60,000 employee workstations to SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop, reporting savings of €89 million compared to Windows 11 licensing and hardware upgrades. Manufacturing firms, automotive giants and technology companies are following suit, often starting with pilots that rapidly expand once results are measured.

When conservative industries move away from Windows, the shift is no longer theoretical.

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Linux grows up on the desktop

This migration is possible because Linux itself has changed. Modern distributions bear little resemblance to their predecessors. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS installs faster than Windows 11 and typically works out of the box with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, printers and graphics hardware. The post installation experience is clean and uncluttered.

Pop OS, developed by System76, has gained traction among users switching from Windows. Its interface feels familiar, its NVIDIA driver support is built in and its focus is on productivity rather than experimentation. Linux Mint deliberately recreates the Windows 7 experience for users who feel alienated by modern Windows design choices. Fedora offers a polished, cutting edge desktop backed by enterprise grade foundations.

These distributions are stable, predictable and well supported. For most users, the technical barrier has vanished.

Application compatibility reaches a tipping point

Another historic obstacle to switching from Windows 11 to Linux was software compatibility. That obstacle is eroding rapidly. Web based applications now dominate business workflows, rendering operating system differences largely irrelevant. Email, collaboration tools, customer relationship platforms and accounting systems run in browsers.

For desktop software, mature alternatives exist. LibreOffice supports Microsoft Office formats well enough for most organisations, often delivering significant cost savings. Creative professionals now rely on tools such as DaVinci Resolve, Blender, Krita and Inkscape, all of which run natively on Linux and are widely used in professional environments.

Where Windows only applications remain essential, compatibility layers such as Wine and management tools like Bottles simplify execution. Virtual machines provide a fallback for edge cases, allowing users to retain one Windows application without surrendering their entire system.

Gaming compatibility through Proton completes the picture. With over 12,000 verified games and many thousands more playable, Linux now supports the majority of typical gaming libraries.

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Community support replaces vendor dependency

Support is another area where Linux has quietly surpassed Windows. Rather than paid helpdesks and scripted responses, Linux users rely on communities. Forums, Reddit groups, Discord servers and documentation wikis provide detailed, timely and often superior assistance.

New users frequently report learning more about their computers in weeks on Linux than in decades on Windows. Problems are explained, not dismissed. That empowerment fosters loyalty.

A structural shift, not a trend

As of late 2025, Windows desktop share continues to decline while Linux accelerates. Projections suggesting Linux could approach one fifth of all desktop systems by the end of 2026 would have seemed absurd a decade ago. Today, they look plausible.

At that point, software developers and hardware manufacturers will no longer be able to ignore Linux. Network effects will reverse. Linux will become a default consideration rather than an alternative.

This shift is not driven by ideology. It is driven by experience. Windows 11 gave users reasons to leave. Linux gave them reasons to stay. For millions, the switch has already happened, and few are looking back.

Switching to Linux

Step one: decide why you are switching and what you actually need

Before touching your computer, be clear about what you use Windows 11 for day to day. Most people browse the web, manage email, work with documents, attend video calls, edit photos, watch media and occasionally play games. Linux handles all of these comfortably. If you rely on a very specific Windows only application, note it now. In many cases there is a Linux equivalent, a web version, or a way to run it through compatibility tools or a virtual machine later.

This step matters because Linux is not about copying Windows exactly. It is about choosing a system that respects your time, hardware and privacy. Once you understand that, the transition becomes smoother.

Step two: choose the right Linux distribution for Windows users

For people switching from Windows 11, the choice of Linux distribution makes a big difference. Some are designed specifically to feel familiar and minimise friction.

Ubuntu is the safest starting point for most users. It has excellent hardware support, strong community documentation and long term support releases that remain stable for years. Pop OS is ideal if you use modern hardware or an NVIDIA graphics card, especially for gaming or creative work. Linux Mint is perfect for users who liked Windows 7 and dislike modern Windows design choices, as its layout feels instantly familiar.

Download only from the official website of the distribution you choose. Avoid unofficial mirrors or modified builds.

Step three: back up everything before you change anything

This is non-negotiable. Copy all important files to an external drive, USB stick or cloud storage. Documents, photos, videos, browser bookmarks and saved passwords should all be backed up. If something exists in only one place, back it up twice.

Linux installation is safe, but mistakes happen and preparation removes all stress from the process.

Step four: create a Linux installation USB on Windows 11

You will need a USB flash drive of at least 8GB. Download a trusted USB creation tool such as Rufus or Balena Etcher on your Windows system. Insert the USB drive, select the Linux ISO file you downloaded and let the tool write it to the USB.

This process does not erase your Windows installation yet. It simply creates a bootable Linux installer.

Step five: test Linux without installing it

Restart your computer and enter the boot menu. This is usually done by pressing a key such as F12, F10 or Escape during startup. Select the USB drive.

Most Linux distributions allow you to run a live session without installing anything. This lets you test Wi-Fi, sound, screen resolution, Bluetooth and general performance. Spend time here. Open applications, browse the web and confirm that your hardware works properly.

If something feels wrong at this stage, you can simply shut down and return to Windows with no changes made.

Step six: decide between dual booting and full replacement

At this point you have two sensible options. You can install Linux alongside Windows, known as dual booting, or you can replace Windows entirely.

Dual booting is recommended if you are cautious or need Windows occasionally. It allows you to choose which system to start when the computer turns on. Full replacement removes Windows and gives Linux full control of the system, which delivers the best performance and simplicity.

The installer will guide you through this choice clearly. Read each screen carefully and take your time.

Step seven: install Linux and let it do the work

Linux installation is now simpler than Windows 11. Choose your language, keyboard layout, time zone and user password. The system installs itself automatically, usually within 15 to 25 minutes.

When the installer finishes, remove the USB drive and restart. You are now running Linux.

Step eight: update the system and install essentials

After your first login, run the system update tool. Linux updates are fast, transparent and do not interrupt your work. Once updated, install essential applications.

Most Linux systems include a software centre similar to an app store. From here you can install browsers, office software, media players and creative tools with one click. Firefox usually comes preinstalled, but Chrome and others are available.

LibreOffice replaces Microsoft Office for most users. VLC handles media playback. Zoom, Slack and Teams all work on Linux either as apps or in the browser.

Step nine: migrate your workflow properly

Take time to recreate your daily workflow rather than rushing. Set up email accounts, sync cloud storage, customise the desktop layout and keyboard shortcuts. Linux allows far more control than Windows, but you do not need to use it all at once.

If you game, install Steam and enable Proton in the settings. Most of your library will work immediately. If you rely on one Windows only application, explore Wine, Bottles or a virtual machine later rather than on day one.

Step ten: learn where to get help and stay confident

Linux does not rely on call centres or paid support. Its strength is community knowledge. Reddit, official forums, Discord servers and YouTube tutorials provide faster and more useful help than most commercial support channels.

When something breaks, the system usually tells you why. That transparency is one of the biggest long term benefits of switching from Windows 11 to Linux.

Final reassurance

Switching from Windows 11 to Linux is no longer a leap into the unknown. It is a controlled, reversible process supported by mature software, massive documentation and millions of users who have already made the move.

The most important step is starting. Once you do, you will quickly understand why so many people never go back.

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