Should I Switch to Linux in 2026? The Honest Answer

TL;DR

Linux desktop usage hit 5% in the US for the first time in 2026, driven by Windows 10’s end-of-life and restrictive Windows 11 hardware requirements. If your PC can’t run Windows 11 (no TPM 2.0), switching to Linux is your most secure option. Modern distros like Ubuntu and Linux Mint are genuinely user-friendly now, gaming works surprisingly well, and it’s completely free.

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Linux Is Actually Growing
Why Are People Switching Now?
The Windows 10 Problem Nobody Talks About
What Linux Can Do (And Can’t Do)
Gaming on Linux: Better Than You Think
Which Linux Should You Pick?
The Real Costs of Switching
3 Steps to Test Linux Without Risk
Summary
Sources
Important Links

The Numbers Don't Lie: Linux Is Actually Growing

Here’s something wild: Linux desktop market share crossed 5% in the United States for the first time ever in 2025, reaching 5.03% according to StatCounter. Globally, it sits at around 4.1%. That might sound tiny, but context matters—it took Linux two decades to hit 1%, another decade to reach 2%, and just three years to double from 2.76% (2022) to over 5% today.

The acceleration is real. Among developers surveyed by Stack Overflow in 2025, 27.8% use Ubuntu for professional work, with significant adoption of Debian, Arch, Fedora, and other distros. The US Digital Analytics Program, tracking over 5,000 federal websites, reports 6% of visitors running Linux—and when you include Android and ChromeOS (both Linux-kernel based), that number jumps to 23%.

Why should you care? Because momentum matters. Software support, hardware compatibility, and community resources all grow with market share. Linux isn’t a niche hobby OS anymore—it’s hitting mainstream viability.

Why Are People Switching Now?

Three converging factors turned 2025 into “the year of the Linux desktop” (and this time, it’s not a meme):

1. Windows 10 End-of-Life Crisis

Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. No more security patches, no bug fixes, no technical support. Running an unsupported OS is a security nightmare—like leaving your front door unlocked in a bad neighborhood.

Microsoft offers a paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program at $30 for one extra year, but you’re just delaying the inevitable. And if you think “I’ll just keep using Windows 10 anyway,” consider this: 61% of PCs globally still run Windows 10 as of late 2024, and most will become vulnerable attack vectors.

2. The TPM 2.0 Wall

Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module), a hardware security chip. Microsoft calls this requirement “non-negotiable” and explicitly states TPM 2.0 is “not just a recommendation—it’s a necessity”.

The problem? Millions of perfectly functional PCs lack TPM 2.0. They can’t officially upgrade to Windows 11, leaving users with three bad choices:

Buy new hardware ($800-2000+)
Pay Microsoft $30/year for security updates
Use unsupported, risky workarounds to bypass TPM requirements

Or… switch to Linux, which runs beautifully on that “obsolete” hardware.

3. Gaming Finally Works

Valve’s Steam Deck changed everything. The handheld console runs Linux (SteamOS), and Valve invested heavily in Proton, a compatibility layer that lets Windows games run on Linux. Result? Linux now holds 3.20% of Steam’s gaming market share—an all-time high.

Thousands of Windows games now work flawlessly on Linux without any porting. ProtonDB shows “Platinum” (works perfectly) or “Gold” ratings for the vast majority of popular titles. Anti-cheat support from EasyAntiCheat and BattlEye opened up multiplayer gaming too.

The Windows 10 Problem Nobody Talks About

Let’s be blunt: if your PC doesn’t have TPM 2.0, Microsoft essentially declared it e-waste. But why?

The TPM 2.0 requirement exists for legitimate security reasons—it enables BitLocker encryption, Secure Boot verification, and hardware-isolated credential storage. These features do make Windows 11 more secure against firmware attacks and sophisticated malware.

However, the implementation creates collateral damage. CPUs released before 2018 lack hardware-level support for virtualization-based security (VBS) and HVCI, which means even if you add a TPM module, your system might still face compatibility issues or performance degradation.

The real question isn’t “Is Windows 11 better?” It’s “Is buying a new PC worth $1000+ when my current hardware works fine for everything I do?”

For many people, the answer is no. Which makes Linux not just viable, but practical.

What Linux Can Do (And Can't Do)

What Works Great

Everyday Computing: Web browsing (Firefox, Chrome), email, document editing (LibreOffice has excellent Microsoft Office compatibility), media playback, photo editing (GIMP, Darktable), and video editing (DaVinci Resolve, Kdenlive) all work smoothly.

Development: Linux is the developer OS. Native support for Python, JavaScript, Go, Rust, Docker, Kubernetes—basically every modern development tool runs better on Linux than Windows. The terminal is powerful, package managers are elegant, and the workflow just… makes sense.

Privacy & Security: No telemetry collecting your every keystroke. No forced updates. No ads in your start menu. You control your computer, not Microsoft. Security updates are fast and transparent.

Hardware Longevity: That 10-year-old laptop gathering dust? Linux will revive it. Lightweight distros like Linux Mint Xfce or Lubuntu run smoothly on ancient hardware that Windows 11 rejected.

Cost: Zero dollars. Forever. No subscriptions, no licenses, no “activation.” Install Linux on unlimited machines.

What’s Still Tricky

Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Illustrator don’t run natively. Alternatives exist (GIMP, DaVinci Resolve, Inkscape), but there’s a learning curve and feature gaps. If you’re a professional creative tied to Adobe workflows, Linux requires workarounds or dual-booting.

Microsoft Office: LibreOffice handles .docx files well, but complex Excel macros or advanced PowerPoint animations might break. Google Workspace in-browser works perfectly though.

Some Specialized Software: Proprietary industry software (CAD, specific medical/scientific applications) may not have Linux versions. Always check before switching.

Printer Setup: Sometimes plug-and-play, sometimes requires tinkering. Modern printers usually work fine, but obscure models might need manual driver installation.

Gaming on Linux: Better Than You Think

Remember when “Linux gaming” was an oxymoron? Those days are over.

Proton Changed Everything: Valve’s compatibility layer, built on Wine, translates Windows game calls to Linux. Most games install and run through Steam without any configuration. Just click play. Proton 10.0 brings “huge stability gains” with expanded title compatibility.

Performance: Many games run at near-native Windows speeds. Some older titles actually perform better on Linux due to lower system overhead. The Steam Deck proves this—it’s literally just Linux running Windows games.

What Works:

Single-player games: 90%+ of Steam’s library
Multiplayer: Most major titles now support Linux, including Apex Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and many others after Easy Anti-Cheat added support
Emulation: RetroArch and standalone emulators run excellently

What Doesn’t:

Games with incompatible anti-cheat (shrinking list)
Some new AAA releases at launch (usually fixed within weeks)
Xbox Game Pass (streaming might work, native client doesn’t)

Check ProtonDB.com before switching if gaming is your primary concern. Search your favorite games—you’ll likely be surprised how many have “Platinum” ratings.

Which Linux Should You Pick?

This is where beginners get paralyzed by choice. Don’t overthink it. Here are the top picks for 2026:

Linux Mint (Best for Windows Refugees)

Linux Mint is “widely regarded as the most user-friendly Linux distribution for desktop users, especially those transitioning from Windows”. The interface looks familiar, everything works out-of-the-box (multimedia codecs included), and the community is massive. Start here.

Good for: Ex-Windows users, older hardware, people who just want things to work

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Best for Versatility)

The most popular distro with 20+ million users. Long-term support (5 years of updates), massive software repository, extensive documentation for everything. If you have questions, someone’s already answered them.

Good for: Developers, people who need broad software support, anyone wanting maximum community resources

Pop!_OS (Best for Gaming & NVIDIA)

Built by System76 specifically for gaming and content creation. Ships with NVIDIA drivers pre-installed, includes gaming optimizations, and has a clean interface. Based on Ubuntu, so you get all that compatibility.

Good for: Gamers, NVIDIA GPU owners, people who don’t want to tinker

Fedora Workstation (Best for Latest Features)

Cutting-edge software while maintaining stability. Popular among developers who want access to newest compilers, libraries, and tools without waiting for LTS cycles.

Good for: Developers, early adopters, tech enthusiasts

Avoid diving into Arch Linux, Gentoo, or other “advanced” distros as a beginner. They’re powerful but require Linux knowledge you don’t have yet.

The Real Costs of Switching

Linux is free software, but switching has costs:

Time Cost: Expect 2-4 hours to download, install, and configure your first Linux distro. Add another few hours learning the interface and finding Linux equivalents to your Windows apps.

Learning Curve: You’ll Google things. “How do I install software?” “Why isn’t my WiFi working?” Most issues have been solved—just search your distro name + problem.

Compatibility Checking: Before switching, verify:

Does your must-have software run on Linux?
Check ProtonDB if you’re a gamer
Test your printer and peripherals with a live USB

Potential Migration Path: You don’t have to go all-in. Dual-boot Windows and Linux, boot Linux by default, keep Windows around for that one app you need monthly.

Opportunity Cost: If you need Windows-specific professional software and alternatives don’t cut it, switching might hamper productivity. Be honest about your requirements.

3 Steps to Test Linux Without Risk

Never commit before testing. Here’s your zero-risk evaluation plan:

Step 1: Make a Live USB (30 minutes)

Download your chosen distro’s ISO file (Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or Pop!_OS recommended)
Download Balena Etcher (free USB creation tool)
Plug in an 8GB+ USB stick (will be erased)
Use Etcher to write the ISO to the USB
Reboot, enter BIOS (usually F12, F2, or Delete during startup), select USB boot

You’re now running Linux from the USB stick without touching your hard drive. Everything resets when you reboot normally.

Step 2: Test Your Workflow (1-2 days)

Use Linux from the USB for daily tasks:

Browse the web
Check email
Edit documents
Install and test your critical apps
Connect your printer, peripherals
If you game, install Steam and check ProtonDB ratings

Take notes on what works and what doesn’t.

Step 3: Decide: Dual-Boot or Full Switch

Option A - Dual Boot: Install Linux alongside Windows. When you boot up, choose which OS to load. Keep Windows as a safety net.

Option B - Full Switch: Back up everything important, wipe Windows, install Linux. The clean-slate approach—no looking back.

Option C - Stay on Windows: If Linux doesn’t meet your needs, that’s okay. You lost nothing but time, and at least now you know.

Summary

Should you switch to Linux in 2025? Here’s the decision tree:

Switch if:

Your PC can’t run Windows 11 (no TPM 2.0)
You’re privacy-conscious and hate telemetry
You’re a developer or tech enthusiast
Gaming isn’t your primary use (or you checked ProtonDB and most of your games work)
You want a free, long-term solution
You’re willing to invest a weekend learning something new

Don’t switch if:

You depend on Adobe Creative Suite professionally
You need Windows-only enterprise software with no alternatives
You’re unwilling to troubleshoot occasional issues
Your AAA games use incompatible anti-cheat

Investigate further if:

You’re on the fence—make a live USB and test drive it
Gaming is important—check ProtonDB for your library
You have specialized hardware/software needs

The Linux ecosystem in 2026 is genuinely ready for mainstream desktop use. The tools work, the hardware compatibility is solid, and the community support is massive. Windows 10’s end-of-life isn’t just pushing people toward Linux—it’s removing the last excuses for not trying it.

Is it perfect? No. Is it usable, stable, secure, and free? Absolutely. For millions of people facing the Windows 11 upgrade dilemma, Linux isn’t just an alternative—it’s the most sensible choice.